Almost 8 wks. post op- still having bowel problems

This Tues., 4/10/1, I will be 8 wks. post op. I had a TAH (appendix, too) on 2/13/1 and feel better than I have in years. Of course, I still have a tender and sometimes swollen & itchy belly, but I have had no real complications since my hyst.

The only aggravating part now is my bowels. I sometimes go 2-3 days without having a "movement", so I take a mild laxative or stool softerner which allows the bowels to move. But the "hemmies" start flaring up which hurt when I do have a "movement". Before my hyst, I was quite regular in this area and occasionaly had a flare up of "hemmies". (I started having those wonderful "hemmies" exactly 16 yrs. today when my daughter was born.) I still eat plenty of fruit and veggies and drink water, but I hope this is yet another part of my recovery/healing.

Any princesses out there still experiencing this problem around 8 wks. post op or anyone past this point remember having this problem?

Thanks for your support sisters, and thank God for this wonderful site!

Still thanking and praising God for keeping me alive and well; feeling better every day and stronger every week!

Hi Gina,

I am almost 7 weeks post op and am still having bowel problems also. My doctor put me on Peri Diem when I saw him last Tuesday. It has worked wonders. I now "go" everyday. I have NEVER been a "regular" gal, but I seem to be more "backed up" since the surgery. He has also advised me to make sure I drink lots and lots of water and that does seem to help also.

If you're not familiar with Per Diem it is a vegetable laxative. You put the stuff on your tongue and swallow the little beady things with water - not that great of a feeling, but at least it's not that fibery stuff floating in liquid like Metamucil - and seems to work much better.
It is over the counter.

Check with your Dr Gina, he may offer you some advice
Good Luck!

Hi Gina
I know how you feel. I had the same problem, as I too
have a Hemmie problem and thought i would never get off stool softeners or laxatives. I was sore and bleeding and dreaded having to go.

As my insides healed, they did too and although they are a little tender, I manage fine. I am still using cream and suppositories for the soreness

Have a word with your doc maybe he or she can give you something???

Hope it sorts out. I know its a pretty miserable state of affairs as if youve not been through enough!!!

Good luck

Lynnie

Hello we are just a day apart and yes if I miss my prune juice or stool softners or glasses of water I will have trouble which leads to a sore bum. I have gotten use to the prune juice and do a few ounces morning and night. It has helped a lot. I guess I will keep on doing my routine as I am fine unless I forget any one of the above. I hope you feel better soon God Bless you Donelle

I am almost 10 weeks and my bowels seem to have a mind of their own! I have to take a stool softener once in awhile; don't tell Fitbug, but I'm not drinking enough water! Bad me, I know better! I do exercise as best I can, which is very good, but I know for a fact, my bowels have changed since surgery. Food from restaurants; bad for me! Any processed foods; gassy feeling. Gas now is a problem; have to avoid a lot of stuff. Coffee has to go; it's hard on my tummy and constipating. Mine is definately diet related, so I have to make mental notes of the do's and don'ts.
I'll have to find foods to help move things along; you don't want to depend on the softeners or use them too long. They can make the bowels sluggish! Good luck ladies; it's breakfast & I have to have some fiber cereal now! LOL

Yes!!!!!! to prune juice. I had tah/bso on march 12 and still have to do alot to keep myself regular i was never the type to go everyday anyway but when i came home from surgery and realized i hadnt been in a week it was time to do something I was miserable. I have the hemmies due to 2nd child also boy all this is so much fun. But since then I have a glass of prune juice every night before bed with my estrogen and stool softner (its a ***** getting old) and all is working fine.

you know it used to be champagne and birth control pills now its prune juice and estrogen!!!!!!

Janet

I had a LAVH in March 20,2001 and emergency surgery last Wed. night for hemmoraging. Any way, I too have major bowel problems and have since I've had my first daughter in 1997. The dr. recommended Dieter's tea. So that is what I'm doing now and it works. You're talking to someone who only "goes" 3-4 times a month. So buy some of this. It is found with the tea's in the grocery store. I got mine at Wal-Mart. It will get you going. I hope I could be some help!

I am two week post op and I had problems before the surgery but since my first BM 5 days after surgery I have been so regular. The only thing I am doing is taking prune juice, a small glass (maybe 2 ounces) in the morning and then again at night. This seems to have made the difference for me. Sometimes, tho, I get the opposite and have a little diarrhea, but so far I have been very regular. All the sisters are right, water is definitely helpful, although I know I don't drink enough, sometimes not at all (shame on me), but I am doing orange juice and of course the wonderful prune juice. Hope things get better for you soon. Try the water and prune juice and see if that helps, both totally natural and will not hurt, but can only help.


Take care,
Donna

GinaD, your experiences mirror mine. Although prior to my TAH on 02-08, I underwent two procedures to address my hemmie problems because I tend to develop bloodclots. I'm sure you can imagine how frightened I was when I learned that "constipation" might be an issue after the TAH. Well, I had a dreadful time and have since undergone a long overdo and much needed hemerrhoidectomy (03-30). The pain is indescribable! I'm two weeks post-hemmie surgery today and finally able to sit on both cheeks ... but not for prolonged periods. I still have a ways to go, but I feel better than I've felt in a long time.

I am 10 weeks post-op (TAH/BSO/partial colectomy) and unless I eat the fresh veggies and fruits and drink plenty of water I still have a major problem with constipation. Before the surgery I was very regular. Now I spend alot of time in the bathroom just waiting and trying not to push too hard. I've been off stool softeners since week 8 and off pain killers since week 1. In addition to the TAH, I had a partial colectomy which involves cutting out the bad portions of my colon/large intestine and reattaching the good portions. (Not very comfortable for sitting and the main reason I've not returned to work yet). I feel the need to go so often that I almost need my own bathroom wherever I go. When I do have a bowel movement it's never much (not like pre-surgery when I only went once per day) so I have to go often. It's a never ending process but I pray that in time this too will pass. I'm just grateful not to have ovarian cancer and to not require the use of a colostomy bag (to remove excremente from my body).

Sarah