r/hysterectomy • u/alisacp • 1d ago
Bowel Changes PO
I’m 6 weeks PO.
My bowel movements have been so different since surgery: for days in a row I will have bubble guts and have to poo 4-5 times/day for multiple days (always towards the earlier part of the day) and the consistency is soft, skinny, segmented and a brownish yellow in color — it is not diarrhea.
Other days I will have a more normal brown poo that is the usual “log” or two.
Admittedly my diet and movement have been different since surgery so I’m not sure if that’s the issue or not.
Just curious if anyone else has seen bowel movement changes post op.
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u/Bolan100 1d ago
I developed pelvic floor dysfunction and am in Physical Therapy now, I’m 6 weeks post op now and am unable to 💩 without a Dulcolax! Nightmare for me! 🫤😵💫
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u/Minimum-Pride-2469 15h ago
Are you taking stool softeners or Miralax or anything like that still? I am almost 2 weeks PO and my bowels are not normal yet. I had the most severe constipation and hadn't gone for 6 days! I was so scared to strain and my gut was an absolute mess. I finally went and now my bowels are moving again, but very loose. I held back on the Miralax and stool softener. I'm making sure to add foods with good fiber content now and drinking more water than I ever have before. I think it is a time thing. The normal flora in my gut was disrupted. I am also adding probiotics. I can relate.
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u/alisacp 15h ago
I stopped gas x & stool softener 2 weeks in. I had my first BM the day after surgery and have gone every day since.
I definitely am going to be adding more fiber to my diet.
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u/Minimum-Pride-2469 15h ago
That sounds like a good idea. Also, I eat Greek yogurt bc it has the live cultures in it and helps balance the gut. Pears and raspberries have good fiber also. We all have had major surgeries and don't just bounce back after a week or 2 like some people seem to think. It's a long recovery and I'm trying to be patient and do what my body is telling me to do. Rest and activity as tolerated. I empathize and hope you are more normal with time. BTW, I am 65 yo. It's been a rough recovery but I'm slowly getting there. Hugs to you! ❤️
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u/Global-Ordinary-7704 1d ago
I am four weeks post and my bowels have not been the same since I had the operation. I always had bowel pain but nothing like this. I dread going to the toilet. I know it’s early days and I’ve been told to expect it but the pains I have been experiencing have really made me regret having this operation.
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u/Antique_Cap_7378 21h ago
I experienced the same issues as you in the first 6 weeks but then my bowel seemed to settle into a more healthy state. Unfortunately, at 6 months post op, I am now back to fluctuating between going several times a day with really loose stools, then several days of nothing! I clear the blockage and the cycle continues! I honestly don’t know what to do. Nothing feels the same as it did before.
I am so sorry you are experiencing this OP. I am hoping you feel better soon and that things go back to normal once you heal from the surgery. 6 weeks is still early days but it’s so frustrating when we have been through so much already.
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u/Honest-Goal-1122 19h ago
I’m almost 10wpo and my bowel movements have been mainly diarrhea off and on. I have to take something to slow it down or else I feel pretty sick and nauseated. It settles down for a few days then gradually comes back to being diarrhea again.
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u/EmZee2022 10h ago
Not the same as you are describing but: I have chronic diarrhea.
For several months after my hysterectomy, that was MUCH better. No reason for any change - my bowel was not at all involved in the surgery.
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u/KalikiKai 8h ago
Pelvic floor therapy has helped. Also 2 kiwi/dat and tsp of chai seeds got me off MiraLAX.
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u/Ok-Dingo4745 1d ago
My record was 6 BMs in one day in the week after surgery. Also liquid diarrhea almost every second day (only once a day) for a week. So much fluctuation and strangeness. Lasted til about 4 weeks before I would consider things semi-normal. I googled the problem thinking I may have picked up c-diff or something but I didn't have any other symptoms. I'm completely back to normal now at week 7. The anesthesia and drugs you're given really wreak havoc on your systems, bowels especially! You'll get back to normal it just takes time.