Question:
Does anyone have a BM in the hospital after surgery..

Hello, I am on my way to hopefully having surgery, and one question I always seem to be wondering about is the BM question. I believe my surgeon requires the cleansing of the intestines/bowels the day before surgery, so then, my question is this: Will we even need those tongs since we've not eaten anything since we cleaned our systems out, do you actually have a BM after surgery, while in the hospital?    — Meghan R. (posted on January 26, 2006)

January 26, 2006
I didn't have one until I got home and it was about 2 day after I got home so about 5 days after surgery. I didn't have to use the tongs. I had my surgery lap and I was fine. Didn't need them at all. Good luck.
   — melissagarcia

January 26, 2006
I didn't have one but doesn't mean we are all alike. I had problems there before surgery like 1 time a week .
   — NYCindy

January 26, 2006

   — [Deactivated Member]

January 26, 2006
I had open RNY and one of the things the doctor/nurses looked for was urine/ bm output. I was in the hospital 4 days with nothing to eat 12 hours before checking into the hospital. Once the catheter was removed after a day and a 1/2 I began having large amounts of urine output. On the last day since I had begun to eat jello I had a bm which was very loose nurses stated it would firm up as I ate more protein which it did. I used the tongs for about 3 days and then got rid of them. As was stated above each surgery is different.
   — 1968 Loser

January 26, 2006
My surgeon doesn't let you out of the hospital until you have one. I had the cleansing thing before surgery too, so it wasn't much, but still..... I'd take them to be safe! Bekki
   — bekster

January 26, 2006
Thanks so much every one for your great answers. I really appreciate it. I was hoping to forego that part of the post-op experience until I got home and was able to wipe w/hands, but, I guess when I do get surgery I need to bring that with. I have no idea how it would even work-but-I guess I'll figure that out later! Thank you all, once again! OH has proven time and time again to be a very valuable resource.
   — Meghan R.

January 26, 2006
I was required to have a BM before I could be discharged from the hospital.. They told me that If I couldn't do it on my own, they would give me a suppository to help... I did so on my own..lol Lap Rny: 6/17/05 - started @ 283, now 154
   — mzb2u

January 26, 2006
Wow, I cannot believe all the different answers to this one! Isn't it amazing the difference in surgeon's requirements. I really don't get the BM in the hospital requirement since nothing solid has been eaten for anywhere from 3-5 days. My surgeon didn't require a BM, thank goodness because it didn't happen until day 3 after being home, so six days after the surgery. I hap Lap RNY and was able to take care of my needs without the assistance of tongs or a long handled spoon, but I was prepared, just in case! I think wrapping toilet tissue around the spoon end of a long handled wooden spoon would have been my method, if needed. Better to be practiced and prepared and NOT need it, then to be unprepared and up a creek without a paddle. (or spoon, lol) Good luck! PS Bowels afterwards were very gassy and loose, so be prepared. All liquid diets can do that to you, plus I think there may have been so residual blood because it was very dark. (sorry if tmi)
   — LauraA