Post surgery for laparoscopic / vaginal hysterectomy

Hi Sassy, hope you’re doing okay with your recovery. I had my op on a Friday lunchtime back in January, and had my first bowel movement late on the Sunday evening. A combination of the abdominal surgery plus the anaesthetic slows things right down and it can take a while. Also, in my surgeon’s words, the bowel gets “shoved around” a lot during the op, so it can make it a bit sensitive. I’d suggest keeping your diet light, with plenty of fruit and clear liquids, some recommend prunes or figs, and also gentle exercise. I did 5 mins walk twice a day from the day I came home, gradually increasing a little from about day 4. Hope you get a result soon - you can always phone your ward if you’re concerned.

Hi SassyL53. Did the hospital give you any Lactulose solution to take home as well as stool softeners? If not, maybe give some Califig a go. Out of season now, but I had a LOT of plain boiled new potatoes which helped me but it still took 5 days to have a bowel movement so I wouldn't worry too much. It's not much fun when you do but it will get better soon.

Hi Marmitefan59

I called my regular Dr and she recommended a glycerin suppository ,and senna laxative and stool softener. Within an hr and A half that cured the problem!!! I feel so much better now,!what a relief!! No one told me to eat lightly , which certainly would have helped becoming so backed up

Thank for your reply and hope you are doing well

Hi Cakenport

Yes the  hospital told me to buy a stool softener when I was released, but I had to stay in hospital an extra day due to terrible bloating  and gas. I also had a bit of a problem waking  up from the anesthesia and had to have oxygen

They did not give me any while at the hospital, just told me to try and walk around the ward as often as possible 

thank you for your reply 

Hi SassyL53

Glad to hear your surgery went well.  It took me  a week after the op before I had  bowel movement however I wasn't too worried as my appetite had been low and I didn't feel like I was constipated.

I found it helpful to have my feet raised when sitting on the loo as it is supposed to open up the bowels easier so that may be worth a try.  I just used a jumbo pack of toilet roll to put my feet on.  The first few times are a bit strange as I was conscious of not trying to strain/push but things soon settle and toilet routine gets back to normal.

If you're still worried then maybe have  chat with your CNS.

Hi SassyL53. I'm catching up with posts and hope by now the bowel movements have resumed and the gas eased. (I could have performed the trumpet voluntary!) The bowel does take a while to settle down after this op. I had to stay in an extra 2 days as my constipation and gas was so painful. 

I also agree with Ejax about having your feet raised. I suppose if you think about it the natural position to pass stools before toilets were invented made the position much different.

I was given stool softeners and used Laxidol. 

Hope things have improved, hugs, Barb xx

Hi Ejax!

Yes putting the feet up on a stool certainly helped a lot!

Hi Barb!

all is back to working! 
One thing I forgot to ask was did u ladies continue to use stool softeners? If so for how long? 
I hope you are doing OK Barb. I have been thinking about you

Hi SassyL53, felt the love all the way from Vancouver!

Once everything was back to normal, I stopped using softeners. I rarely suffer constipation, so it was obviously due to the anaesthetic. Did suffer again during chemo but all back to normal now.

Hugs, Barb xx