Hi everyone, just a quick question.. How long did you all go after a lap without having a poo? Had my lap last Tuesday and haven't been. xx

[Pink-Lilly]

[hairstylist_naz]

Hiya!

I went a whole 10days, its really frustrating! My doctor said its a combination of where iv had surgery (i had quite alot on bowel) and also because you are recovering and not very active that slows everything down. I ended up a whole can of beans and it didn't work lol!! Eventually everything did go back to "normal" after my 2-3rd week. You just have to try and eat well and be patient, i know its easier said than done!

Hope that helps x

[_Tamsin_]

I haven't had a laporoscopy, but I know this is a very common problem after surgery and nothing to worry about, although it must be very frustrating! I am an occupational therapy student, and on my last placement worked in an orthopaedic ward where most patients had recently had surgery. Some of them couldn't go for weeks! Although I am sure this will not happen to you X

[daffodil]

Definitely try get bowels going asap,as the more constipated you get the worse the pain will be.You will be getting uncomfortable now! Anaethetic can also cause paralytic illeum( happens to me every time) so if (sorry so crude) you do not feel the urge to go,you need a stronger laxative to make you!!Codeine based painkillers are notorious for constipating.!I get prescribed microgal which Is a poweder you take in water and it works a treat.Also prunes,beans,fruit ,veg and plenty water( not caffeine) and caffeine free teas.Lots of otc laxatives also but I would advise speaking to Gp as if you get totally bunged up after surgery,you can end up needing enemas.Also you gota go,to clear out all these toxins from the anaesthetic,painkillers ect.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.Hugs,

[Impatient]

Even waiting 4 to 5 days is enough before taking steps to get things shifted asap.

Get to the chemist or big supermarket and buy some suppository pellets and disposable gloves (sold in multibags near the nappy section) and set yourself some time this evening or tomorrow morning.

The glycerine ones are very good for this issue.

You wet the pellet with water and using a gloved hand, shove it as far up your back passage as you can and then wait.

The glycerine draws water in to the bowel and breaks down the impacted poop.

However as a warning, you will feel the need to go to the loo after about 30 mins, but my advice is to hold on as long as you can - aiming for an hour if you bear it.

The longer the gylcerine is inside you the more fluid the bowel absorbs and the more poop will break down and evacuate when you go to the loo.

You might need to do this once a day for 2-3 days to clear a post op bloackage.

You can also tackle the problem from the other end by drinking lactulose or other laxative liquids, but these are not nearly so effective when you have been bunged up for so long.

Tackling the problem from down below is so much more effective.

Keep drinking plenty of water to top up the fluids lost in the treatment process.

the reason for the constipation is the pain killers you will have been on which do cause you to get bunged up right away after the op and everything you scoff afterwards just adds to the backlog, so clearing the blockage from below will always be the better way to tackle this, even if the thought of using suppository fills you will horror, it really is not that difficult to do.

the worst bit is holding on clenching your bum muscles for as long as possible before finally getting to the loo. 1st treatment may not clear the blockage and might be more fluid than poop, but after the 2nd or 3rd day you should be sorted out and back on the right track.

I now keep suppositories on standby with gloves in my medicine draw. I get bunged up after ever op or spell on the strong pain killers. It happens to most of us.

Had this only been day 2 or 3 I would have suggested the oral laxatives - but by this stage you need to tackle the far end asap. The longer you leave off doing this the worse the problem gets and the longer it will take to resolve. It certainly doesn't help your healing process to be holding on to so much waste in the pipes. Best of luck, and don't be shy about doing this.

I'm afraid its just another of those annoying but very common things that happens to us endo ladies. After you are cleaned out, make sure you are eating a healthy balanced diet for a few weeks - not necessarily the endo diet, but get plenty of fresh fruit veges and drnk plenty of water with them.

[daffodil in reply to Impatient]

Oh -there cant be many forums where we can feel free to discuss poop,constipation,painful sex !!Very glad so many can help as doctors really don't give any advice on bowels after surgery.

[missemmabenson]

Think I was around 4 or 5 days, was about to call the ward if it was any longer. I think it's a combination of the painkillers and your body still being sleepy. Just make sure you are eating well and drinking lots! Plenty of fibrous foods x

[Princessm]

Hiya it took me about two weeks to be able to open my bowels. It was so painful and then when I could manage to it was only small xx

[Hidden]

Hi there! If it has been 7 days without a bowel movement, you need to consider going to the ER and having an enema. I was 7 days post op with no bowel movement but was passing wind so that is reassuring. I couldn't tense any lower muscles so a bowel movement on my own was not an option, I had an enema and it was so helpful and a relief I discomfort as being constipated from the drugs and anaesthetic really doesn't help the healing process. Do not take laxatives, if needed stool softeners are your best bet.

[Pink-Lilly]

Thanks ladies. I took some stuff last night to help me go, no luck yet but getting abit of a tummy ache so maybe it's got it moving. Tried doctors but there busy so will try again a little later. xx