3 weeks post hysterectomy and still need stool softener

I was wondering how long folks needed to keep taking a stool softener? I'm three weeks post-surgery and still in need!

Hi there! I was on stool softeners for about 5 weeks. During and after this initial recovery period, I make sure to drink plenty of water and have fiberous foods like fruits and vegetables. I also have plenty magnesium rich foods like nuts and dark chocolate. I am making smoothies with almond milk, chia seeds, spinach, frozen berries (I use mainly blueberries, sometimes cherries), walnuts, yogurt and half a banana. Plenty of walking to keep everything moving.

I notice on weekends when I do not have enough water, although I've done most everything else I can get a little constipated. So of all things, I would definitely say make sure you have enough water/tea during the day. It makes a difference.

My bowels got moving on day 6, at which point I stopped taking the stool softeners, because they were giving me diarrhea. What worked for me, in addition to drinking water, and a daily smoothie similar to what falfrenzy mentioned, included regular walks, peppermint tea, and prunes. Also increase your intake of insoluble fibre, which adds bulk to the your poop, so it passes through more quickly. Another thing I frequently recommend to prevent straining is to sit on the toilet with your knees drawn into your chest, and your feet elevated on a low stool; this straightens the rectum, so the poop can pass through without straining. Here's hoping you'll be back to 💩 soon!

I stayed on stool softeners to week 5 bc I never wanted to experience that awful constipation again. I was having pain on my right side, then at week 5, some inflammation must have gone down, so that pain went away...

Walking, water us the best thing to do. Keep the GI system going bc it may continue to need help..Fruits, veggies, olive oil over a salad as it lubricates the GI track. Magnesium, pumpkin seeds. I have a smoothie daily w 1 c spinach, 1 c blueberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2 c yogurt, 2 Tbls flax seeds, 1/2 soy milk or any milk, ice.

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Originally Posted by LailaStar I stayed on stool softeners to week 5 bc I never wanted to experience that awful constipation again. I was having pain on my right side, then at week 5, some inflammation must have gone down, so that pain went away... Walking, water us the best thing to do. Keep the GI system going bc it may continue to need help..Fruits, veggies, olive oil over a salad as it lubricates the GI track. Magnesium, pumpkin seeds. I have a smoothie daily w 1 c spinach, 1 c blueberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2 c yogurt, 2 Tbls flax seeds, 1/2 soy milk or any milk, ice.

Thank you! A couple people mentioned smoothies, I think I will explore that!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by falfrenzy Hi there! I was on stool softeners for about 5 weeks. During and after this initial recovery period, I make sure to drink plenty of water and have fiberous foods like fruits and vegetables. I also have plenty magnesium rich foods like nuts and dark chocolate. I am making smoothies with almond milk, chia seeds, spinach, frozen berries (I use mainly blueberries, sometimes cherries), walnuts, yogurt and half a banana. Plenty of walking to keep everything moving. I notice on weekends when I do not have enough water, although I've done most everything else I can get a little constipated. So of all things, I would definitely say make sure you have enough water/tea during the day. It makes a difference.

Thank you!

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Originally Posted by DianaE Thank you! A couple people mentioned smoothies, I think I will explore that!

Frozen cherries in a smoothie are great and help with "going" as well. I was still on stool softeners for a few weeks as well. Chia seeds are a good addition to smoothies, they can help with irregularity.