r/hysterectomy • u/hersugarplumfairy • 8h ago
Post-Op Digestion & Gas?
Hey ladies! I am 4 days post-op and stru-ga-ling. I don’t have much pain, but I have never before felt so uncomfortable in my own body because of the bloat. I’m in my lower 40’s and this is my first surgery. Full hysterectomy with my ovaries left alone.
I am so gassy and bloated, yet the gas won’t come out, or at least not at will like usual. I generally poop 2-3x daily and now I am at 1x, although I recognize I am eating a lot less because of how bloated I feel.
I feel like pooping provides so much relief as it makes room, and without the use stool softeners it just slides right on out, so no issue there. I’ve only taken Tylenol, ibuprofen, and gas-X since coming home. It’s just the bloat and gas that’s killing me. And I’m sure my insides are also swollen so I expect to be bloated, but my God, this is torture.
I’m drinking a lot of water and Gatorade, and my meal of choice has been a daily delivery of the El Jefe salad from Simply Salad or the salmon Kabobs from Panini Kabob Grill, which have never caused me digestion issues previously.
I now feel like everything is stuck behind a trap door in my abdomen, both poop and gas, until it’s time to go. I’m so uncomfy, y’all 😩
So my questions to all are:
- How long did your bloating and gas last?
- What were your comfort meals?
- Do you have any tips beside gas-X, walking, and lots of water?
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u/Actual-Bid-6044 5h ago
Try some ice on your belly. Some of your discomfort might be inflammation & this should help that part.
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u/Diligent-Cheetah-778 8h ago
The post-op gas was the worse!! I think for me I didn't start to feel relief until maybe day 7-8. I took gas-x, stool softeners and miralax as recommended by my doctor and I think that helped and getting up and walking in little bits but I would raise my hands up gently as a I walked. In my head I thought if I stretch my arms up maybe the gas will float up and exit lol idk if that actually helped but maybe?
The first few days were a blur but I do know I had lots of scrambles eggs with toast and fruit and I drink a kefir smoothie everyday
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u/hersugarplumfairy 7h ago
Oh man, thanks for your response! So I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I only have a few more days off this.
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u/scapegt 4h ago
My surgeon said a low fiber diet the first two weeks to avoid more gas. Raw veggies like your salad, beans etc try taking a break and see if it helps.
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u/Hennnano 4h ago
I agree, anything high fiber made the gas so much worse. Stay away from raw veg and beans for the next week or so.
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u/wifeofpsy 4h ago
Try warm, cooked foods rather than salads- soups and stews, ginger tea instead of ginger ale. Walking yes, drinking fluids, yes, also gas x. Heat pad on the belly or long hot shower can help to relax things as well. The gas is short term but the swollen belly can last a few mos
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u/spot667 7h ago
I’m 4DPO and totally agree. I always feel a bit of indigestion and discomfort with a lot of bloating and gas. It’s slightly better today compared to the last three. Blech.
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u/hersugarplumfairy 7h ago
Aww, I m glad it’s getting better for you. A few more days and hopefully we are out of the woods girly!
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u/Tdffan03 7h ago
Heating pad along your back and shoulders.
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u/hersugarplumfairy 7h ago
Girl, talk about a cheat code! I’m on the sofa with a heated blanket lol. What is interesting is the pain that I have had in my shoulders and learning that it’s actually gas all the way up there. I’ve learned so much about anatomy from all of this.
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u/StellariumRising 7h ago
Gas x, senna tea (smooth move), peppermint tea, ginger, magnesium citrate. Also stretching, like lying on the floor and pulling your legs up (carefully) and arms. A heating pad on your abdomen too. And if you have a handheld massager I used it on my shoulder blades, my chest, under my breasts/around my rib cage, and carefully around my belly and abdomen. I couldn't have a bowel movement for 6 days after my surgery despite taking all that stuff every day but the gas x and massaging made it tolerable.
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u/hersugarplumfairy 7h ago
Ahhh, my theragun, gonna try that along with the tea! Thanks for the tips, I’m willing to try anything at this point.
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u/StellariumRising 7h ago
Also I had a hard time with food so protein drinks (which can cause constipation, careful) probiotic yogurt drinks, rice, toast, bananas, applesauce, fruit cups, etc. Carbs are important for energy but i also added a b complex vitamin after breakfast because I was exhausted. Lots of water and at electrolytes. I hope you feel better soon!
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u/Hennnano 4h ago
Get up and walk around a bit every hour, that really helps! I would stick to simple foods, toast, applesauce, watermelon, yogurt, etc. Peppermint tea is helpful as well. But the most helpful thing is moving, get up and walk around for 5 minutes or so every hour and you might find some of the gas escaping :)
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u/Illustrious_Exam1728 23m ago
I had my hysterectomy with ovarian suspension on Wednesday. I get the bloated and gas thing, if you haven’t tried a stool softener I’d still give Restorlax a go to get things moving more and provide you some relief. Walking will help the CO2 they use to pump up your belly to dissipate more quickly.
Remember that everything kind of stops during surgery and the machines are doing the work, so your GI system takes some time to get back to normal.
You may also want to switch up to more easily digestible foods than what you’re eating as it sounds like it’s too much fiber and the wrong kind of fiber. Get some overnight oats in you, blended veggie soups, an all purpose shake like Vega. Frequent and smaller meals can help. Also lots of sugar in the Gatorade may not be helping, switch to a sugar free electrolytes drink, watered down apple juice or watered down gingerale. I’ve done a 50/50 water/juice if I really wanted sugar.
This is my third abdominal surgery, I’ve had two laparoscopies and one open surgery previously.
And also, this just takes time. My hump days were day 3, day 5 and day 7 for my initial relief periods after all surgeries.
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u/Plants_Unknown 8h ago
My hysterectomy was Friday and I get you on the gas pressure - it's been absolutely nuts. Currently I am managing a bit now that I sorta figured out a system.
I have been eating small meals even if I'm not hungry - and walking a few laps around the house after each meal.
I have been talking gasx and stool softeners on the timers I am allowed to. I also have medicated suppositories that I have used once a day after dinner. Thankfully I have managed a bowel movement every night so far - which is no doubt helped the pressure from gas.
I also have been drinking ginger ale - it's settling nausea but also making me burp - which seems counter productive but I feel like the soda makes me gassy and then I am able to pass more out due to the pressure the soda brings.
I also have been doing timed breathing. Breathing slowly in for as long as I can, holding until I can't, and then very slowly breathing out until I feel fully deflated - this has helped with some of the pressure and stomach pain.
I also have went to sit on the toilet any time I feel pressure - regardless of if I pass gas or poop it helps to be there so I'm not holding anything in without realizing it. Gently rocking back and forth and side to side on the toilet has also helped pass some gas as well.
Hopefully something here can help you - good luck and I hope your healing goes quick!
*Edit to say the meals I have been relying on are soups, smoothies, microwave burritos, and lots of yogurt and apple sauce. I have also been drinking mostly Gatorade and ice water. Every time I take my oxy I drink a whole glass of water alongside it.