Having really painful gas pains after tummy tuck

Question

I had my tt on Monday and the last few days I'm so bloated and having bad gas pains that I cannot expell. Gas-x hasn't helped. I cannot sleep or eat so miserable! Any suggestions?

Eddy Dona, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

After surgery developing bowel troubles such as bloating and constipation is common.
This is because:
you’ve just had abdominal surgeryyou’re less mobile,you’re taking narcotic painkillers which cause a slowing of the bowels with association constipation.
This can be a very unpleasant experience given that you can’t really strain with the muscle tightening surgery that you’ve had.
So we provide a number of medications whilst in hospital to minimise any bowel problems. And when you go home we encourage lots of fluid and fibre, and taking supplements such as Metamucil to help making going to the toilet more frequently and therefore less traumatic on your wounds/muscle repair.
The potential bloating, along with general surgical swelling, will make you appear a lot fuller in the beginning, but don’t worry, it’s all temporary and will settle.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It's a good question. When there are concerns, it's always best to touch base with your surgeon. They will be able to give you exact recommendations.After surgery, pain medicine can slow the bowels and cause constipation. In my office I recommend the patient's take stool softeners while they are taking pain medicine. Over-the-counter enema treatments can be helpful when patients are having trouble having a bowel movement.

Having really painful gas pains after tummy tuck

Answers (2)

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