Question about Bowel Prep

Hey Ladies,

Just found out yesterday that my abdominal hysterectomy is going to be schedualed for Nov. 2nd. I am nervous! But most of all wonder if anyone has any good tips to make a bowel prep go more smoothly. From what the DR described it doesn't sound FUN at all. Please help

Hi there! First of all, make sure you actually have a bowel prep scheduled with your surgery. Not everyone does (including me -- although I do get to do one next week for another procedure). If you don't have a bowel prep, there's no need to try and do anything like go all liquid the day before, or take laxatives or anything. You need to present to the hospital just like they are expecting.

Follow your doc's instructions to the letter. I've heard that chilling the liquid helps, as does chasing it down with ice water right away.

Hope this helps! I'm sure others who have had the experience will come along and share more insights.

I advised someone last night to get a soft toilet paper so you minimize the chances of ending up with sores from all the wiping. Also I got the Charmin Freshmates adult flushable wipes. My skin is so sensitive that all the extra wiping gave me blisters.

Hello, I too am scheduled for Nov 2. I do have the bowel prep, my doctor recommends it for his procedures. It is not to fun, but definitly have wipes on hand, they do prevent the bottom area from getting sore. So if your doctor recommend it to cause we will be doing the prep together in one way or another. Best of luck and speedy recovery for you. I don't know about you but I can't wait till its over. Kim

I had a very funny nurse who asked me if I was having a bowel prep and when I said yes, she said, "Oh it will be terrible, it will be awful, it will suck." I just busted up laughing and said, "Is there anything good you have to say about it?" She said, "No it will be just horrible." I guess that kind of kept my spirits up in a weird sort of way thinking about what she said. Been through worse with food poisioning, so if you compare it to that, it's not so bad. Had a good greasy lunch with delicious french fries and a frozen yogurt and M &M's after. Luckily I was too tired and nervous to have my liquid dinner so I just drank some water. Wasn't too bad in the end. Good luck to you on your surgery!!!

Tara

I agree with our other sisters that you should have wipes on hand. The most important bit of advice that I can give you, is make certain that you are near the bathroom at all times. Picture a volcano erupting.......sorry, but that is really what it was like for me.

Good luck!

Depending on what they have you do, it can suck or it can really, really suck! lol Just like the nurse told you. The drink stuff seems to be the worst. I was fortunate in that each time I've had surgery I just had to do the enema prep (won't be that lucky with my colonoscopy though! ouch!!!!!).
The best advice I can give you is to:
1) yes be near the bathroom....you'll think you're done whether it is the drink or the enema. Trust us, you're not done!!!! lol
2) splurge and buy the wipes and don't get the cheap ones....charmin with aloe or something nice and puffy. Trust us.
3) and this is the most important one. You will NOT believe how sore your little pooper is going to be! The stuff that comes out of you burns like crazy! Have either vaseline or A&D ointment (I used vaseline so I didn't have to mess with the tube thingy) nearby and starting before your first "go" coat the rectal area outside and yes, gross, but up inside a little to protect the rectal tissue. It won't stop hemorrhoids but it will seriously protect that tissue somewhat from burning.

Sorry if any of this embarasses you but you find out quick on here that we share what we know! lol

hugs and best of luck
K

Thank you for all your help with the bowel prep thing! I am going to buy wipes and vaseline for sure!! Good luck to all who have upcoming surgeries! I will be praying for you all

I had bowel prep twice this year; not fun. For me, I got very nauseous. I think I managed to drink 1/2 of the recommended dosage and everything turned out (or came out) just fine.

Hello Sister,
I have been told to keep a nice diet with lots of fruits and veggies. Avoid caffeinated drinks and anything that might give us more gas as we will be quite bloated after surgery. If you eat a balance diet with lots of fiber you will fine.

All the best.

Artic Chick