Question:
How long does it take to have a BM after surgery? I'm 3 days postop.

   — 14_Mariposa (posted on January 2, 2010)

January 2, 2010
It took me about 4-5 days and when I did it wasn't very much. I had no sensation of having to go for a while, my bowels took a long time to wake up. My clinic had me on a stool softener (colace) twice a day as part of their routine list of medications to take.
   — Sa-ruh

January 2, 2010
As the other poster said take your stool softener for sure. But if on a liqiud diet right now it will take almost a week. But don't worry it will come especially when you get on soft food about every thre days or so. I am ten weeks out and only have BM every other day!
   — postalmoose

January 3, 2010
If you were on a pre-op liquid diet and now on liquids for a while, you really shouldn't have much more than "the squirts" (sorry for the term) for a while. I agree, take the softeners anyway, just to prevent binding. Nature will do what it needs to, when it needs to, so you shouldn't worry, yet! Good luck!
   — Melissa C.

January 3, 2010
I wouldn't worry yet. It was at least 5 or 8 days post op for me. It was a couple of weeks before I became regular. Your body has been through a major trauma so it takes a bit to get back on course. Best of luck.
   — Cynthia T.

January 3, 2010
I am 5 days post-op from VSG, and had the same question. Everyone reassures me that it's perfectly normal for the bowels to "wake up". I have been using Benefiber and several sugar-free had candies each day. They taste very good and they are sweetened with sorbitol, which will have a laxative effect for most people. I am still movement-free, but no longer worried about it.
   — pshock

January 3, 2010
About 5-7 days more or less
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 3, 2010
On the 4th day I had my first (semi..or whatever you want to call it cause it wasn't much) bowel movement. Trick: If you are alone and have a hard time wiping cause you might be very sore...a wooden spoon and flushable baby wipes came in handy for me!!!
   — Cari Cosyns Walker