So its been a week and one day since my surgery and I haven't had any kind of bowel movement yet. I left a message with the surgeon but haven't heard anything back. I'm kind of freaking out. Is this normal?

No. This is not good at all. Try milk of magnesia, stool softeners, magnesium citrate and/ or an enema. You should never go more than 3 days without bm or you risk having a blockage. If none of those things work you need Togo to the er.

I use a scoop of miralax every morning. Sometimes I still need to use mom or stool softner.

Get on a regular routine and blow the doctors phone up!

7 hours ago, Losingit2018 said:

I use a scoop of Miralax every morning. Sometimes I still need to use mom or stool softner.

Actually... a lot of us experienced this! Did your doctor prescribe Miralax? Many docs do prescribe this to get things moving again after surgery. Remember... you were probably on a liquid diet before surgery and you are on a liquid diet after surgery for a while. You are also probably struggling to get your fluid and protein requirements in. Your body is NOT going to work the same for the first week or so. It took me 9 days to have a BM, but only with the help of Miralax. Anyhow, don't freak out... just get the advice of your doc. If you don't hear back, then you may want to try the Miralax on your own. I also sometimes use Milk of Mag if I feel very constipated. Make sure you keep increasing your fluid in take as well. I know it is hard, but keep trying! Really only has a problem during the first 2 months post-op, and after that I have been "my" regular. BTW... that first BM I FINALLY had wasn't particularly hard or large or anything... it was just kind of normal!

Edited January 22, 20206 yr by momof3_angels

it's not that uncommon to go a week after surgery with no BM - and just so you know, it doesn't always stop there. Constipation is a chronic issue for a lot of us. Some of us take a capful of Miralax every morning, some take daily stool softeners, some use Smooth Move tea - whatever it is that can keep you more-or-less regular. Your first BM after surgery is likely to be a doozy, though. Milk of Magnesia (MOM) may help - even though I'm mostly regular (I take Miralax every day), I sometimes have to resort to MOM for a night or two on those occasions when I get blocked up for more than two or three days.

Miralax worked for me, but i had gone through different things before i found what worked. Each person is different. You may need to try a few things before your body lets you know what is working. I do suggest keeping some enemas on hand in case of emergency.

I used Dulcolax and that helped me the best. I had constipation for weeks after my surgery, getting enough water and the dulcolax helped a lot. After I was cleared for solids it slowly got better to semi regular movements. Stay strong!

I am a huge fan of smooth move tea and stool softeners

4 hours ago, AJ Tylo said:

Get on a regular routine and blow the doctors phone up!

Huh? I have been on a regular routine for 15 years now. Not sure what you are talking about. Miralax is very safe and even given to children.

15 minutes ago, nonchalantlymomo said:

I am a huge fan of Smooth Move tea and stool softeners

Yes. I like the smooth move tea on occasion as well.

It was at least 5 or 6 days after surgery before I had anything to "produce" and even now, 3 months post op, I often go several days without a BM.

Given the fact that not much is going in, it would be fair to say that not much needs to find it's way out but one tool that has been most beneficial to me is the squatty potty.

2 hours ago, Maria1977 said:

It was at least 5 or 6 days after surgery before I had anything to "produce" and even now, 3 months post op, I often go several days without a BM.

Given the fact that not much is going in, it would be fair to say that not much needs to find it's way out but one tool that has been most beneficial to me is the squatty potty.

Yup same I didn’t produce anything until about 6-9 days out and it was bare minimum. Once you transition to soft food bot ohhh boy be very careful to get all of your daily fiber even in chewable form. I was blocked up to the point I was in the er for help but after that once I could have some broccoli I was making sure it was a snack in the diet whenever I could but I’m about 2 1/2 months post op and my movements is like once every 3 maybe 4 days.

Miralax, but also stated eating plant based food that help big time. still can only drink 22oz of water a day, and only 1 time did I drink 32oz in one day.

Wow I had no idea a topic on bowel movements would cause so much attention.

Thank you to all who took the time to reply.

I went to my first follow-up appointment and the surgeon told me to start with Miralax (like I did for the bowel prep) to begin the "initial flush," then to switch to fiber gummies and take those with my supplements.

I appreciate everyone's responses, thank you once again. This has been such an overwhelming initial two weeks. I start pureed foods next week which I was told would also help with the bowels as well.

On 1/22/2020 at 12:42 AM, Losingit2018 said:

No. This is not good at all. Try milk of magnesia, stool softeners, magnesium citrate and/ or an enema. You should never go more than 3 days without bm or you risk having a blockage. If none of those things work you need Togo to the er.

I use a scoop of Miralax every morning. Sometimes I still need to use mom or stool softner.

My surgeon today told me to take Miralax. Fingers crossed!

1 hour ago, kc892020 said:

My surgeon today told me to take Miralax. Fingers crossed!

It will work if you take daily. It may take a few days to work because it is so gentle though.