My chronic constipation got worse after liposuction. Kindly suggest a solution.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have chronic constipation that has gone on for most of my life but has recently gotten worse since I had a small liposuction surgery seven days ago. I did not take any of the painkillers given to me after the surgery. It has been nine days without a bowel movement despite using Miralax, saline enema, and Dulcolax laxative pills. I have pain in my abdomen, and nothing is working. I do not have any underlying conditions that I am aware of and no other symptoms besides bloating and abdominal pressure. Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Were you kept as nil per oral before and after liposuction? Do you feel that your abdomen is distended? Are you able to pass gas? Did you start your regular diet as previously? How much water intake on these days? And do you have any pain in the abdomen? And what about your physical activity these days?
Since it just worsened postoperatively, the above factors are likely responsible for not having proper bowel habits. You identify if any one of the above factors are present, kindly correct it at your end.
Little water, diet, and fiber intake before and after liposuction could have caused this. Secondly, drugs such as sedatives while undergoing operation can have side effects like this. Do not overload with lots of laxatives. I think Miralax (polyethelene glycol) is enough, but it requires you to take plenty of water with it, like two to three liters a day.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I did have nothing by mouth before the operation and only had toast the day after. I resumed my regular diet the next day, which involves fasting between 6 PM and 11 AM then eating eggs with spinach and sweet potatoes for lunch, and then for dinner, I eat vegetables such as spaghetti squash, beets, black beans, broccoli, etc. paired with fish or a vegetarian burger patty and fruit such as bananas or berries after.
I only drink water plus two cups of black coffee and one cup of green tea. I drink 64 oz water plus coffee and green tea. My physical activity since surgery has been very low because it hurt to walk much, but I work as a bartender, so I was on my feet all weekend and took a thirty-minute walk around the block on the days I was off work. My abdomen does feel bloated, and I can pass gas though not enough to relieve pressure.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Well, your intake seems to be fine. It has good fibers and adequate water intake. The recent change of bowel habits is likely due to surgery.
For bloating and gas and constipation, use the following regimen for one week and let me know how you respond.
Take Movcol sachet (Polyethylene glycol) 17 gm two sachets at night time with water, capsule Esomeprazole 40 mg once daily half an hour before breakfast, tablet Maxalon (Metoclopramide) 10 mg twice daily half an hour before meals. Continue with the current diet.
If you feel pain anywhere, you can take tablet Orphenadrine citrate (skeletal muscle relaxant) 35 mg + Paracetamol (antipyretic) 450 mg combination with the name of Salmeterol forte or Nuberol forte, thrice daily.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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