Sorry if this is TMI...but I am 4 weeks out and been tolerating everything great—no issues. today, I had to strain very hard to have a bowel movement. Now, not only do I feel like I still need to go, but I have developed a burning pain that if I move just right is when I feel it—it’s not continual. But it feels like maybe I strained a muscle in my belly. It’s between the belly button and the scar where they removed the stomach out of. Has anyone experienced this? Should I be worried? Obviously I need to drink more water......but I’m worried about the pain.

9 hours ago, Rachel2018 said:

Sorry if this is TMI...but I am 4 weeks out and been tolerating everything great—no issues. today, I had to strain very hard to have a bowel movement. Now, not only do I feel like I still need to go, but I have developed a burning pain that if I move just right is when I feel it—it’s not continual. But it feels like maybe I strained a muscle in my belly. It’s between the belly button and the scar where they removed the stomach out of. Has anyone experienced this? Should I be worried? Obviously I need to drink more water......but I’m worried about the pain.

Could be a strained muscle, could be the hardened fecal matter causing pain in that area as well.

Are you drinking upwards of 128 oz of water a day?
Are you taking extra or tracking your fiber intake?

Get yourself some Colace, Milk of Magnesia and some Miralax to help soften (Smooth Moves Tea is another good choice to add in here) and move everything, but you REALLY need to up that water intake, dehydration and hardened feces can be quite problematic, good luck!

My doc says at leasat 64 oz but I have been a little shy of that each day so that is definitely something I need to kick up some. When I talked with the nurse today, she said I definitely pulled a muscle straining....maybe even broke a stitch or two but that either way, it would heal—just will take time. They have me taking a dose of miralax each night to help my body get used to needing to “add” more water to my intestines again. When you are on liquids, your body gets used to not having to “add” more water, so I need to re-teach my body also. So glad it’s nothing serious, but you are right—WATER, WATER, WATER!