4 days in from hemicolerectmy

[Gegee]

Hi guys and gals

..... Had a left hemicolectomy on Tuesday morning only a few inches taken out for diverticulitus .... Have been walking and eating since Tuesday night ... Sausage and mash, ice cream, macaroni cheese, eggs etc... They took my catheter out and the staples from the surgical wounds out Wednesday morning .. Wanted me home that day but I said I was more happy with staying another day . Came out Thursday .....It's now Saturday and I haven't had bowel movement yet ... And started to get a bit worried ... The doctors did not really give me any info on what to expect the next few days .. Passed a bit of wind a couple of times today and yesterday ... Is this normal ? ... Been adding up all the food iv eaten the last few days .. And I'm sure it needs to be out of me by now Thanks for your help and patience

[midlifemom]

Did they talk to you about stool softener?
Perhaps that would help.
If nothing by Monday, I would call the doc.

[ziggymonster]

Agree...try stool softener,drink lots of water, and walk. It is kind of scary......all that food backing up!

[WriterGirl1969]

Hi guys and gals

..... Had a left hemicolectomy on Tuesday morning only a few inches taken out for diverticulitus .... Have been walking and eating since Tuesday night ... Sausage and mash, ice cream, macaroni cheese, eggs etc... They took my catheter out and the staples from the surgical wounds out Wednesday morning .. Wanted me home that day but I said I was more happy with staying another day . Came out Thursday .....It's now Saturday and I haven't had bowel movement yet ... And started to get a bit worried ... The doctors did not really give me any info on what to expect the next few days .. Passed a bit of wind a couple of times today and yesterday ... Is this normal ? ... Been adding up all the food iv eaten the last few days .. And I'm sure it needs to be out of me by now Thanks for your help and patience

Hi Gegee.
I'm no expert, but I would say if you feel worried, call the doc and check. At the very least, it should ease your mind to know.
I know when I was in they wouldn't release me until I had passed gas. They said going home wasn't dependent on a poo, but they kept asking. For me, I had a "dirty fart" (scuze the terms), or just a smear on the toilet paper, so that wasn't much, but by Saturday (so just over 48 hours) I had a small poo. In spite of eating, if you did any sort of surgery prep your colon was probably fairly empty, so it can definitely take a few days for things to get moving. Try not to stress. Keep walking, and call doc. Best of luck!
Hugs and prayers,
Tracy

[Chayo]

Are you taking narcotic pain meds? Mine caused severe constipation - I had gas and poop in the hospital before being released, but from Sunday to Friday nothing at all. On Friday I stopped the pain meds and within 24 hours was pooping.

[Gegee]

Are you taking narcotic pain meds? Mine caused severe constipation - I had gas and poop in the hospital before being released, but from Sunday to Friday nothing at all. On Friday I stopped the pain meds and within 24 hours was pooping.

I have taken 2 tramadol at 10pm each night only, because I know how theses things can bung you up ..... I phoned up the hospital ... They advised to take a sachet of movicol laxative .... That was at 10 this morning ...... It's now 3.30pm ... And still no movement .... It will be a whole week of no bm by tomorrow night

Thanks for everyone's help !

[Thetoad]

Any luck yet? It can take a while. I was told, 'if you can pass gas, then the rest will follow!' I was given a laxative and the rest did follow. Much to my embarrassment, as it was about 2 am while I was still in hospital and in bed. Half asleep and gave a good push, thinking it was wind. You can guess the rest... Wonderful nurses though, about three of them came to my aid. You'll be fine.