Post hysterectomy day #8- back and gas pain. How much longer?

Hello, I am now post-op day # 8, s/p Hysterectomy, cervix, fallopian tubes. I was not prepared for the back and gas pain, How long does the gas pain last? I am taking stool softener but I am having pressure in my rectum. Had several BM's but I am so uncomfortable.

As you may find out from connecting with the ladies on your recovery thread, gas pain is a common hurdle during the first week or so of recovery, and should dissipate as your GI tract slowly returns to normal. In the meantime, here are my top tips for getting the gas out, and for encouraging easier bowel movements: walk as much as you're comfortable with, and as local pandemic restrictions allow; make sure your diet includes 25-35 grams of fiber per day from a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains - if your intake is nowhere near that, be sure to increase it slowly, because too much too soon can cause gas; keep in mind that fiber and stool softeners require an adequate fluid intake to work properly, so you need to be drinking enough so that your urine is clear or pale yellow; fill up on magnesium from dark chocolate, leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, and almonds; have some peppermint tea; try fennel or coriander seeds, either chewed straight after every meal, ground into a powder and added to your cooking, or steeped in hot water for a delicious tea; avoid fermentable carbohydrates from legumes, onions and garlic, cruciferous vegetables, apples, pears, plums and prunes, apricots, cherries, and artificial sweeteners; use a heating pad or a hot water bottle; massage your abdomen, starting at your right hip, moving up to the waist, across your belly button to the left side, then down and around, back to the starting point, to follow the path of your colon; squat while you're on the throne, which properly aligns your rectum so everything can move through more smoothly. Best wishes for getting the gas out soon, and for continued health and healing!

Are you still taking pain meds? I’m on day 6 and had same issues but stopped taking pain meds Sunday and feel much better. Drink lots of water and walk! Hope you feel better!

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I think our Sisters gave you some good insight and suggestions on the gas pains. The back pain is often from subconsciously using our back muscles more to compensate for our tender abs. Sitting upright and standing up uses the core more than we think it does, and we're probably sleeping or napping more in a prone position. The best way to relax those back muscles is to recline a bit, whether in a recliner or strategically using pillow. That will allow your back muscles to relax, and distribute your weight across your upper back and hips. Use heat to help (a heating pad or one of those reheatable bed buddies), and take ibuprofen.

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)
• 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 Mar 22-28. Recovery Threads are wonderful for getting support, comparing notes, encouraging others, and keeping one another company.

Thanks to everyone for your support. Everyday I am feeling more like myself. Back pain gone, the gas pain better, walking more, stopped taking the pain medications on postop day # 6.