first bowel movement

Hello, I had my hysterectomy on Tuesday (salpingo oopherectomy- total w/one ovary saved) and wondered how long it took women to have a bowel movement. I had prepped prior to surgery and didn't actually eat solids until Thursday so there wouldn't have really been anything in my system until late Thursday or Friday. I have a little gas and a lot of bloating. I know I will feel better if I go but nothing is really working. I have tried colace, water, etc... I feel great and am really surprised at how quickly I have healed with little pain. I had three prior laps with extensive endometriosis and have tried every treatment known to mankind. I am so relieved to have this over with. No more pap smears or periods! My doc said she thinks there may have been fibroids in my uterus (path isn't back yet) and my one ovary was full of cysts and old blood. This is probably the best decision I have made in a long time.

Just curious about the bowel movement though- I know everyone is different but figured I may as well see what others have gone through.

Thanks.

Amybeth

hi mollyblum,
I had same prop, had to have district nurse, go to local chemist and try glycerin suppositories, they worked on me within 20 mins, i had been in pain with constipation for nearly 3 days. theyre about £1.50 for 12 over here so not expensive, i had tried all sorts up to then . wow did i feel better, hope you do soon

My advice is take whatver you can to bet the BM's moving! My first BM was excruciating. I almost went tot he ER because the pain was unbearable. My doctor told me to try a fleet enema and it did work.

Almost 5 weeks later and I still have pain but it has improved. I now take Citrucel daily and have learned that walking really helps.

Good luck to you, it does get better!

I completely understand - my surgery was on a wed and solid food wasn't till fri and then the first BM (which was on the next wed ) was like giving birth. I know everyone is different but Milk of Magnesa (sorry bad speller ) did the trick for me. Diet is another that helps me such as rasins, high bran cereals (rasin bran), apples, apple juice, salads, cole slaw, & try chinese food (egg rolls - yummmeee). LOL Now don't eat that in the same day! LOL
You'll have a major tummy ache. Hope you feel better!

Thanks all!

I guess I will give it a couple of days and then try an enema or some other meds. I work for 10 gastro docs so I can get plenty of stuff for free on Monday.

It's interesting because when I would get my period the same thing would happen and when I finally would go it was like giving birth. It would let the flood gates of my period out but it felt a lot better when it was all done.

Thanks again!

Amybeth

Amybeth,

I had my TAH/bladder suspension on a Weds. and did not have my first BM until the following Tues. I also had a bowel prep prior to surgery and did not eat solid food until the Friday after surgery.

I drank tons of water, did Raisin Bran daily, fruits and veggies, but my appetite was minimal and I couldn't eat much at a time. My GYN recommended a senna laxative like Sennakot or senna tea (Get Regular or Smooth Move). My girlfriend recommend Philip's Milk of Magnesia...I didn't head any of this advice and sure wish I had! The first BM was very difficult, but I felt like a new woman afterwards!

The gas/bloating was very minimal afterwards and I have used the senna tea before bedtime with great results by noon the next day. I have only had to use it twice, the Raisin Bran, water, fruits and veggies are doing the trick now. Things are still tender, but I would not call it painful.

Remember that your colon and bladder are finding new "homes" in their newly acquired space, so things may feel like they are moving around or not quite where they used to be. This improves over time.

Be good to yourself and don't over-do. Moving around some each hour helps your digestion, too, but don't stand or sit upright so long you get exhausted. Good luck and I hope you are feeling more regular soon!

Maggiemay