Constipation after surgery

[HowAboutTheLittleSpoon]

I had keyhole surgery on Friday, was home the same morning but I haven't done a poo since Friday morning now. I had 4 doses of codeine but haven't taken that since 1am Sunday now. The hospital gave me lactulose but although I have an urge to go constantly nothing is happening. I know the lactulose has worked as (tmi) there is loose poo leaking around the blockage. Everytime I stand up I get an uncomfortable feeling and (again tmi) my bum feels 'full'. I got some laxido last night and so far took a sachet last night and one this morning. Any suggestions for how much/often I should take? I am miserable

Get something to lift your feet when you sit on the loo. Bricks, small kiddy stools etc. It will straighten the bowel and make it much easier to poo. You might find things a loose for a day or so, but hopefully will settle and you'll get some relief.

It will happen.
drink a lot.
move as much as you are able.
Don’t go far from the loo.
don’t be alarmed if you feel faint- it’s the vagus nerve. Stick your head between your knees or lean against the surrounding furniture (basin? Vanity cupboard?)

I would start eating less fibre- avoid the additional bulk and pressure!

ideally have someone around when you go. I went back to bed and slept half the day afterwards! It was remarkably draining!

I have the same problem. I started Senna yesterday, will let you know if I find that it helps. I’m following with interest for further suggestions.

Agree with walking as much as you can. Peppermint tea can help relieve wind.

It’s just something that has to be gone through with patience, but is miserable I know

I have barely eaten the past 2 days anyway as I don't want to keep adding food on top, but I'm starving. I do feel faint/panicky and sick when I am trying! Glad to know it's an actual thing not just me being weird. I do have a stool, but it's not helping. I had a laxido at about 8am, should I have another one now or later?

Also tried a suppository yesterday but it wouldn't stay in

Just to add, I spoke to the GP and they told me that as long as you pass something (wind, some liquid/loose poo - sorry TMI) then there’s no need to worry. This helped me ease my mind a bit.
From what I heard, you’re supposed to keep eating because fasting will slow down the bowls activity.

Feet on stool infront of loo. Big mug of coffee, play a game on your phone while you’re sat there.

Sounds grim, but does it help if you put a clean finger or two into your vagina to put pressure on your vaginal wall, and support the poo in coming straight down the rectum? You might have to use another finger to nudge the poo out (sorry!)

I got badly constipated after a knee replacement, due to the morphine drip. I used a sodium citrate enema. Trade names are Microlax and Micolette, and they can be bought over the counter. They're "micro-enemas", which means they're very small volume.https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjnifiS0bGCAxWnU0EAHZvaA3AQFnoECA0QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSodium_citrate%2Fsodium_lauryl_sulfoacetate%2Fglycerol%23%3A~%3Atext%3DSodium%2520citrate%252Fsodium%2520lauryl%2520sulfoacetate%252Fglycerol%2520sold%2520under%2520the%2520brandname%2Cis%2520used%2520to%2520treat%2520constipation.%26text%3DThe%2520main%2520active%2520ingredients%2520are%2Cw%252Fv)%2520and%2520glycerol.&usg=AOvVaw2tIE2z4qI4_p5U4PV50ewB&opi=89978449

Lactulose is absolute rubbish as a laxative.

Also it won't just be the codeine but the anaesthetic plus after effects of the surgery.

Try to avoid taking more codeine - I found a hard pillow held firmly against my abdomen was much better than the codeine.

Laxido is fantastic but not instant so keep at it and it will happen!

Thanks for all the suggestions. Definitely won't be taking codeine again!

DD had major spinal surgery last year where constipation is a notorious issue. She was desperate to avoid an enema (it had been 5 days) and they wouldn’t discharge her until she’d had a bowel movement. She drank 6 espressos + milky coffees, did 100s of laps of the ward in determination and that’s what finally got things moving that day! All the laxatives did was give her awful tummy cramps and made her feel nauseous

Eat, especially as you are hungry, but try things like ice cream. Calories without bulk!

It’s horrible, but it does happen- and the more uncomfortable you feel, I guess the nearer it is!

I had this issue after my first c section, and due to various issues, taking laxatives wasn’t an option for me.

The doctor prescribed me a pessary which I inserted into my bum. After an hour or so, I got the urge to go, and with some gentle pushing which took around 45 minutes, it finally came out. Can you maybe ask for a pessary?

Oh God I'd love ice cream but the surgery I had means I have to avoid fat at the moment. Yes, maybe to the pessary but I did try a suppository and it didn't work. Unfortunately I think I might throw up if I have to drink coffee!

I would try a couple of suppositories. The poo will have hardened and be in a lump -this might help -try to hold them in a while -I am talking about OTC ones which are quite gentle ime.

Oh bless you!

What about an Epsom salt bath, is that allowed after your surgery?

Sucking stimulates the gut- sweets? Preferably peppermint? Ice lollies? Ice cubes at a push?

I am desperate for a bath but my surgery was abdominal so not allowed yet. Which also makes the straining difficult. Have taken 2 sachets of laxido, lots of water and eaten a small breakfast and have just had the most success I've had in days! But still not a full poo and I think I might have given myself a pile wow so much tmi I'm glad this is anonymous

Am guessing you have had your gallbladder out.

Yes, it took a long time to poo!

In terms of fat, it's very variable how it affects people. I went straight to a normal diet and unless I eat something that is basically all butter or double cream I don't notice. And even then I might just carry on regardless and take some Gaviscon.

Most people I know without gallbladders don't even have as much as that in terms of symptoms.

I would increase water intake and maybe try a stool softener with Senna. Take it at night then start the day with a big cup of tea. I usually put my feet on a little step stool or package of loo paper to help progression. If you can’t do that, lean over your knees and grasp your calves (like you’re preparing to crash land in a plane).

Yes I had gallbladder surgery. I will be going back to eating fat but just taking it slowly as I know I could end up with diarrhea at some point too! I felt great earlier but can slowly feel the need to go again and nothing's happening so I've taken another laxido. I found sennakot in the medicine box earlier so if I get too desperate..

Hi, I have IBS so have gotten used to constipation/the runs and poo in general. A simple tip, when trying to do your poo, maybe squat on the floor and put some toilet roll down. A full squat will be the best to help move the poo. Also, don’t strain at all, take your time and let gravity do the work

Hi can I ask how did this end up for you ? And how long did it take you to recover after ?
I am going to make a thread for awareness but this is my very horrific situation
last Friday I went into hospital for impacted wisdom teeth removal under general anaesthetic, afterwards I stayed in hospital for a night because I had very low blood pressure and while there was periodically given oromorph and codeine for pain, they did give me a senekot while in hospital didn’t say why they was giving me it, they discharged me without asking if I had, had a bowel movement which I hadn’t and sent me home with more codeine, which trusting of the health professionals and unaware it gave you constipation I went home and rested in bed taking my codeine, they didn’t prescribe me any laxatives to go with this codeine and I was unaware they should.
fast forward a couple of days I was constipated but just thought it’s after affects of been out to sleep and surgery ect, another day or so later I was severely impacted and in horrific pain unable to sleep I went to the pharmacy and bought some Movicol and even administered a mini enema , I was still in horrific pain
I was on the toilet with urges to go constantly but couldn’t I was trying to manual extract which is the most traumatising thing I’ve endured , I was in the shower squatting for 4 hours getting little pieces out at a time until I was faint and dizzy ended up having to get an ambulance m, in the hospital I was still having spasms on the hard poo and I could no longer urinate which was also adding to the discomfort, literally not long before the hospital was going to do a manuel extraction I locked myself in the hospital toilet and tried again I was in there an hour trying to get this out of me piece by piece also with the pain and constant involuntary pushing happening, I finally managed to push some out with using my hands and instantly urinated and felt relief , they discharged me saying to drink plenty ect I’ve been home a few days I did have some loose stools but now everytime I go to toilet it seems I can’t push and little thin loose stools are coming out I just want to know if this is normal because I don’t feel right at all and I don’t feel the constant need to go to toilet is normal. The hospital have a lot to answer for. I’m traumatised and I’m having panic attacks that it’s going to happen again and it’s not fully gone , thankyou to anyone who replies