Bm

I arrived home yesterday, 1/16 after my TAH on 1/14. I've been recovering well and have minimal pain now. I still haven't had a BM yet. Is that normal? I'm just wondering how long before I should start to worry. I haven't taken anything to help it move along, other than old fashioned walking and fiberous foods. I'm scared to take a lax or softener because I've never taken either before. Hoping I can get it moving without meds.

Last dose of pain med was before midnight last night, and it's just really sore but not toooooooo bad, so I'm trying to hold off on taking anything to see if that will also help get things moving. I'm feeling gas and movement and pressure, and before I left docs and nurses said bowels sounded good.

Thanks for all of the good info here! This site has been so helpful!

Drink a lot of liquids, I drank water, some tea even some juice....fiber will actually bind you up without enough liquids. Keep walking that helped me. I never took anything...i don't like the lax or anything. If you did bowel prep it could be another couple of days, if you didn't then I would think the next day or so...hang in there...it's all worth it!!!

Thanks Dee. I was drinking lots of fluids in the hospital, but have been a slacker here at home. Thanks for the reminder! I miss those ice chips from the hospital!!!

OMG... finally got things moving. OOOWWW! That was not fun. Hopefully it's better after the first one?

It took me a week before I had a BM and like you it was not fun. Having a bowel prep, anesthetic and narcotics can slow the bowels. You might find that you will be irregular for a bit. Lots of water and movement that is right for you will help. In the end though I did take milk of magnesium to get things going. A stool softner might be a gentler way to keep things moving.