It is common for women who are recovering from a hysterectomy to experience constipation. If you are experiencing constipation after your hysterectomy, we have different ways and techniques to avoid being uncomfortably bound up. Because you are in recovery, your body isn’t getting the same amount of activity as it was before so keeping it as active as possible prevents you from experiencing constipation.
Your doctor also can recommend some ways for constipation relief while you recover from your procedure.
Why Do I Get Constipation after a Hysterectomy?
What is the reason you experience constipation after your hysterectomy? Constipation can occur for many reasons, such as a symptom of pain medication, reduced fluid intake, and less mobility as patients are resting most of the days after their surgery. The anesthesia used during your hysterectomy also paralyzes your bowel movement. Your bowel movements become irregular due to it recovering from the anesthesia.
Cramping, constipation, and irregular bowel movement are all common for women to experience after their procedure. These bowel problems go away several days and weeks after your hysterectomy. Your hospital diet also affects your system, as it could delay your normal bowel movement due to the minimal amount of food and drink you can have.
How to Get Relief from Constipation after a Hysterectomy?
Your doctor’s aftercare instructions may have you on bedrest or limit your physical activities which won’t help you get back to your regular bowel movement. Try these tips to get the constipation relief you need.
Liquid diet
Hydration helps you to get your bowel movement back on track after your procedure. Drink plenty of fluids while you are recovering. Even broths, soups, and smoothies will aid in waking up your digestion to get things moving again. They are easier for your stomach to digest and helps you avoid constipation.
Walk it out
Get up to take short walks to the bathroom and kitchen during your first few days of recovery. The sooner you move, you decrease risks of blood clots and also help your body adjust after the anesthesia used for your surgery. Often, movement like walking helps your bowels get moving, too. Light exercise also helps you slowly avoid gaining weight after your procedure.
Fiber-rich diet following recovery
Fiber-rich foods like beans, whole grain bread, fruit, veggies and nuts are the best diet after surgery. These foods will not only prevent constipation but give your body essential nutrients needed to heal faster from your surgery.
Add these to your diet after your procedure:
- Bread, pasta, and flour
- Nuts
- Fruits and juices
- Legumes
- Vegetables
Talk with your doctor about taking fiber supplements or laxatives for constipation relief after your hysterectomy. These are useful tools for helping constipation, but some motivate the inner lining of the bowel too much and you experience diarrhea and bowel contractions.
We Also Care for Your Colorectal Issues
Nevada Surgery and Cancer Care not only uses the latest in laparoscopic surgical techniques for their hysterectomies, we also use the latest techniques for colon and rectal surgery. If you experience colorectal issues long after your hysterectomy, visit us today so we can solve your issue in the best manner.