Constipation is a common aftereffect of surgery; painkillers will do it, too. Once it gets past a certain point, strong laxatives may indeed be necessary. I don't know how they do it in Japan, but in the US, the surgeon will sometimes "prescribe" what is actually an OTC laxative. It's more of a strong recommendation for a specific brand than a prescription, per se. Lots of water and fiber will help, though, once the initial issue is resolved. Maybe OP should see if they have Chipotle in Japan too, for staying "loose" afterward. ;)

Also, this may sound really weird, but Op might just not have to poop. My dad's girlfriend's daughter had major corrective surgery on her back, and they kept her in the hospital and pumped her full of laxatives and the like. When she still didn't go, they did some kind of scan and found out her bowels were empty.

I am the op, I just wasn't logged in when I posted this. I don't know why my location defaulted to Japan, though. I'm in California. You're right, the prescription is just OTC, and the surgeon wanted me to get a specific brand. I was trying to stay within the FML length limit. I didn't realize the painkillers I'm on were making this worse. I'll have to try to cut back on them. I wish I could just take Advil but that causes bleeding issues. Thanks very much for your response, it was helpful. And I'll definitely drink more water! Thanks again. :)

I am the op, I just wasn't logged in when I posted this. I don't know why my location defaulted to Japan, though. I'm in California. You're right, the prescription is just OTC, and the surgeon wanted me to get a specific brand. I was trying to stay within the FML length limit. I didn't realize the painkillers I'm on were making this worse. I'll have to try to cut back on them. I wish I could just take Advil but that causes bleeding issues. Thanks very much for your response, it was helpful. And I'll definitely drink more water! Thanks again. :)

I think you might still be able to take tylenol, but you should call your doctor and check first. In Illinois, they give us papers that say what types of medications we can and can't take when they discharge us from the hospital. Check that for normal OTC pain killers.

Yea, Tylenol is okay. I'm sure there is Acetaminophen (same thing as tylenol) in the script pain meds you are taking, it's in almost every post op pain med. The narcotic is what causing your problem (most likely hydrocodone or oxycodone, maybe demerol or darvocet)

Tylenol is allowed, it just doesn't work very well for me. I'll give that a try, though. My pain is bad right now, but not unbearable.

Tylenol is allowed, it just doesn't work very well for me. I'll give that a try, though. My pain is bad right now, but not unbearable.

You're right, there's Tylenol in it. The non-narcotic stuff should still help, then. I don't like feeling stoned from the hydrocodone anyway.

You're right, there's Tylenol in it. The non-narcotic stuff should still help, then. I don't like feeling stoned from the hydrocodone anyway.

Why are all my comments double-posting? I only hit send once!

No problem, OP. :] You may be able to take half a painkiller at a time; that would lessen the side effects and give you a little more pain relief than OTC NSAIDs or Tylenol. Just make sure you call your pharmacist first to confirm that it's safe for the type of pills you're taking. The Fiber One bars are pretty tasty, and they should help. Also, like I said below, be careful if the urine retention isn't typical after your type of surgery, since it can be a sign of too much opioid medication.

you sir have successfully made my day xD

Very true on opiods->urine retention. Had to learn that the hard way after getting IED'd.

I'll cut back on them as much as I can stand. I wasn't taking the full dose, but I probably wasn't getting enough fluids, either, so things were probably building up in my system. I hate narcotic painkillers anyway. They make me dizzy and stupid.

actually with opiates or ileus secondary to bowel surgery stool softners like colace are very rarely effective. the problem in these situations is the bowel lacks motility, no matter how soft the stool is. that is why pro-motility agents are much more effective. in the us if the pt fails OTC/weak pro-motility agents we will hit them with agents that usually cause diarrhea (golytely).

I think you've identified the real problem. Everything feels sort of nonresponsive since my surgery. Is there a way to "wake it up" without having to go back to the doctor or hospital?

I think you've identified the real problem. Everything feels sort of nonresponsive since my surgery. Is there a way to "wake it up" without having to go back to the doctor or hospital?

well if it's past a couple days you could try senna:sennakot;sennasides OTC.

119: I misspoke. I actually had Sennakot in mind when I said "stool softeners"; I must have just confused the two. It's been awhile since I had to take either. Thank God for acupuncture. :)

Thank you!!!

Thank you!!!