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Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
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10-08-2015, 10:17 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1
Hysterectomy: November 13th, 2015
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Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
I"m suppose to have a total abdominal hysterectomy soon because of a grossly enlarged uterus (completely full of adenomyomas) and my left ovary is wrapped in cysts. Due to the size of my uterus , i have to have an abdominal incision. I've had a couple laparoscopic surgeries which were uncomfortable, but I did ok. I am terrified of having an abdominal surgery though. I normally struggle with mild constipation (even eating veggies & drinking water) It was a problem when I had my laps, but I can not even imagine how difficult dealing with constipation with my abdomen stapled up, and upper vagina sewn together. Do you start taking something the day of surgery? (like prune juice, Milk of mag) Also, we have a large 2 story house, and all bedrooms are upstairs. Will I be able to go up 20 steps the day I get home?
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10-08-2015, 01:39 PM
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Posts: 19,781
Hysterectomy: May 29th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
I had an abdominal hysterectomy myself, a vertical 7" incision closed with 38 staples. I ended up having a easy recovery with minimal pain and no complications. :-)
How many days in the hospital have you been quoted? I was released three days after surgery and was getting around quite handily by the time I got home.
Make sure there's a railing on the stairs. If there isn't, put one up before you have surgery. Take the stairs slowly, using the railing for balance and, if necessary, to help support your weight. You may find it more comfortable to place both feet on one step before going on to the next step. Don't carry anything, and don't make unnecessary trips.
I had very few problems with constipation. Actually, the first thing that happened to me once I got home from the hospital was that I got diarrhea! I had some minor constipation issues maybe the 3rd-5th weeks for which I used Traditional Medicine's Smooth Move tea.
I think a lot of this had to do with the very slow and gradual way my hospital reintroduced solid foods. I woke up from surgery about 7:30 PM, drank some water and fell back to sleep about 8 PM. The next day, I was allowed nothing but water. I was too stoned to feel hungry anyway.
The second day after surgery, I was allowed "progressive liquids," i.e. liquids and mushy solids. The third day the hospital gave me regular food for breakfast and lunch, then sent me home. The fourth day I got diarrhea, so I ate plain yogurt and that fixed it.
Also, *before* surgery you'll be given instructions on what to eat/not eat and whether or not to do bowel prep by your doctor or hospital. ***Everyone gets different instructions.*** It's important to follow the instructions *you* were given precisely. Don't leave anything out, but don't add anything either.
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10-08-2015, 03:31 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 4,029
Hysterectomy: June 5th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
I also had abdominal and no problems with constipation. I think that the fact that I had to do a bowel prep helped, as well as the facts that I didn't take any narcotics, got up and started walking right away, and drank a lot of water. I didn't do any of those things for the purpose of avoiding constipation, but I think it helped! My bedroom is also upstairs, and doing stairs was not an issue with me, I spent one night and was fine doing them the next day. My dr said don't worry about doing stairs, but hold handrails and don't carry things so a s not to fall.
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10-08-2015, 07:36 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 33
Hysterectomy: September 14th, 2015
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
After going through my surgery and first few weeks of recovery I can tell you that Milk of Magnesia was my very best friend. It tastes awful, but I didn't have any issues with BM's at all. I started taking it the day I got home. Between that and walking I got rid of the gas pretty quickly.
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10-09-2015, 03:09 AM
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Posts: 727
Hysterectomy: August 19th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
coughy16 is right, narcotics can cause part of the problem,and as suggested here different remedies help different people. I had never had problems prior, but after reading on this site about the possibilities, I began to increase my water, and fiber foods a couple of weeks before surgery to let my body adjust to the changes.
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10-09-2015, 10:13 AM
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Posts: 8,056
Hysterectomy: April 14th, 2015
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
I was also constipated after my surgery; my first bowel movement was on day 6, after I'd stopped the narcotics. What got things moving for me were regular walks, peppermint tea with my breakfast, and a green smoothie with cherries and ground flaxseeds as an afternoon snack. Also indulge in some dark chocolate; it's high in magnesium, which can also help. Best wishes for your surgery and recovery!
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10-09-2015, 11:42 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 49
Hysterectomy: October 14th, 2015
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
I'm having mine laparoscopic, but I've had a c-section with no constipation issues. I plan to start miralax this evening to get my system on tract (surgery is Wednesday) and I picked up Dulcolax & Gas-X as well. I've read they make all the difference. I have GI issues as well, and follow a low carb, gluten free diet and certain foods wreck my system so I have to be careful.
Wishing you the best
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10-09-2015, 07:44 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 19
Hysterectomy: October 21st, 2015
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Upcoming hysterectomy: Post-op Constipation fear!!!!
I work for the GYN surgeon who is doing my hyst on 10/21. We tell patients to remember that pain meds add to constipation. We often have patients call in pain wanting more percocet. We tell them to 1st pour a large glass of prune juice and warm it in the microwave - NOT hot but warm and drink. They usually call us back raving how great they feel and thanking us for the tip. Sometimes there are people that truly do need more pain meds don't get me wrong, but often the pain is from constipation. I'm prepping for my own hyst and have bought prune juice 100%, stool softener and pads/panti liners just to have on hand. Usually I try & avoid pain meds, but I've been told I'll have a pain pump in the hospital and to use it to stay on top of the pain. Once I'm home if I want to cut back fine, but while in the hospital take it. My mother had her hyst at 79 by the same doc and she told me she doesn't know why she filled the rx she said she took 1 percocet the 1st nite home to help her sleep and after that she didn't need any. Everyone is different, but I hope I'm like her.
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