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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Lack Of Bowel Movements After A Surgery?

My husband had rotary cuff surgery and he has been taking pain meds. He is unable to have a bowl movement, He has taken stool softener, the liquid magnesium and has drank an 8 oz glass of water behind that. Still no relief, so I gave him a Fleets enema, after that, he used 2 Fleets suppositories. He has not gotten relief yet. This is Sunday and he had his surgery Thursday. What else can we do?
Thu, 15 Oct 2015
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Thank you for contacting HCM. urine and bowel issues are common after the surgery from anesthesia. They go into a resting phase and takes time to recover. Pain medications also not helpful in this scenario, make the bowels lazy.

He is he having any vomiting or nausea ? is he having any pain in the belly ? chief he have any of these issues go to the ED as we may be dealing with small bowel obstruction.

If he does not have any of the elbow except that he hasn't had a bowel movement, then we should work on getting bowels. Continue with the regular laxatives. He should eat more fiber containing foods. He should avoid taking more pain medications. Take pain medications if the pain is unbearable. He should keep walking so that the gravity can help. He should continue taking plenty of fluids.

Hope it will resolve soon.
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What Causes Lack Of Bowel Movements After A Surgery?

Thank you for contacting HCM. urine and bowel issues are common after the surgery from anesthesia. They go into a resting phase and takes time to recover. Pain medications also not helpful in this scenario, make the bowels lazy. He is he having any vomiting or nausea ? is he having any pain in the belly ? chief he have any of these issues go to the ED as we may be dealing with small bowel obstruction. If he does not have any of the elbow except that he hasn t had a bowel movement, then we should work on getting bowels. Continue with the regular laxatives. He should eat more fiber containing foods. He should avoid taking more pain medications. Take pain medications if the pain is unbearable. He should keep walking so that the gravity can help. He should continue taking plenty of fluids. Hope it will resolve soon.