Laxatives before Surgery?

My TVH is scheduled for 7:30 Monday morning. My doc did not order any sort of enema before the surgery. I was wondering if anyone thought it would be ok to take a mild laxative tonight and then eat light tomorrow (just soup & water). Has any one done this?

Hi!

If your doctor did not instruct you to do any type of bowel prep such as enemas or laxatives, don't do one. Your doctor has his/her instructions just for you and you should follow them.

The only instructions I had from my doctor were to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the evening before.

Doing any type of bowel prep without being instructed to do so could cause dehydration and problems during your surgery.

I wish you the best with your surgery and I pray that all goes well!

s

Deb

I wasn't given any instructions for a bowel prep, either.

I did eat lighter the day or two before surgery (partly because I was getting pretty anxious), but I kept drinking lots of liquids to make sure I was well hydrated, because I've been told it's easier to start an IV if you're well hydrated.

For now, try to relax -- they'll do whatever's necessary when you get to the hospital. My best wishes to you.

Thanks for the replies. I'll just stick to keeping myself well hydrated.

I asked my dr. this because I have been having some constipation (with all the pressure from the 'broids, ) she said fiber supplements are fine, no laxatives, something about the fiber just passes through and is not absorbed, but the laxative is absorbed into the body. I will be continuing with my fiber until the last day and lots and lots of water!
best to you,
sandy