How long should I wait before I should have a bowel movement after a tummy tuck? I am on norco

Thank you for your question! After having general anesthesia, it can take a few days to have a bowel movement. I recommend and prescribe stool softeners for patients to take starting immediately after surgery. The goal is for bowel functions to be as normal as possible. I recommend discussing specific post op recommendations with you’re plastic surgeon. Best of luck!

Constipation is a common concern after surgery. Not only do bowels tend to slow with narcotic use, but other influences like diet change and lack of regular mobility can impact things as well. You do not want to go more than three days without having a bowel movement. Over the counter stool softeners can help, as can laxatives if needed. I encourage you to speak with your surgeon about your concerns.

Thank you for your question. It is extremely important that your bowel movements are as regular as they were prior to surgery. I make sure my patients are moving their bowels the day after surgery, and if there is any trouble, encourage them to take milk of magnesia. I suggest you reach out to your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss the issue if there is one and see what he/she recommends moving forward. Good luck and best wishes!

Thank you for your question.I am quite proactive with a bowel regimen after surgeries involving general anesthesia especially tummy tucks.  If you become constipated or impacted it can be quite uncomfortable especially after a tummy tuck or potentially bleeding or disruption of sutures if you strain too hard.So how long you should wait?  I guess my stance is I wouldn’t want you to wait.  I give colace and senna to all patients on narcotic pain meds and progress to milk of magnesia pretty quickly if there’s signs of constipation.  Stay in communication with your surgeon and make sure to stay hydrated as well.  You may need some assistance to get off and on the toilet as well immediately after surgery.Best Dr. L

Good day and thanks for your question.  After surgery general anesthesia can affect your bowel habits.  The use of pain medications (narcotics) can be very constipating therefore I always prescribe a stool softener with the pain medications for the first week to be taken twice a day.  After any surgeon you should not be straining too much to have a bowel movement, nor should you be going longer than a week without evacuating your bowels.  For this reason you should consult you certified plastic surgeon to discuss further.Drink lots of water and increase your dietary fibre.Good luck

Surgery and post-op narcotic pain medicine can lead to constipation after surgery.  This is certainly something to discuss with your own surgeon.  They are in the best position to make specific recommendations for you, including laxative medications.  In general, we expect our patients to have near normal bowel habits, and to call us if any problems arise.