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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
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12-28-2008, 10:39 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 18
Hysterectomy: January 8th, 2009
Surgery Type: LSH
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
Hey Ladies,
My LSH surgery is coming up on Jan. 8th and I am very nervous and concerned. I have been reading the post-op posts here and it seems that EVERYONE regardless of the type of surgery method has bowel problems after surgery.
I'm already nervous about the surgery and recovery, but now I'm scared that I won't be able to have a bowel movement without being in pain and tears.
Are there any stories of hope out there or should I just face the fact that I will have bowel issues?
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12-28-2008, 11:04 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,550
Hysterectomy: March 17th, 2008
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
I did not experience pain or tears with my first bowel movement after surgery. It took several days, which was a concern, but when it finally happened, the only difference was that it was a little slower than usual.
There are a lot of things you can do for yourself to help the process along. Your doctor will probably prescribe stool softeners. My GP swears by dried apricots. I drank plum juice and ate the apricots too. Drinking lots of water and walking around the house with your doctor's okay as much as you can tolerate it will help to get things back to normal.
Since your bowels are moved around during surgery, it is going to take some time for them to settle back to normal, but for me, it was not a big issue.
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12-28-2008, 11:09 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 351
Hysterectomy: November 18th, 2008
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
I didn't not have pain and tears with my first BM. It was uncomfortable. I have a high tolerance of pain though. But, it felt better to go than to not go! I made sure I maintained with stool softeners and GAS-X. Lots and lots of water helps. OH, and as Gerry said above, walking. It is your best help for moving things along. Really, this was not a painful event.
I had a bowel prep before surgery and I think this helped the process. You may want to talk to your doctor though if you are still uneasy about everything.
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12-28-2008, 12:31 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 3,711
Hysterectomy: November 4th, 2008
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
My first BM was fine since they had given me the stool softener. As time when on & I took less of the colace it became a little more painful & I would get sorta cramps right before but nothing that was that bad. I never cried at the BM. They get a little better each day too. Best wishes!
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12-28-2008, 02:50 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 409
Hysterectomy: October 29th, 2008
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
You've already gotten some really good replies to your question about bowel problems, but I thought I'd chirp in too! I had a "blow out" while still in the hospital---pretty sure it was residual from the comprehensive bowel prep I did before surgery. I didn't really worry about going, since I knew that it would take a few days following that total emptying out. I didn't take stool softeners, but I had them handy just in case. When it did happen, I could feel movement in my intestines prior to voiding. It was not painful, but just odd and a little uncomfortable. I did drink prune juice (nasty stuff), ate yogurt and drank lots of water to help the process. It really didn't take long to become regular for me. (I don't always "go" every day).
Talk with your Dr. about your concerns before your surgery and do be in touch with his/her office if you have any difficulties following.
I needed to find out about any possible complication beforehand---it's just the way I do things like this. But, I found out that what I imagined was far worse than the reality of the recovery. It should teach me not to allow my anxiety to reign, but I'd probably fret again in a similar situation! Here's hoping that you don't experience any complication and that you will be reassuring new hystersisters following your surgery. Thinking of you.
Barb A.
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12-28-2008, 04:10 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 40
Hysterectomy: November 18th, 2008
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
No, everyone does not have a big problem. I was on stool softeners, and when it happened, I just held my soft little pillow agains my stomach and was fine. Remember, people are more likely to post bad experiences than good ones, so you may get a false impression. A soft little pillow helps SO MUCH! Be sure to take one. I walked with it, used the bathroom with it, protected myslef with it, etc.
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12-28-2008, 06:16 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 569
Hysterectomy: December 4th, 2007
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
I thought my doc was crazy but just thought I would pass along his "advice". I got a small box to sit my feet on when sitting on the "throne". If you lift your feet like this it somehow changes the alignment of your body and "helps things along." Don't forget a stool softner as the meds can sometimes slow things down.
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12-28-2008, 07:26 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2,703
Hysterectomy: December 19th, 2008
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
I think to some extent, some bowel problems are going to happen. You have anesthesia shutting things down, so to speak and pain pills don't help that. Even if the doc. didn't have to separate any adhesions from the bowel, I'm sure the bowel isn't fond of being bumped or moved around during surgery. The tips on this site make it bearable. That's for sure.;
'
kara
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12-28-2008, 08:14 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 217
Hysterectomy: January 8th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
I swear - I am pretty sure if I have a taco, I will go! Or at least pass gas! I am going to hope for the best! That box sounds like a good idea to try.
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12-28-2008, 08:17 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2,703
Hysterectomy: December 19th, 2008
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Does Everyone Have Bowel Problems After Surgery?
you don't want to cause cramping to get yourself unconstipated. believe that. i had some salad with too much vinegar a few days ago and it set me days back with major cramping. I wished for constipation to come back at that point (increased my bleeding a bit too because of the cramping.)
Kara
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