Well come to HCM Thank for asking I really appreciate your concern, in post surgical even particularly in old age bowel movement is really troublesome but it may not long last and soon it will comes to normal, it is most advisable not to try any laxative or purgative if patient is not passing the stool, if it is being tried then chances of passing watery stool or diarrhea is very likely, if this is the case then just be patient and just take care for dehydration and diet do not try any medicine again hope this information helps.