Constipation Post-Op

I can totally relate...I ended up having an enema my third night in hospital and then still no BM before going home but was passing gas so got released! Finally had good movement going then all of a sudden into week 2 everything just stopped. (I'm celebrating week #6 tomorrow!!) Anyway....the save all for me is pretty nasty tasting but my doctor's office said it will do the trick....Magnesium Citrate. I was also taking pain meds vicodin and didn't want to run into trouble - so check with your doc! I tell you it was my SALVATION. I actually kept an extra bottle in the fridge - and get the cherry flavor! Hope this helps...now I'm just on regular diet and exercise and all is good!

stool softners never work for me. i used milk of magnesia and diet herbal tea. both let you really go to the bathroom with no strain. good luck!

I use baby food and juices. It helped after both my kids, tubal and appendectomy. The fruits work best. To my surprise this time around a nice hot cup of coffee worked wonders.

I, too, had a TAH with a vertical incision. Stool softeners have worked for me, along with warm prune juice, plenty of water, and as much walking as I can handle. I still get fairly severe pain, however, due to the gas.

I had my TAH with a horizontal incision Tuesday the 12th. No BM yet and I've been eating (a little), drinking and taking a stool softener. I was never "normal" about BM's before the surgery, so going without one for a few days happens but I'm starting to get concerned now. I've been taking two stool softeners a day with a full glass of water each time and nothing. I've been passing gas, but no urge for the big party

I'm going to buy prune juice, applesauce and all-bran cereal and mix up a batch of Hystersister's Party dip and see if that brings some relief. What concerns me is I've been putting off taking the iron pills until I "produce" since those tend to constipate. They wanted me to start those since my blood count was low. I'm sure the Percodan isn't helping things along but I can't do without those at this point.

UGH, this is starting to consume my every waking thought

Hey Ladies,

Good news...I've been combining a few remedies and things are finally starting to move. I'm now on to magnesium citrate as I hear it can work really well. I tried taking it for stress pre-surgery and couldn't even handle half the recommended amount because it got my system working too well. Now I've had double the standard dose, and as I said, just a little movement (along with a really high-fibre diet!). I figure tomorrow will be the real test of whether I'm doing to much for this now.

I hope all you who are also having problems with this are finding some relief. I'll keep you posted on what I'm doing as the days unfold in hopes it could be of some help.

Blessings and much healing to all of you!