constipating weeks after undergoing a surgery
By Rainselle
@Rainbowliselle (498)
Philippines
February 12, 2011 9:41am CST
I have undergone an appendectomy surgery more than 3 weeks now. There was no problem with my bowel movement when I left the hospital till I started having constipation a few days ago. I must have already eaten 1 plantation of papaya fruits and have drunk the whole water reservoir in our area and yet, my bowel movement has not been normal of late. Any suggestion as to what I should do? I don't want to rely much on pills that encourage bowel movement. should I be yelling 'HELP!" by now? :)
Should you wish to read what I have gone through, do visit my blog. just google marieliselle and click sand in the wind. muchas gracias! :)
2 responses
@justjavagirl (13)
• Philippines
13 Feb 11
mostly post-op patients suffers from that. during first 24 hours, it is expected that's why health workers watch out for the return of the so called 'flatus'. meaning you can eat by then. but as to constipation, one factor as well is being immobile. meaning not moving as soon as possible, that's why again patients encourage to early ambulation. in your case that it has been three weeks. you should asked your dietitian on that foods to eat in order to get rid of such constipation, but most likely you will encourage with high in fiber foods, drinking a lot of water and exercises. do them in timely manners. If your symptom persists, you better ask your physician for laxatives. though a lot of it can be bought over the counter.
@Rainbowliselle (498)
• Philippines
13 Feb 11
probably you're right on this matter as well because i was immobile most of the time since I was in pain although I was encouraged by the surgeon to walk, walk and walk. Since it was my first surgery,plus my age, probably it was hard on my part to move around with a permanent "zipper" on my belly (below navel & downward).
Yes, over the phone days ago, my surgeon advised me to take in dulcolax pill before going to bed. it's a laxative pill. i thought it has to be taken only once but then for 2 days agin, i didn't have any bowel movement thus i took another one last night and was successful in moving my bowel this morning. my question is, is this kind of laxative safe to take in every time i constipate? hmm, anyway, i guess i have to monitor on this issue and if this continue to persist, you're right, I have to see my surgeon again. :)
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
13 Feb 11
I remember after my first abdominal surgery that I was given a supply of laxatives to take. In fact, I think there were at least two kinds that I was given prescriptions for. I was advised to take them as needed. I don't remember how long I needed them, but I would use them daily if you aren't regular. But you should verify that with your physician before just doing it. Good luck with that!
@justjavagirl (13)
• Philippines
13 Feb 11
using of dulcolax must be watched out. coz they can cause further complications to our bowels. i.e. colon area. it can cause bleeding. as far as i know it should be use not more than a 2 weeks unless advice by your physician. the main purpose of such pill is to get rid of occasional constipation. take the pill with full glass of water. well in all kinds of medicines, too much is bad enough. constipation is not permanent. we can manage it in simplest manner, as mush as possible with no use of meds. but laxatives are surely big help if we can't take it anymore. just take some extra precautions. and report to your physician if during the peak of using the pill, you have such discomfort coz it might be serious side effects or something :)
@kaycharmedMD (381)
• Philippines
12 Feb 11
one complication of abdominal surgery (or any surgery) is obstruction due to adhesions. adhesions form when one has been operated on since foreign materials (aka surgical instruments, gloves, gauzes, etc) have been introduced to the abdominal cavity and have come into contact with your organs. and because they are identified as foreign (not a natural part of the human body), defenses are being made against them, even several days after the surgery. i suggest you observe yourself closely, especially if you are already feeling bloated, cant even pass gas, and most importantly, persistent constipation. be mindful also of fever, dizziness and weakness. how long has this been going on? i do hope that's just a benign case. if your symptoms persists, you can consult your surgeon again. if (and i do hope it's not) it's in fact bowel obstruction, catching it early is good, because by then conservative measures are employed. please carefully observe yourself, and do not delay consult if symptoms persist.
@Rainbowliselle (498)
• Philippines
13 Feb 11
thanks for the info. i'll be monitoring my bowel movement. the first 2 weeks after surgery, my bowel movement was said to be abnormal according to the surgeon since i moved more than 5 times a day although it was soft stool bowel movement. He asked me to eat banana instead of papaya fruits. It was on the 3rd week when i started being constipated. After i was advised to take in suppository and Dulcolax before going to sleep, the following day i had a successful bowel movement. well, only for a day though. The days (2 days) after I didn't feel like going to the comfort room. Last night, I took in again Dulcolax before going to sleep and this morning i had another successful bowel movement but it was quite a pain and had to move 5x till it stopped. I will continue to observe on the days to come especially I'll start reporting to work tomorrow, Valentine's day.
If this persist, as you advised, I'll see my surgeon again.
