Question:
Why? do so surgeons ask & some don't ?

After my pre-op admission appointment. I asked do I have to do a bowel prep? I was very surprised when they said that my surgeon doesn't ask the patients to do one. Well for me I feel that I will be doing one anyhow. because I don't want to be all constipated after surgery. with all the medicines they give you also. I'll just feel better if I did this cleaning out thing.    — Naes Wls J. (posted on November 22, 2002)

November 22, 2002
It does'nt sound like a bad idea to me. It could even help some, like in case of a leak. My surgeon does'nt require one either. I was wondering if I should do this to before my surgery on 11/26/02.
   — Debby M.

November 22, 2002
My surgeon not only doesn't require them, he discourages them. He found that many of his patients became too highly dehydrated when doing a bowel prep before surgery. It strips your body of moisture and post-op your fluids are extremely limited at first so you can't replenish them quickly. He finds that by putting you on a clear liquid diet the day before surgery you keep your fluid levels high and the natural action of liquids cleans you out well enough for surgery - most of your excrement is low in the bowel where he isn't working. I didn't get constipated at all. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 22, 2002
I didn't have to do one. I was on a liquid diet for two days. You should really discuss this with your surgeon.
   — Julie S.

November 22, 2002
I didn't have one, either. I was on liquids only for two to three days before surgery. I had no problems after surgery.
   — Roxanne M.

November 23, 2002
For what it's worth, my surgeon didn't require a bowel prep before surgery either. No problems!
   — Suzy C.

November 23, 2002
My surgeon didn't require a bowel prep either and I was not on a liquid diet pre-op. I ate pretty normally with the exception that I ate a little less than normal and no food or liquids after midnight. I didn't have any problems with constipation. But if you want to do it then what's holding you back? Do what you feel is right.
   — Tracy A.

November 23, 2002
My surgeon didn't require it either. 2 days of clear liquids prior to surgery will clear everything out. Good Luck!
   — LisaTaz

November 25, 2002
My surgeon did require one. I wouldn't have done it if he didn't! The stuff you have to drink is disgusting! I don't know if it helped anything or not but I didn't have to have a bm till my third post-op day which was kinda nice!
   — Pamela R.

November 25, 2002
Nadine, My Dr has me eat a regular breakfast, then soft foods for lunch, and a clear diet for supper. Nothing after midnight.No bowel prep. Nancy Poe
   — NANCY P.

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