Pre-op Fasting & Hygiene

I had my pre-op today with the gyn and also at the hospital, both of which went well. I had many questions answered and am feeling much more comfortable about the whole procedure. I know that others have written about having to do bowel preps on the day before surgery. Did this also include eating nothing but clear liquids on the day prior to surgery? I am just seeing next Wednesday as being a completely miserable day with no food, magnesium citrate, and two enemas. Also, are the rest of you being required to take two showers prior to surgery (with an antibacterial soap)? I'm just curious.

HI Lacynia,

I had to spend 2 days prior to my surgery having only clear fluids and my doctor said if I was prepared to do this I wouldn't need an enema which he thought would be much better on me.
As far as the showers with the antibacterial soap I didn't have to have them either I just had to take 4 antibiotic tablets the night before.
Each doctor is different and you just need to make sure to follow his instructions. Keeping busy helps to keep your mind of the lack of food!

Wishing you a speedy recovery........Karen

Hi Lacynia,

I'm scheduled for surgery on Wed (13 Sep), and I've received the exact pre-op instructions.

Lady Re

I too had a pre op today. I don't have to do a bowel prep. Just cant eat or drink for 12 hrs prior. Doc is going to give me antibiotics before I go into surgery. ~Anju

Hi I am scheduled to have a TAH/SBO on September 12th and no bowel prep either, just nothing to drink or eat after midnight. I am to admitted on the Sept 12th at 10:15am

my doc said i didnt have to do a bowel prep, but i could if i wanted to. i tend to get constipated because i'm on methadone (which is a narcotic). i just dont want any extra pain or problems trying to have a bm after surgery. i'll probably do clear liquids the day before and an enema before i leave for the hospital. also i've been taking 3 phillips stool softener capsules daily for over a week now. plus benefiber mixed w/ my coffee in the mornings, but i've been doing that for a long time.still, i get constipated anyway. someone suggested drinking 2 tablespoons of mineral oil for relief. it is sold where the laxatives are in store. i've never heard of that, but i might try it. any suggestions out there for me?? i would appreciate it alot.

thank you,
Stephanie

they gave me the bowel prep last week dr said to do it,on the morning of operation dont have to be at hospital till 10.30 so i can have my last coffee at 6.30 do the bowel prep then wait wait wait till 10.30 just wish it would hurry up and get here this waiting is terable

Hi Lacynia,

My surgery date is also on the 14th. My dr started me on an antibiotic that I began taking 2 days ago. I'm also not allowed to have anything but clear liquids from wednesday at noon. I also have to do an enema for bowel prep on wednesday. He didn't say anything about using antibacterial soap tho. Good luck to you....see you on the other side.

My instructions were to just have a liquid diet (Jello, Gatorade, apple juice, water, coffee (no cream), tea and broth) all day Sunday and then the enema at 6pm. Then, no eating or drinking after midnight. I report to the hospital at 5am Monday.

Does anyone have a clue as to why some of us do have to have a bowel prep, and others don't? ~Anju