Constipation post hysterectomy

[MyStar86]

Hi,

I just need some advice I had a vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopic removal of ovaries tubes cervix etc on Friday afternoon. The surgery went well however I am in a lot of pain from the gas and I have no been able to have any bowel movements yet. I am drinking lots of peppermint tea and have peppermint capsules and peppermint cordial to help with the gas. They gave me lactose liquid in the hospital which just gave me tummy pain then I tried dulco soft which didn’t help last night I tired milk of magnesia which is usually rocket fuel for me but it didn’t work. I’m scared as I can’t push my tummy is sooooo swollen. I didn’t eat much initially so I know that didn’t help I’m trying to add flaxseed to food qs I can only eat small amounts and going to try making fruit smoothies to help. I’m scared as I had terrible bowel issues before but the other way so this is very new to me and scary the pressure is unreal I feel very sick with all the swelling mainly gas but that makes it harder to eat and drink. It’s tricky qs the pain meds just make the toilet side worse so I’m confused about what to do. I’m trying to walk around the house but usually I would bend down to help the toilet etc but can’t do that post surgery as I’m not allowed. I hope I’m not the only one going through this as I could do with some words for wisdom from those who have had the hysterectomy not just the normal endo surgery as I’ve had multiple laps for removal and never suffered like this I could always take something to make it go however with the pelvic floor side I can’t do certain things now so my body just won’t go I can push a little but scared to make it worse and pushing doesn’t help anyway too swollen.

Any advice would be good.

Thank you xx just scared

[P9LON]

Hi,

I’m 11 days post hysterectomy. I had no bowel movement for 5 days, but I was warned this could happen. I steered well clear of lactulose because that can give you tummy pains, and instead I’ve been taking cosmocol. Like you, I didn’t have much of an appetite (still don’t to be honest), and I probably should have kept up with my fluid intake (again it’s hard when you don’t want anything), but the cosmocol is good. The first time I had bowel movement it was very painful, so I tried to sit upright and hold my stomach as much as I could. Try the cosmocol or laxido (they are the same thing) x

[MyStar86 in reply to P9LON]

Hi,

Thank you so much! Well the milk of magnesia had a delayed reaction and I started going in the afternoon however I took too much so it feels like I’ve had bowel prep and I’m still going very violent. Not ideal at all but I’m just seeing it as the body can clear out all the nasty meds and hopefully it will calm down itself and I can start a fresh in a few days because I feel battered from the guts more than the surgery.

I have been using a nutribullet to make smoothies as that helps me get the fruit, fibre and goodness along with fluids in one hit. Definitely will be using that for the future as it’s really helpful and buying smoothies is way too expensive this is good even used frozen fruit which will be prefect for the summer.

Baby steps however I’m glad I went to the toilet just wish it would calm down however I am not taking anything to mess with it I’m going to try naturally after this as it’s made me feel ill going like this and won’t help my recovery but never mind I’m learning each day. I’ve only been home a couple of days so it will all be different I just have to keep calm.

How are you finding the recovery 11 days in? Are you still taking the cosmocol? I’m getting better with fluids not so keen on food but that’s where the smoothies will help.

Take care and I hope you are recovering well thanks for the help xx

[logit]

I used movicol and that allowed me to go comfortable almost straight away. You can have various numbers of sachets depending on how constipated you are. Might be worth having a chat with the pharmacist.