bowel movements after tummy tuck

I had a tt & bl/br on Tuesday morning but I have not had a bm since Monday. I have been taking colace, but it doesn't appear that I have had a need to go. I don't feel the pressure that you normally feel when constipated. I was just wondering if anyone else did not go for awhile after surgery? When should I start to worry? I haven't had any problems w/ urination & the pain level is kept under control w/ meds.

Pain meds can slow things down a bit. As long as you are comfortable (no constipation) I wouldn't worry. But if after several days you don't go & no pain meds I would take some MM or Smooth Move tea. That's me though. Check with your PS for the final word.

If you are eating normally, you should have a BM soon. Drink lots of water, try metamucil in addition to the colace. (you can take colace twice a day) If no results try some Milk of Magnesia. I am a hospice nurse and all our patients get constipated on pain meds and inactivity. We also routinely put them on senna, a vegetable bulk forming pill. You must take water so these don't become cement in your intestines.

This has happened to me after all of my surgeries/pain meds. I always take a stool softener, but it never really works. I end up having to use a suppository after about a week. Not fun, but it works... Best wishes to you and yours Isha 366 /151/ 170 sw cw gw Lower Body Lift, Multiple Hernia Repair & Arms 5/5/06 Upper Stomach revision, Arm Scar revision & mons revision 11/22/06

I had my TT a month ago. The pain meds definitely slow things down. I think it was close to a week for me. Be careful what you wish for...the muscles used to "push" in my case were the ones tightened and I thought I was going to die trying the pain was so bad. Lesson learned- do what ever you can to soften and ease the process. Mary K

Milk of magnesia and 2 cups of strong coffee. Preferably not together (lol). Works like a charm for me. If worse comes to worse use a Fleets Glycerin Suppository. They are gentle and work within a half and hour. I keep them in my fridge at all times. I will say, that first one after my TT, scared me. Thought I was gonna tear something. But it wasn't that bad.

thanks for all the responses. I finally started getting the feeling that I needed to go but I just couldn't do it. So I did a Fleet Enema. It worked, but oh my did it hurt when I finally went! But at least the 1st time is over with & the next time it shouldn't be so bad.

I took Correctol for women- I have had a lot of trouble post-op from my plastics with bowel movements. I know we are all different; listen to your body, and CALL YOUR DOC if you think you need to. Don't wait too long. Grace 303/138

I had TT and BL/BA on Nov 27th. I went almost 8 days with no BM and had to do something! Pain meds will constipate you, as you now already know. Drink lots of water! I used Ex Lax MOM. I took 2 T and you MUST drink LOTS of water with it. I did that twice and I went and went and went, LOL. DOn't wait as long as I did. I was begining to hurt. Wish you a speedy recovery!! Melinda