One of those TMI questions... sorry!

 My doctor told me that I needed to be alert to possible bowel obstructions due to the severity of my scar tissue.  So of course, that in itself has made me paranoid!  My question... I haven't had a BM since Tuesday, 5 days ago... I am two weeks out from surgery tomorrow.  Is this normal or should I be taking a stool softener?

Sorry to be so gross, but I'm a bit concerned

Thanks!

I found my BM habits changed a lot after my surgery 8 weeks ago. The calcium & iron we take plus the surgical changes can really stop things up! My nut had me add a fiber supplement, which helped somewhat, but my primary doc has also OK'd Milk of Magnesia which I now take every other night... really helps, and is gentle (once I realized I only needed 1/2 the recomended dose).

They say you should avoid the ex-lax and dulcolax products and others that are stimulants... what we need are softeners. MoM is good because it works by bringing water into the digestive tract and is not a stimulant. My doc says regular use is OK.

Also... are you getting in at least 64 oz. (a gallon!) of water per day? This is important... extra fiber won't help as much unless you're meeting or exceeding your water goals.

Don't be overly concerned but DO call your doc.  We so often feel like we are going to bother someone if we call but definitely call.  I was in the hospital for 5 days and definitely didn't have one until I got home and when I did it was very loose.  After anesthesia we have to worry about constipation anyway.  Please call the doc first thing on Monday and just talk to someone to be safe because I don't want you to worry!  Don't worry about being gross, that's why we are here!
hugs, Y

Thanks for your replies!

I am getting all of my water in, well... 1 liter of water, plus the skim milk my NUT wants us to get in. I'm following the surgeon's protocol for fluid intake at this point.

I will definitely call tomorrow... at the very least to get a stool softener!

Krysti it is totally normal. I still do not go regularly. I was also told if needed I can use MOM when I was newly post-op.At my 7 wk post-op visit he told me to start taking Metamucil. But the water is very important. Since I'm low on that I have a difficult time occasionally. 

Things will all work OUT in the end. LOL

Things will all work OUT in the end. LOL

hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa  Sessa you rock!
hugs, Y