one week on from laparotomy

[pinkygirl]

hi everyone, i posted on here a couple of weeks ago to mention i was due to have a laparotomy last thurs.

i was so worried about being put to sleep i didn't stop to think about afterwards! i had the 9 inch cyst removed with my left ovary and fallopian tube(which was stretched all the way around the cyst!)and the top of the cyst was actually underneath my lung.
anyway so i've been in quite a lot of pain, i left hospital on tuesday. they didn't want me to go home until i had emptied my bowels and i just couldnt do it so they gave me a suppository which made me go but it wasnt solid, like diorreah (sorry totally gross i know!) and since then i still havent emptied my bowels and i'm really worried. i have only just started eating more yesterday though.
i'm just scared something is wrong and that its not normal to not have emptied bowels after a week after the op?what should i do?
laura x x

[billyqureshi]

commonest cause of post op constipation is ileus (where the bowel becomes "paralysed" after its been tampered with during surgery). however it doesnt last that long and in your case, as someone said, my top choice would be the opiates you are most likely taking. codeine is the biggest cuprit!
billy
junior doc

[ireneo]

And being constipated puts more pressure on your insides which will cause more pain. I remember that from my surgery. Once I got things moving, I actually felt better in the tummy.

Do eat plenty of stimulating foods - whole grain cereal, juices, salads. Stay away from white bread, potatoes, etc.- all those comfort foods. Of course drink lots of water. Anything with caffeine will act as a diuretic and you'll tinkle well but it doesn't help the other part.

My post surgical instructions said "Do not use Metamucil because it can cause a blockage." Hmm. It's supposed to loosen things but they worry about blockage? I can only guess that if I didn't get enough fluid, my body would absorb the fluid from the Metamucil blob and turn too solid to pass. Ouch. If you don't do any poo's at all, call your doctor. I was only doing little ones at first but at least I knew I wasn't blocked. Take care.

[ashleybrook]

Are you taking any pain medication?  If you are this could cause constipation.  Try taking some Miralax once or twice a day.  Also, if you are in any kind of pain your body my be reacting knowing that it may hurt to go so it doesnt want to go! (does that make sense)