Constipated after surgery

[takingchances]

Had a laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and cystoscopy on Monday. Op went well, turns out I had loads of stage 1 endometriosis which the surgeon lasered off. I am doing ok, taking lots of ibuprofen and paracetamol BUT I haven't done a poo yet (sorry if this is TMI).
Is this normal after surgery? I had a general anaesthetic on Monday and morphine, tramadol, voltarol etc. Also I am quite scared of doing a poo because the whole area is so tender. So I might be holding it in.
So my question is - is it normal to be constipated like this, and should I take something like Dulcolax to...move things along
Thanks all for your advice x

I always get constipated after a ga, let alone tramadol and morphine. Take some lactulose first to soften the poo before trying ducolax

OK will do. I am also having lots and lots of water to try and flush things out!

It is totally normal to get constipated after surgery - you have a post-operative ileus, as it's called. I'd try and stick to the stool softeners/bulkers rather than a laxative. So lactulose is good, as is peppermint oil or possibly liquorice.

Best of luck to you!

It's awful, you have my total sympathy. CMOT/Poledra have it spot on, wish I'd posted the question myself.

I had another laparoscopy last week to untangle my endo and detach my bowel from my abdominal wall Had a bowel prep first- never again. Laid on hospital loo floor at 1am after going so many times I was faint. Still given an enema 6 hours later. At that point I wanted to never go again; talk about careful what you wish for!

I was scared to take anything so drank loads of juice and water and it took 2 days of struggling before things were back to what my body calls normal.

Next time...

Ow Married, that sounds horrific! Are you ok now in general? Am sending get-well vibes your way

Thanks, am fine, a bit bruised but nice GP signed me off until Mon.

I went to get so called soluble stitches out yesterday as they were itching like crazy. Was told they used the wrong type of stitching so could only cut off the visible bits- can usually snip then pull remaining thread through. Maybe they can collect any undissolved ends next time

So you didn't have a bowel prep then?! Not recommended

Are you well yourself? That's a lot of painkillers to be necking.

I stopped taking mine on day 4 because I thought that was what making me constipated. It's about as sore now as it was before my op. Hoping to be able to sleep on my left side for the first time in 14 months after the bruising's gone.

I hope your recovery is quick and uneventful and that your eventual poop is painless!

...The poo arrived! Woo hoo! Took a thing called Benefibre in a pint of water and 2 hrs later I did my poo .
Actually wasn't too bad. A bit like going during my period which is always sore because of the endo.
I am off the painkillers now, just taking Nuromol if I need it (paracetamol/ibuprofen thing). Tummy is crampy but ok.
I don't have stitches, I have something that looks like nail varnish over the incisions and apparently it will wear off by Sunday... don't know what it is!

Well done you < pats head encouragingly>

Sophisticated type of skin glue. They used it to stick DDs eyebrow together when she was little. No stitch removal then- excellent