Upcoming hysterectomy 6/1 - Anxious

My TAH surgery is scheduled for June 1 and I have gone to my pre-op. I have been reading about bowel prep but I was not given any. Is that unusual? What is the best things for me to be eating before surgery to minimize gas and constipation? I had two c-sections about thirty years ago and had problems with constipation with one but not the other.

It is common not to get a bowel prep, I didn't. However I received a "clear diet/liquid" from midnight the day before.
If you're unsure about your instructions, please call the office, surgeons have different requirements.
Regardless of bowel prep, it might still take a few days to have your first BM (common issue). I would suggest you read the "Hints from members" section, there's plenty of tips to help with your BMs

I was told clear liquids only after 5 PM, nothing to eat or drink after midnight. I wasn't given any bowel prep instructions, but when I arrived the hospital there was a nurse waiting for me with a Fleet enema!

I had a three day hospital stay after my surgery. The first day after surgery, I was allowed only water. I was pretty loopy from the narcotics and anesthetics and didn't feel hungry at all. I think I may have had glucose in my IV.

The second day the hospital put me on a "progressive liquid" diet, i.e., liquids and mushy solids. The third day they gave me regular food for breakfast and lunch and then sent me home after I'd produced one very small BM.

I didn't have anywhere near as many problems as some sisters report and have to think that the gradual reintroduction of food had something to do with this. The first thing that happened when I got home was that I got diarrhea! I think this might have been from the antibiotics I was given in the hospital. I ate plain yogurt and that fixed it.

Then about a week later things started to firm up a bit too much. I drank Traditional Medicines "Smooth Move" tea and that fixed that. I never had to take laxatives or Gas-X and I was never in pain from gas or constipation.

Hi katiebug25241 -

Bowel prep is surgery dependent, and doctor preference. Not all women do them. Do not do one unless you are asked to do one. This is very important.

Regarding pre-op diet, you doctor should give you a list of instructions. These vary widely, so it is best to get exactly what your doctor wants.