Introduction
Constipation is when a person has fewer than three bowel movements a week; has difficulty having a bowel movement; or has stools that are dry, hard, or larger than normal. Many things can make constipation likely after surgery. They include:
Medicines, especially numbing medicines (anesthetics) and very strong pain medicines called narcotics.
Feeling stressed because of the surgery.
Eating different foods than normal.
Being less active.
Symptoms of constipation include:
Having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Straining to have a bowel movement.
Having hard, dry, or larger-than-normal stools.
Feeling full or bloated.
Having pain in the lower abdomen.
Not feeling relief after having a bowel movement.
Follow these instructions …show more content…
These include french fries, hamburgers, cookies, and candy.
Take a fiber supplement as told by your health care provider. If you are not taking a fiber supplement and think that you are not getting enough fiber from foods, talk to your health care provider about adding a fiber supplement to your diet.
Drink clear fluids, especially water. Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and soda. These can make constipation worse.
Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Activity
After surgery, return to your normal activities slowly or when your health care provider says it is okay.
Start walking as soon as you can. Try to go a little farther each day.
Once your health care provider approves, do some sort of regular exercise. This helps prevent constipation.
Bowel movements
Go to the restroom when you have the urge to go. Do not hold it in.
Try drinking something hot to get a bowel movement started.
Keep track of how often you use the restroom. If you miss two or three bowel movements, talk to your health care provider about medicines that prevent constipation. Your health care provider may suggest a stool softener, laxative, or fiber
Constipation is when a person has fewer than three bowel movements a week; has difficulty having a bowel movement; or has stools that are dry, hard, or larger than normal. Many things can make constipation likely after surgery. They include:
Medicines, especially numbing medicines (anesthetics) and very strong pain medicines called narcotics.
Feeling stressed because of the surgery.
Eating different foods than normal.
Being less active.
Symptoms of constipation include:
Having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Straining to have a bowel movement.
Having hard, dry, or larger-than-normal stools.
Feeling full or bloated.
Having pain in the lower abdomen.
Not feeling relief after having a bowel movement.
Follow these instructions …show more content…
These include french fries, hamburgers, cookies, and candy.
Take a fiber supplement as told by your health care provider. If you are not taking a fiber supplement and think that you are not getting enough fiber from foods, talk to your health care provider about adding a fiber supplement to your diet.
Drink clear fluids, especially water. Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and soda. These can make constipation worse.
Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Activity
After surgery, return to your normal activities slowly or when your health care provider says it is okay.
Start walking as soon as you can. Try to go a little farther each day.
Once your health care provider approves, do some sort of regular exercise. This helps prevent constipation.
Bowel movements
Go to the restroom when you have the urge to go. Do not hold it in.
Try drinking something hot to get a bowel movement started.
Keep track of how often you use the restroom. If you miss two or three bowel movements, talk to your health care provider about medicines that prevent constipation. Your health care provider may suggest a stool softener, laxative, or fiber