Constipation after lap

[Hells83bells]

Hi everyone. I had my lap Monday I have such bad constipation. Did anyone else have this problem? How long did it last? I have been eating fruit and taking lactose, but nothing is working and I haven't been since Monday

[Loopylooby]

Oh my goodness I had such bad constipation after my lap! Apparently the hospital did tell me to take laxatives but I was too drowsy to remember. My friend finally reminded me after 5 days of the op! Not pleasant, good luck!

[Hells83bells in reply to Loopylooby]

Thank you for replying. I'm relieved ( not the right word in the situation) that it's not my bowels that are broken. I literally feel like I've been kicked by a horse and my tummy, vagina and anus are all hurting. Feeling sorry for myself today. I feel worse than I did yesterday I've sent my husband to go and get a suppository so hoping that'll help soon.

[Loopylooby in reply to Hells83bells]

You poor thing. Definitely take action sooner rather than later. I was in so much pain when I finally did go as couldn't push too much due to stitches - my body just took over in the end. Good luck!

[karenb50]

Hi, I always have this problem after a lap and last time I had to actually go back to the hospital for an enema! I would speak to the nurse at your docs surgery and see what she can suggest. Don't let it go on for too much longer as it can become quite painful.

[Hidden]

Hi, it's the anaesetic that causes it, just take a laxitive like laxido and it will happen for you. Mine was 6 days after my lap, I started taking laxido on the 4th day

[leahsg]

I had my lap last Thursday and didn't go until yesterday and that was after taking a laxative (movicol helped instantly!) Would definitely suggest this if it becomes too painful, try walking about, lying on your left side and fresh orange juice first x

[jenmarshmann in reply to leahsg]

Also try stool softener like colace. Red pills ask your pharmacist they are over the counter.

[Susie30]

I took 100g of prunes a day. I split the 100g over morning noon and night! Worked a treat! found it to be better the the laxative. I'm into week 2 of my lap and now regular!

[Tina32]

I had this problem after my last lap. Constipation is also caused by taking painkillers with codeine like co-codamol which I assume the hospital has probably given you as pain relief. It is one of the main side effects of these medications. I'm having another op soon and I'm going to request no codeine meds as I suffered quite bad with constipation the last time I took them after surgery.

I also use prunes but use prune juice which I find works well. Also a teaspoon of flax seeds in food works well but drink lots of water as well as too much fibre can have the opposite effect of clogging you up increasing your constipation.

[Hells83bells]

Hi all. Thank u for your advice. It was so uncomfortable. I haven't had it with my other laps. I didn't have any codine based medication because it makes me violently sick. I think must be the anesthetic. I used a suppository yesterday and thank goodness it worked!! It was definitely adding to my tummy ache.

How did your lap go Leah? I had mine Monday and it's by far the most painful I've had (3 previously). I think maybe it's because I was in surgery for longer and they did more than before. I've woken this morning still feeling like ive been kicked by a horse. How long are planning to take off work? I've got two week sick note but may get another because I can't even move about let alone contemplating driving etc.

[jenmarshmann]

I didn't have endo but before you bleed when your body is building up the endometrium your body builds up iron so you don't get anemic from the week of bleeding. When you take iron you get constipated. It's normal to get constipated at your period from the iron build up in your body.

[Hidden]

I got myself co-codamol and swapped to just paracetamol. I felt groggy and constipated for 4 days then realised why and went to the loo the next morning. Highly recommend Psyllium husks as a long term thing too.

[R0551]

Hi all, I had my lap and end op Monday 16th feb 2015 . 4th day and feeling movement back end. I haven't opened yet. I agree taking the movicol helps move the bowel and eating plenty of fruit and move, bend, walk as much as possible. Staying lying down won't do a lot. Have plenty of fluids too. " keep moving ". All the best rache xxx

[Hannah27]

I had horrific constipation so tried senna and docusate which you can get over the counter. Also drinking lots and lots of water. Best of luck!! Xxx