A 35-year-old member asked:
How long to recover from major bowel obstruction?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 35 years experience
It depends on Rx: Depending on the cause and location of the obstruction, this can be managed surgically or conservatively. If surgery was not required, recovery usually is within days once normal diet is tolerated. If surgery was necessary, the recovery may last weeks to get back to baseline, depending on method of surgery and overall health.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Eric Kaplananswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 43 years experience
Depends: It depends on whether it was managed conservatively with bowel rest or required surgery. Also depends on definition of recovery. If you refer to eating regular food and having bm's that can be 1-2 days but may take even longer depending on the degree of obstruction. If surgery was required, full recovery to unlimitted activity is 4-6 weeks.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Otto Placikanswered
Surgery - Plastics 35 years experience
Depends on treatment: The recovery will depend on tw treatment and the cause and can range for days to months.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
Aliquippa, PA
A 54-year-old female asked:
Bowel obstruction how long to heal?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mark Hoepfneranswered
Surgery 40 years experience
Depends: Did you have surgery to treat the obstruction? Were you hospitalized and treated medically only? Are you describing bowel constipation? Takes 4-6 weeks to recover from surgery. Takes a few days to recover after medical treatment. Would need much more detailed medical information to answer further.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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