Potential Bowel Problems and Solutions Following Surgery

(Note: This information is not meant to replace your physicians advice. These tips represent our personal experiences and what has worked for us. If you have bowel problems after surgery, please contact your doctor right away.)

Most endometriosis surgeries require a bowel prep in order to cleanse the bowel so that bowel surgery (if needed) can be performed safely.

WHAT TO EXPECT: A bowel prep and bowel surgery often wreak havoc on our digestive systems. You should expect that it will take a few days before your system starts to get back to normal. Rumbling noises from your stomach are to be expected. It doesn't hurt, but can be a bit antisocial. You may also experience some flatulence and gas pains as the surgical gas moves through your system.

DIET: Weve found that eating plenty of fibre along with yoghurt (with live acidophilus) and green vegetables helps get your system working again. Weve also discovered that eating bread and cheese can make the situation worse since these foods tend to "stick" to the intestines and may cause constipation.

SUPPLEMENTS: Helpful supplements include Vitamin C (to support the immune system), zinc (to aid healing), and acidophilus tablets (to counteract the effects of anaesthesia and any antibiotics that may have been prescribed). Due to potential interactions with existing medications, you should always check with your doctor before taking any herbs or other nutritional supplements.

NAUSEA AND BOWEL SPASMS: Some women have a problem with nausea and diarrhoea following surgery, especially if any part of the bowel was involved in surgery. If this happens to you, contact your physician for appropriate medications. You may also want to avoid fruit juices and soft drinks after surgery since they contain high concentrations of sugar and have a tendency to increase bowel spasms. Dairy products and red meat also have a tendency to increase bowel spasms in susceptible individuals. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil, flax oil, borage oil, or evening primrose oil) encourage the production of good prostaglandins, which tend to act as a muscle relaxant and aid in healing. Always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.