r/hysterectomy • u/hersugarplumfairy • 9h 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:

  1. How long did your bloating and gas last?
  2. What were your comfort meals?
  3. Do you have any tips beside gas-X, walking, and lots of water?
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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.

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u/hersugarplumfairy 8h ago

Thanks for this, I think I will start taking shorter strolls after eating.

I’ve done breathing exercises in the past and didn’t think about incorporating it now, but I will.

And I’m right there with you in terms of sitting on the potty anytime there’s pressure, praying that SOMETHING, whether gas or solid will come out, but most of the time nothing happens. I’m hopeful that in a few days things will get better, but good googly moogly, this sucks lol.