What should be used for bloating/constipation after BA surgery?

Thank you for your question. Abdominal swelling is normal after breast augmentation. Swelling follows gravity and thus your abdomen (and sometimes the thighs) will experience more swelling and add confusion to the post-op period. You may even notice that you've added many pounds on the scale that cannot be explained solely by the addition of implants. You should notice a decrease in the abdominal swelling with each week that passes by.  As far as constipation, I would recommend stool softeners and fiber supplements to help.  If it persists, then I would talk to your plastic surgeon about some prescription medications that can help with the constipation.

All narcotics like Percocet, Vicondin, Noco, Codeine have significant side effects of nausea, vomiting, bloating 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).We also have our patients put on a Scopolamine patch the morning of surgery and leave it on for 3 days and to have other antinausea meds at home like Emend or Odansetron oral dissolving tablets.

I generally recommend eating prunes or will prescribe a stool softener to my patients that are experiencing bloating and constipation.  The pain medications you are taking can cause these symptoms.  You should call your plastic surgeon and ask for their recommendation.  You paid a lot of money for your surgery and should not fear calling your surgeon.Best,

Some of the abdominal symptoms seen after breast augmentation can be related to narcotic pain medication use. Minimizing the use of these medications will help. Many surgeons are now using a long acting local anesthetic called exparel to help minimize the amount of pain medication needed with surgery. You can also use over the counter stool softeners like colace after your procedure. I have seen quite a few patients that have abdominal swelling after breast surgery who haven't used any narcotic pain medication though. The good thing is that the swelling is very temporary and is usually gone in about 10 days. 

Dear Syllpop,   The most common cause for bloating or constipation after breast augmentation is narcotics - pain medication. That is due to the slow down of the bowl contractions. It is dependent on the amount of narcotics that you take. So if you cut down on the dosage of the narcotics and alternate it with acetaminophen (tylanol) you will reduce the occurrence of that condition. Hydration is also helpfull and for those patients who suffer from that condition I recommend Dulcolax suppositories which you can get over the counter. I do not recommend the pill because they can cause excessive abdominal pain . I hope this helps. Consult with board certified plastic surgeons and check their before and after pictures to make sure that you like the results.                  Best of luck,                                   Dr Widder

If you have undergone surgery, you were exposed to narcotics and likely have taken some postop pain medications.  These medications can slow down your bowels which can contribute to bloating or constipation.  This should resolve within a 1 week after surgery.  You can take over the counter stool softeners like Colace.  If this persists, please see a physician. 

Thank you for the question.I always advice patients to buy some METAMUCIL at your local pharmacy, this is an over the counter remedy that can give you ease and comfort.

Good hydration (water and electrolytes), fruit, fiber, colase (stool softener), glycerin suppositories, Milk of Magnesia (mild lax), Magnesium Sulfate (strong lax) are all modalities to treat constipation and bloating.Pain medicine (narcotics) and immobiity can slow bowel perstalsis and function.Best wishes