Operation starving

Has anyone been asked to not eat at all during the day before their op? Mine is a hysterectomy (I have bowel involvement in my endo so I’ll also be doing the bowel prep).

[rozwalts]

I had a colonoscopy a week ago and couldn't eat for over 24 hours. When I had my hysterectomy in 2011 I was allowed toast seven hours before the op, though I didn't have to do the bowel prep beforehand.

Have you had to go on the low residue diet for five days before using the bowel prep? I thought that was going to be the killer, but it turned out it cured what was wrong with me. Well perhaps not cured, but I felt so much better on the diet. Maybe not the greatest diet in the world, but until I see my GP at the end of the month, I am sticking to it, more or less. I am trying a few extra foods that were not allowed on the low residue diet.

[ccsmith]

I had a strict eating plan before my lap and removal of endo on bowel. I can’t remember full details but it was something like no pasta/potatoes/starchy veg day 3. Then it was light diet with fortidrinks and sachet of bowel prep day 2. Then clear fluids with bowel prep and fortidrinks day 1. I would check with your pre operative assessment nurse as there the ones that know what you do for each operation! I would say if your having a hysterectomy and possible bowel surgery you will need an empty bowel to be safe.

Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to ccsmith]

I’ll follow the instructions (wouldn’t want to risk doing anything different) it just seems so extreme 😂 xxx

[rozwalts in reply to Hidden]

It takes a while for the bowel to be completely empty, hence the no food for 24 hours. I don't know what bowel prep you are having, but it is a good idea to add some sort of flavouring to it. I used lime cordial. Not that it was as bad as I had expected. I thought the bowel prep would taste like salty dishwater, but it was more like Andrews Liver Salts without the fizz. Mine was Moviprep by the way.

[Hidden in reply to rozwalts]

I have Moviprep too 👍🏻 I’ve had it once before for a colonoscopy and didn’t find it too bad. I think having it chilled helps too xxx