how long does it take for bowels and peeing to settle back to normal?

Hi April 12 Laproscopic hysterectomy, SBO, coplosususpension, colpopexy and posterior repair. Bowels and peeing still tricky. when should expect them to return to normal (ie pre-op -bowels fine, peeing fine but slight urgency)? Surgery went fine. Exhausted - hard to know how active I should be. Might need HRT even though 58 and had good menopause few years ago. Are phytoestrogens adequate - can I avoid HRT or is it impossible to take in enough estrogen? Thank you so much.

I had surgeries similar to yours on March 28th and I can't say that I'm back to normal yet.

I'm going and all without problems, but it still doesn't feel "normal" to me and if this is my new normal then I'm definitely not used to it.

When I have to pee then I really have to pee. I can hold it and don't have any leakage, but the urge is so strong that I head to the potty right away. Same with the BMs. And the feelings I get when I have to go are completely in different places and feel completely different.

I am starting to get used to this new normal, but at 16 days like you are I definitely was NOT.

While I only had a partial hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removed) and not those types of surgeries, I can tell you that those functions returned to normal in about a week and a half.

Hope it starts sorting itself out soon for you! Hugs!

I didn't have your type of surgery, but mine took about 4 weeks.

Day 12 was my first bowel movement. No issues with peeing. Still 4 weeks on Monday my bowels are still adjusting. I am on meds for boweel infection and have IBS so I may not be the best judge. Be patient. I took Colace - stool softeners or try senokot. I'll be on HRT for 10 years till I turn 52. Apparantely once closer to menopausal age I will stop. Hopefully you will not need it. check wth doc.

Thanks girls - I guess we have to wait and see what the new "normal" is in a few weeks time. Sure hope it is better than this as I don't feel I can be far from home! X

	Quote:
Originally Posted by user I didn't have your type of surgery, but mine took about 4 weeks.

Total hysterectomy, uterus, cervix, both ovaries April 2.

The nurse on duty when I was discharged told me it would take about 6 weeks for the bowels to return to normal. I think I did better than that, but it takes a little while for them to get back on an even keel just from the bowel prep and pre-surgery fasting. Be patient. Drink lots of fluids. The same nurse told me to eat comfort foods and avoid gassy foods. This seemed to help. At first I stuck to comfort foods and my veggies were mostly well-cooked in soups or stews. Only gradually did I start eating salads or crunchy-cooked veggies, or gassy veggies such as broccoli.

It's been a little over 5 weeks for me. Peeing hasn't really been an issue. Prior to surgery I was peeing ever hour and half because of all the fibroids pressing on my bladder so, really, it's been a nice relief. As far as BMs, though, that's a totally different story. I'm nowhere near "normal".

It took a full six weeks before bowels and bladder felt anywhere near normal. then as each week passed after that things got more normal.