I am scheduled for a tummy tuck next month and feel prepared for the surgery and the recovery. The only worry I have is that I have a difficult time with constipation under the best of circumstances and often have to strain to move my bowels. My primary care doctor has suggested I start Miralax a few days before the surgery, which I will do. Do you think this will be enough? What other measures could I take? Thank you.
Answer: Constipation After Surgery Thank you for your question. This is a common complaint after tummy tucks due to the use of narcotics. Miralax is a good suggestion. You may also want to begin an over the counter stool softener like Colace 2-3 times per day. Increasing your fluid intake would also be helpful. Finally stopping your narcotics at the earliest possible time would help. Supplementing with dietary fiber with vegetables and prunes can be beneficial. Best wishes.
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Answer: Constipation After Surgery Thank you for your question. This is a common complaint after tummy tucks due to the use of narcotics. Miralax is a good suggestion. You may also want to begin an over the counter stool softener like Colace 2-3 times per day. Increasing your fluid intake would also be helpful. Finally stopping your narcotics at the earliest possible time would help. Supplementing with dietary fiber with vegetables and prunes can be beneficial. Best wishes.
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Answer: Constipation after surgery? Thank you for your question.It is quite common to be constipated after surgery, especially while taking narcotics. I tell my patients to try to ween off of the narcotics as soon as possible and to push foods that help with constipation such as high fiber foods, prune juice, staying hydrated, etc. Frequent ambulation, over the counter medications and prescription medications that can be taken as well.Best to communicate with your surgeon and see what he/she suggests.Best wishes.
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Answer: Constipation after surgery? Thank you for your question.It is quite common to be constipated after surgery, especially while taking narcotics. I tell my patients to try to ween off of the narcotics as soon as possible and to push foods that help with constipation such as high fiber foods, prune juice, staying hydrated, etc. Frequent ambulation, over the counter medications and prescription medications that can be taken as well.Best to communicate with your surgeon and see what he/she suggests.Best wishes.
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December 23, 2017
Answer: Measures to prevent Constipation after Surgery Take stool softeners day prior after surgery, keep hidrated, use bulk agents like metamucil, and walk. I also recommend avoiding narcotics which are all very constipating.All narcotics like Percocet, Vicondin, Noco, Codeine have significant side effects of nause, vomiting and constipation. I recommend the use of Celebrex and Acetominophen (does not make you drowsy and less chance of nausea) plus intraoperative use of Exparel. Exparel is a very long-acting local anesthetic that lasts approximately 3 or more days following injection and great for Tummy Tucks and other surgeries. Not only does it prevent pain but also most muscle spasms. It lasts the same length of time that a pain pump lasts and will therefore take the place of a pain pump. This means patients can enjoy the same effect of a pain pump, but without any catheters and no pain pump to carry around.Exparel will be available for those concerned about minimizing discomfort after surgeries such as tummy tuck and breast augmentation.Exparel costs the same as a pain pump and produces the same result but with less hassle and works great.Narcotics are used only as needed (as cause nausea, vomiting and constipation as frequent sided effects).
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 23, 2017
Answer: Measures to prevent Constipation after Surgery Take stool softeners day prior after surgery, keep hidrated, use bulk agents like metamucil, and walk. I also recommend avoiding narcotics which are all very constipating.All narcotics like Percocet, Vicondin, Noco, Codeine have significant side effects of nause, vomiting and constipation. I recommend the use of Celebrex and Acetominophen (does not make you drowsy and less chance of nausea) plus intraoperative use of Exparel. Exparel is a very long-acting local anesthetic that lasts approximately 3 or more days following injection and great for Tummy Tucks and other surgeries. Not only does it prevent pain but also most muscle spasms. It lasts the same length of time that a pain pump lasts and will therefore take the place of a pain pump. This means patients can enjoy the same effect of a pain pump, but without any catheters and no pain pump to carry around.Exparel will be available for those concerned about minimizing discomfort after surgeries such as tummy tuck and breast augmentation.Exparel costs the same as a pain pump and produces the same result but with less hassle and works great.Narcotics are used only as needed (as cause nausea, vomiting and constipation as frequent sided effects).
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January 29, 2014
Answer: Constipation after Tummy Tuck The constipation after tummy tuck is caused by narcotic pain medications and, to some degree, anesthesia. In addition to what you describe, it may be worth making certain that your plastic surgeon uses something at the time of surgery to decrease your pain and decrease your need for narcotics. This is usually either a three day anesthetic called Exparel or a pain pump. I prefer Exparel because I can inject it exactly where I want it whereas the pain pump can move around somewhat and is not as effective in drainless abdominoplasty.Best,Dr. Pyle
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January 29, 2014
Answer: Constipation after Tummy Tuck The constipation after tummy tuck is caused by narcotic pain medications and, to some degree, anesthesia. In addition to what you describe, it may be worth making certain that your plastic surgeon uses something at the time of surgery to decrease your pain and decrease your need for narcotics. This is usually either a three day anesthetic called Exparel or a pain pump. I prefer Exparel because I can inject it exactly where I want it whereas the pain pump can move around somewhat and is not as effective in drainless abdominoplasty.Best,Dr. Pyle
Helpful
January 26, 2014
Answer: Constipation Thank you for the question.Constipation happens frequently to post op patients, there's natural ways to prevent that after surgery like drinking prune juice etc. I agree with you PS, that should help you relieve the constipation.Dr. Campos
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January 26, 2014
Answer: Constipation Thank you for the question.Constipation happens frequently to post op patients, there's natural ways to prevent that after surgery like drinking prune juice etc. I agree with you PS, that should help you relieve the constipation.Dr. Campos
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