Question 1

can i treat lazy bowel after surgery from home?

Accepted Answer

Move it: Best way to help the bowels wake up is to walk as much as you tolerate and to limit the intake of narcotic pain meds. Keep moving, if your doctor didn't tell you to not stand on your feet or walk.

Question 2

can you please tell me why it'simportant for a patient to open his/her bowel and pass wind after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Ileus/obstruction: Your docs need to know if your bowels are simply recovering from anesthesia, aka ileus or if you have a serious bowel obstruction. There are many imaging tests to help with this determination, however passing gas is reassuring your bowels are not obstructed.

Question 3

can you get constipation after surgery i had one recently and now i'm really constipated i normally am i bit as my diet is poor i don't drink enough and don't exercise that much but its got alot worse since the surgery it was not a bowel surgery?

Accepted Answer

: Did you receive a narcotic analgesic for post op pain? If yes, that is the cause. If not, stress could be contribute. Regardless of the precipitating factors, you need to be active, drink plenty for fluid, 1.5 -2 liters/day, eat high fiber foods, taking stool softener daily and take laxative as needed, 2 -3 times/week. Stopping the narcotic analgesic as soon as tolerated.

Question 4

when are bowel movements expected after surgery?

Accepted Answer

It depends: The return of bowel function varies widely based upon the type of surgery performed. Bowel function may return long before bowel movements occur. Passing gas is generally the first sign of bowel function. There are many factors which may affect the time before the first bowel movement.

Question 5

should i be in so much pain on my left side after surgery? they did an appendectomy and looked at my bowel also. i have bruising on the left side.

Accepted Answer

Maybe: A certain amount of discomfort after surgery is expected. If your pain is worsening, a check in with your surgeon is appropriate. Fevers and increased abdominal distension days after surgery might indicate other problems such as abscess or hematoma.

Question 6

are bowel  movements painful after surgery for an anal fistulotomy?

Accepted Answer

Post Surgery Pain: Yes. Of course. There is no ifs ands or buts about this.  I would imagine your surgeon gave you some instructions and advice about your post operative course and what to expect.

Question 7

after hemorrhoid surgery approximately how long before bowel movements return to normal and what is the best diet for after surgery?

Accepted Answer

One of the major: determinants is whether you have general anesthesia or not (anesthetics paralyze bowel) and how many narcotic pain killers you take afterward. Many doctors advise starting stool softeners/fiber supplements before surgery. Stay super well-hydrated. Prune or apple juice may be helpful; raw veggies, while good for fiber, may be painful to pass. Two weeks, 3 at outside, and all should be good:)

Question 8

i had a hernia repair two days ago. i have not had a bowel movement since. i have pass gas and urinated. is this normal after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Drink lots of fluid, walk frequently and reduce the use of prescription pain meds will help.  If not better in a few days, try stool softener.  As always, remember to call your surgeon to report your concerns.

Question 9

i had a uterine polypectomy on the 6/4/13. had first bowel movement after surgery  08/04/13 and experiencing moderate cramping.  is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Check dates: A uterine polypectomy is a very minor surgery and should not affect your ability to have a bowel movement or cause  constipation. If the dates you listed are correct not having a bowel movement for 2 months is not normal and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Question 10

70 year old aunt had bladder removed bc of bladder cancer, she had bowel problems after surgery ct scan showed spots. doctor ordered full bone scan (idk what type, pet?) she had a ct scan a couple weeks ago but was fine. could she have bone cancer?

Accepted Answer

: I assume she had a nuclear bone scan which can detect bone metastases. A CT scan can also detect malignant involvement of bones. I can state that your aunt does not have bone metastases from her bladder cancer. I trust her physicians agree.

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Doctor answers about:

Lazy bowel after surgery

A member asked:

Can i treat lazy bowel after surgery from home?

A member asked:

Can you please tell me why it'simportant for a patient to open his/her bowel and pass wind after surgery?

A member asked:

Can you get constipation after surgery i had one recently and now i'm really constipated i normally am i bit as my diet is poor i don't drink enough and don't exercise that much but its got alot worse since the surgery it was not a bowel surgery?

A member asked:

When are bowel movements expected after surgery?

A member asked:

Should i be in so much pain on my left side after surgery? they did an appendectomy and looked at my bowel also. i have bruising on the left side.

A member asked:

Are bowel movements painful after surgery for an anal fistulotomy?

A member asked:

After hemorrhoid surgery approximately how long before bowel movements return to normal and what is the best diet for after surgery?

A member asked:

I had a hernia repair two days ago. i have not had a bowel movement since. i have pass gas and urinated. is this normal after surgery?

A member asked:

I had a uterine polypectomy on the 6/4/13. had first bowel movement after surgery 08/04/13 and experiencing moderate cramping. is this normal?

A member asked:

70 year old aunt had bladder removed bc of bladder cancer, she had bowel problems after surgery ct scan showed spots. doctor ordered full bone scan (idk what type, pet?) she had a ct scan a couple weeks ago but was fine. could she have bone cancer?

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