How to prevent Constipation After Surgery

Constipation is a common problem after surgery. Many things can make constipation more likely after a surgery, including:

• Certain medicines, especially numbing medicines (anesthetics) and very strong pain medicines called opioids.
• Feeling stressed because of the surgery.
• Eating different foods than normal.
• Being less active.

Symptoms of constipation include:

• Having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
• Straining to have a bowel movement.
• Having hard, dry, or larger-than-normal stools.
• Feeling full or bloated.
• Having pain in the lower abdomen.
• Not feeling relief after having a bowel movement.

You can take steps to help prevent constipation after surgery.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• Eat foods that have a lot of fiber in them. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
• Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods. These include french fries, hamburgers, cookies, and candy.
• Take a fiber supplement as told by your health care provider. If you are not taking a fiber supplement and you think you are not getting enough fiber from foods, talk to your health care provider about adding a fiber supplement to your diet.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Drink clear fluids, especially water. Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and soda. These can make constipation worse.

Activity

• After surgery, return to your normal activities slowly, or when your health care provider says it is okay.
• Start walking as soon as you can. Try to go a little farther each day.
• Once your health care provider approves, do some sort of regular exercise. This helps prevent constipation.

Bowel movements

• Go to the restroom when you have the urge to go. Do not hold it in.
• Try drinking something hot to get a bowel movement started.
• Keep track of how often you use the restroom.

Medicine

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Talk to your health care provider about medicines that may help prevent constipation, particularly if you have a history of constipation. Your health care provider may suggest a stool softener, laxative, or fiber supplement.
• Do not take any medicines without talking to your health care provider first.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You used stool softeners or laxatives and still have not had a bowel movement within 24–48 hours after using them.
• You have not had a bowel movement in 3 days.
• You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

• Your constipation lasts for more than 4 days or gets worse.
• You have bright red blood in your stool.
• You have pain in the abdomen or rectum.
• You have very bad cramping.
• You have thin, pencil-like stools.
• You have unexplained weight loss.

Summary

• Constipation is a common problem after surgery. Many things can make constipation more likely after a surgery, including certain medicines, eating different foods than normal, and being less active.
• Symptoms of constipation include having fewer than three bowel movements a week, straining to have a bowel movement, pain in the lower abdomen, and feeling full or bloated.
• A diet rich in high-fiber foods, fluids, physical activity, and medicines, such as stool softeners and laxatives, can help prevent constipation.