7 days post op lap total hysterectomy - no appetite, sluggish bowels

I have noticed that I have no appetite and my bowels are definitely sluggish despite drinking water and walking. I hardly take any narcotic medication. Anyone else experience little to no appetite. I am eating, but not because I want to.

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Originally Posted by Nicyee I have noticed that I have no appetite and my bowels are definitely sluggish despite drinking water and walking. I hardly take any narcotic medication. Anyone else experience little to no appetite. I am eating, but not because I want to.

Hey Nicyee,

I still don’t really have an appetite either and I’m almost 5 weeks out. I’ve lost 12-13 lbs because of it. The doctors said it should start getting back to normal around two to three weeks post-op, but everyone is different. Your bowels should still be sluggish as they’re “waking up”. If you have trouble having a bowel movement miralax and colace have been mentioned. I took both after my surgery and they kept me really regular. I stopped taking them between week two and three. I know it’s hard forcing yourself to eat, but keep up the good work. Your body needs those nutrients to heal. I hope this helps a bit. You’re not alone in what you’re going through.

and

Our digestive systems can be wonky after surgery, due to the meds, the fasting and/or bowel prep which can empty us out, inflammation nearby and the surgical trauma your body endured. My appetite was off - everything looked too much, too heavy, too spicy, too, too, too.... My preference was steamed veggies and little else, but I found ways to eat. Nutrition is important to healing, especially protein. Consider nuts, seeds, eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt, protein smoothies, lean meats such as chicken. Fruits and veggies won't weigh you down, and whole grains can boost your energy. Avoid highly processed foods - boxed dinners, casseroles, restaurant food - as they can be difficult to digest. Finally, instead of main meals, graze with small portions throughout the day. Eventually your appetite should return. Loss of Appetite After Hysterectomy has more tips. ...I do believe I probably looked like the Sister on that article thumbnail on more than one occasion!

And yeah, I had to actively manage my digestive system for 7-8 weeks. Our bowels can be sluggish for the same reasons our appetites are off. Drink plenty of water, and get some walking in, even if just around the house - that will help with motility.

Since you've just joined us, you might find these resources helpful in knowing what to expect during these first weeks:

• Hysterectomy Recovery Videos on the Recovery Splash page
• Hysterectomy Checkpoints for a week-to-week guide (you can sign up to receive Checkpoints in email, too)
• Hysterectomy Recovery Tips
• Do This - Not That: Hysterectomy Recovery with additional links

I'd also like to invite you to connect with your Recovery Thread for women who had surgery the same week as you at Recovery Progress Reports for Oct 11-17. Recovery Threads are wonderful for getting support, comparing notes, encouraging others, and keeping one another company.

I already have chronic stomach issues, and the pain medications messed it up even further, so I really had to force myself to eat for about the first week or so. What helped me during this time was eating smaller, more frequent meals, including one smoothie per day; my top pick for a protein powder during this time was Vega One, which can be found at most health food stores and major supermarkets, is based on whole ingredients, and contains essential nutrients to support a healthy recovery. My smoothie recipe also included ground flaxseeds and magnesium-rich spinach to get my bowels moving, plus I enjoyed 2 daily squares of dark chocolate, another excellent source of magnesium. And here are two more top tips to kick-start your sluggish bowels: sit on the throne after every meal to stimulate the gastro-colic reflex, in which the stomach tells the brain that it's full, then the brain tells the colon to empty its contents, to make room for the new stuff coming in; start your day with a hot cup of peppermint tea, or a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon. I was also sure to minimize or avoid poorly digested foods, including red meat, legumes, onions and garlic, pears, plums and prunes, artificial sweeteners, and fried foods. Sluggish bowels can lead to a loss of appetite, because if nothing much is coming out the bottom, then the stomach won't want much of anything coming in, so you may find that your appetite returns to normal once your bowels are back up to speed, as I did. Best wishes for moving past this stage soon, and for continued health and healing!

Thank you ladies for the info and tips! I greatly appreciate it!