How Long Till You Have a Bowel Movement After a Tummy Tuck? My Last BM;monday the 16th Surgery Was17th?

Question

My last bm was Monday the 16 th and my surgery was the 17th and today is the 19 th and I still haven't hada bm should I be worried?

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Narcotics commonly decrease bowel motility and can cause constipation. Check with your surgeon about the use of a laxative or stool softener.

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

My wife chuckles when she hears me dishing out advice to my patients about bowel movements. Usually, a high fiber diet, a preoperative bowel cleansing, and post operative MOM is all that you need. That's usually, not always. Call your doctor. They did your surgery. Report any chills, fever, vomiting, gas, bleeding,or new pain. I don't believe in panic but indifference is worse.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Given your exposure to anesthesia and postop pain meds that contain narcotics, you will likely not have a bowel movement for several days. These narcotics can slow down your bowels. You can take stool softeners over the counter to counteract the effects of the pain pills. Avoid straining. Best wishes.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Narcotic medication will give you constipation.  Try to drink more fluids, cut down on the narcotic medications for pain and take Milk of Magnesia at bedtime, two tablespoonsful.

Gregory Sexton, MD · Answer

What you are reporting is not uncommon. The medicines given to you by anesthesia inhibit bowel function, as do all narcotics given for pain. Eventually things will start moving. Taking less pain medicine will help, as will drinking fruit juices.

	Good luck

How Long Till You Have a Bowel Movement After a Tummy Tuck? My Last BM;monday the 16th Surgery Was17th?

Answers (5)

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