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How Long After a Tummy Tuck is It Normal to Have a Bowel Movement?

asked 1 year ago by mystical_1977 in Regina, Sk
Latest answer by Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Question viewed 1,390 times
Tags: bowel movement

I went through my tummy tuck feb 4th and have a lot of gurgling in my tummy but i have not been able to have a bowel movement. I've been eating a lot of fiber and been drinking Prune juice as well as "fiber wise" How long should i go without being worried about having a bowel movement? I was really regular before surgery!

8 answers to How Long After a Tummy Tuck is It Normal to Have a Bowel Movement?

+2

10 days TT CONSTIPATION

Ten days of constipation can seem like a lifetime so keep working on it as you have been.  Dietary supplementation will help, keep active and walking regularly and make sure you don't take too much pain medication unnecessarily (despite the normal discomfort from this operation).  If you develop fevers, abdominal distention or bad cramping you will need to visit your physician for help, otherwise this happens not uncommonly.
Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

+2

Constipation after surgery is common

You ask a very common question.  Constipation after surgery is very commong.  First, you likely underwent general anesthesia and have been using narcotic pain medications.  These medications can slow your bowels down and "put them to sleep."  This is just temporary and will resolve with time.   Second, you likely ate nothing for 24 hrs and are likely eating less during your immediate postoperative phase.   Third, you may be slightly... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

How Long After a Tummy Tuck is It Normal to Have a Bowel Movement?

On average 1 week. Best to notify your chosen surgeon to advise you. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Constipation after elective cosmetic aesthetic plastic surgery: Champagne bottle and the cork!

Cosntipation after elective surgery is quite common and associated with "dehydration" and narcotic analgesics. Just like you don't want to shake up a champagne bottle before loosening the cork, we recommend that you loosen the stool first prior to using a lzitive which can be quite painful. We recommend a few doses of mineral oil prior to gentle laxitives such as MOM then to dulcolax or enemas.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and bowel movement

Becuase many patients are on pain medications jsut after surgery, this can slow down your gi tract.  it is unclear from this query what the time frame is.  Speak with tyour doctor.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bowel Function after Tummy Tuck

It is not unusual to have a period of difficulty with bowel movements following tummy tucks.  I agree that your pain medication may be a significant cause of this.  In addition to the corrective measures which you have already undertaken, you might also consider a stool softener and a suppository such as Dulcolax.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

The difficulty with bowel movement is most likely due to the post-operative pain medications (opiates).  Gradually, you will improve.
Shahin Javaheri, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fighting constipation after tummy tuck

After three to four days with no 'activity' tummy tuck patients begin to get anxious. The bowl will naturally slow down to the response of surgery, inactivity, and narcotic pain medication. Your solution is three fold. Walk as much as you can as you will feel better and things get moving. Next, keep track of the pain medication and use it wisely when needed, for every action there is a reaction. Finally start milk of magnesia, two tablespoons morning and night (yuk) and things... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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