Pooping problem!!!

I had extended abdominoplasty on Wednesday and have NOT had a bowel movement since. Gas is passing so it's not a blockage but I feel like I'm going to explode. I started stool softeners and ExLax immediately after surgery but tonight I drank a bottle of the dreaded, hated, horrible Mag Citrate - that's how desparate I am. Have eaten fruit, prunes, hot tea. Any other suggestions - keep em coming. Know this too will pass (no pun - it's not funny) but darn I'm uncomfortable. Thanks for letting me rant!
Hugs,
Lana

Ouch - I haven't had my plastics yet, but I have had 3 other surgeries and I had the same problem after each one.  Aside from doing what you already are doing, you might want to check in with your doctor before adding any more OTC stuff.

I do know that after surgery I had I was told to use Sennakot - S specifically as opposed to a regular laxitive.  They explained the reason as to why it works differently but I can't remember - I just know that's the one I buy for post op stuff.

How about Fiber One cereal?  The original one?  

for 'the first time' after surgery,  I used an  enema, and filled it up with warm water 3 x

then I would start to take 4 stool softeners with exlax a night, and things went smooth from there....

best wishes, hope you feel better soon!!  Karin

ps. I am 5 weeks out and still take 2-3 pills at night, just so there is no straining at all.

Try the glycerin suppositories, my PCP recommended them. 

Lana-
If what you have already taken does not give you results -- I would not take anything else until you speak with your surgeon or GI doc.  You may be impacted.   Pain medications are infamous for causing constipation.  Talk to your doc about this, he might allow you to take something like Miralax everyday until you are off of the pain meds.  In the mean time I would step up on your fluids.  Most of the time the stuff we take for constipation needs the fluids to be effective. 

Red

I have the same problem with each one too. When I had my brachioplasty, I decided I should take a stool softener the morning of surgery so I could for sure poop after surgery. Well, here I am coming out of anasthesia telling the nurse I have to poop. My arms are out like a mummy, I can't move. The nurse is telling me I shouldn't have to poop, it might just be a feeling. 10 minutes later, husband runs me in bathroom, I poop and he has to wipe! 

Needless to say, no stool softener this time! 

Can you take a stool softener now?

Hugs,
Kimberly

Besides swelling this is the worst part of Post-Op!

I found 3 Dulcolax LAXATIVES (not stool softeners) does the trick for me usually.  Sometimes I had to take them 2 days in a row and then it gets going.  Once it does start I switch to stool softeners to keep things moving easily.  I also do a scoop of Metamucil type stuff once or twice a day.  I learned all this the hard way....but it definitely helped after my last procedure.  

Like Red said....if you've taken lots of preps and nothing is happening you might want to speak to your surgeon....an enema might be needed....

Hope you get some relief real soon.

I had the same thing happen to me.  It was horrible!!  My surgeon wanted me to try natural methods.  He brought me prune juice and I was trying softeners.  Needless to say about the 5th day I was impacted and literally had to dig.  When I got home the glycerin suppositories worked like a charm.  Trying to work it out from the other direction just didn't work.  You have to clean out from the other first.  Sorry this is so gross but it was a horrible thing to go through.  Once you get things going then keep them going with softeners or laxatives.  Good Luck, Toni

a tbsp or two of ground flaxseed works like a charm... either put it in oatmeal or in a protein shake :)

Glad that you are doing well..My Gastro doc recommended  Phasym  to me you can get it at any drugstore and it really helps with gas pains if you are experiencing that..How did the surgery go?  Good Luck  Diane