Prunes are your best friend, TRUST ME on this!
You do not want to let it get too bad because it does hurt, and prunes and prune juice are far gentler than Movicol or anything commercial.
Dried apricots and raisins help, too.
Homemade flapjacks - oats, and muesli.
Slso some yoghurt with live cultures because it's likely they'll give you anti-biotics after the op and the last thing you want is trush.
A breakfast of muesli with yoghurt on top is just the thing.
If you can, pick up some acidophilus tablets in your nearest healthfood shop and some arnica, too, for the bruising.
I bruise very easily and have a HUGE bruise on my hand from the IV. Weleda Arnica creme is sorting it out fast.
And tons of water.
I bring my own jug in and my own supply of bottled because i don't like to ring and wait for more water.
I also bring in my own hot water bottle. again, I can't be arsed ringing a buzzer and waiting.
Bring in a travel kettle and have your friend, spouse or relative fill up your water bottle if you need some extra warmth on around the backside - with a towel in between - if constipation is hurting you.
Don't try this yourself right after the anaesthesia, I did just this past week and have a bit of a burn.
DO NOT let the pain catch up with you!!!
Don't try to be brave the first few days, TAKE the pain meds as prescribed even if you have to wake yourself up to take them - bring an alarm clock.
I've had 4 major knee surgeries and learned this lesson the hard way!
Right after a big op is not the time to experiment with being hard when it comes to pain. Your body will heal better when it's not trying to constantly fight off pain, so DO NOT be afraid to ask for what you need!
I have found that I have to play hard ball to get proper pain management here, tbh. I've even had to threaten to sign out AMA and sort things myself in order to get them to cough up the drugs, and luckily I'm not the bashful type, so I hope you get a good deal.
But don't think you're being weak or a pain by asking if you're hurting.
EAR PLUGS. Go get some! Hospitals are noisy and it's hard to sleep.
Some Badger Balm or lavendar oil helps, too.
I'm very anxious and have hypertension problems, so I take along things to help soothe myself.
I bring a bike lock, as well, for my bedside cupboard. Tehy tell you not to bring valuables, but you know, I need he iPod for some chillout music and yoga breathing tapes to calm me down.
At home, a chair by the side of the toilet makes it a lot easier to slide on and off, as does a chair in the bath to shower on (a cancer patient taught me this tip).