Constipation after surgery

[MochaMadness]

HELP

I had a bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty on Tuesday and haven't been to the loo since. It's now Sat evening.

I'm drinking loads of water. I've had 2 litres of prune juice since Thu night. A bag of semi dried prunes and kiwi fruit. Nothing.

DH went to the pharmacy and all they would give him was DulcoEase which is a stool softener but I don't think that's what I need.

I'm desperate. What can I do?

Oh poor you OP that’s got to be uncomfortable.

I find doing cat cows can help. Also lying stretched out on my front for a while seems to let things move along. You could also try abdominal massage, there’s a particular pattern to follow which is supposed to help things move along.

What medications are you on post op, some painkillers can do this so if you are due to reduce these then hopefully it will improve soon.

Glycerin suppositories, dulco lax and massaging around your belly button

Paracetamol and nothing else. I had liquid morphine in recovery but nothing since that should affect me.
Lying on my front is out of the question right now but I'll Google abdominal massage. Thanks

Ah yes hadn’t really thought about lying on front! Obviously not!!

Maximum dose of DulcoEase alongside lactulose, plenty of fruit + coffee (caffeine works to stimulate the bowels) and as much walking as you can manage.

Helped DD through major spinal surgery recovery and the opioid related constipation…! She was desperate to avoid an enema/suppository and they wouldn’t discharge her without ‘going’ so this is what worked for us x

After an op and having taken codeine I was painfully blocked. I got a nurse to give me a suppository. And then I ate prunes and all bran and fruit…. Good luck!

I have had three surgeries and the doctor has always suggested to take laxative by day 2 or second day of surgery. I have always taken milk of magnesia and while normally it acts in six hours, post surgery it always takes longer 36-48 hours.

Lactulose and plenty of water. I took it for weeks after having my haemorrhoids done. Absolute life saver.

When I was constipated 2 days after my surgery I drank a whole litre of prune juice and it worked within 3 hours.

I've had 2 litres in 2 days.

Husband doing back to pharmacy this morning.

Senna tablets worked for me, but took a couple of days.

Both after surgery and at a different time when taking codeine.

Movicol/laxido sachets will help and isn't a stimulating laxative like senna is. Also, get a stool, bricks, large tins etc to raise your feet up. It makes a massive difference.

Causes absolutely horrible cramps/nausea/urgency for most people though. Couldn’t pay me to experience that again.