Is a bowel prep necessary?

I'm reading on here that a lot of people are doing a bowel prep. My doctor didn't say anything about doing one, just not to eat heavy the night before. My surgery is tomorrow morning and I am scared to death. I'm having a total abdominal hysterectomy and I'm nervous about waking up in tremendous pain.

Thanks so much for all your support!

I didn't do a bowel prep, and I was fine. Some doctors order them and others don't. A very wise sister explained that the logic behind a bowl prep is to have the bowels take up a little less space, and if they are nicked, there is less chance of leakage that may cause infection. Bowel preps are not pleasant. On this site you will find many sisters that were ordered to do one, and many that weren't. If you are still unsure, call your doctor.

The doctor did not say to do a bowel prep...believe me they would have told you. A few days before my surgery I did take a laxative just to clean myself out....I did not want to end up with a case of constipation...so, I figured I would start out with a clean slate. You should be alright. Plus my doctor said I could take Colace if needed...and Colace works FINE.

I asked my doctor at pre-op after having read that many ladies here had to do one. She told me no bowel prep is necessary. It sounds like it whatever the doctor orders.

I didn't have to do a bowel prep either. Just nothing to eat or drink from midnight.
i think it reduces the constipation post surgery as you haven't had a complete clean out - i was able to go about day 4 then everything was normal after that.
Wishing you all the best for your surgery, waiting is the worst bit. The staff will control your pain for you, just make sure you tell them if you're uncomfortable - no reason to be in pain at all. x

Lucky ladies,
I just started my two day liquid diet and I can tell you that I am starving and full of GAS!

But Drs orders, so really no choice. If I only didnt have to go home to smell pizza now...

I had my davinci hysterectomy yesterday Jan. 29th and did NOT do a bowel prep

I DID a bowel prep! You are absolutely not missing a thing. It was a nightmare! I had a LAVH, maybe they order it for that and not a TAH... Good luck to you sister! You will do great! =)

My surgery is Feb 11 and my pre-op instructions don't have me doing a bowel prep either. I am glad because my doctor ordered a colonoscopy to make sure the endo didn't decide to take residence in my colon since it is everywhere else, did that Jan 21, and that was enough bowel prep for this girl! Thank goodness there was not endo

Some docs order bowel preps and some don't. My doc believes that they lead to more complications as patients arrive for surgery so dehydrated. I was relieved not to have to do one.