Hi, I just had a laparoscopy surgery for the removal of endometriosis(5/29). I still feel the gas pains in my shoulders. Also, is it true that Vikoden plugs up my bowel system? Within a week of the surgery I only had a b movement once. So my questions are...
How long do these shoulder pains last?
How to get rid of the shoulder pains faster?
How to have healthy frequent b movements? (magnesium citrate was nasty won't do that one again.)
Lastly, will the symptoms be totally gone even with the microbits left or will there still be ovary/colon pains again?
Thank you so much for your answers!
2007-06-04 20:32:42 · 5 answers · asked by katphotogirl 3 in Health ➔ Women's Health
The reason that you have the gas pains is because the dr didn't push out all the carbon dioxide.
Walking a little bit every day as well as applying heat to your shoulder can help ease some of that pain.
As for the bowel movements it can take a bit of time for the bowel to wake up. You just had surgery a few days ago so yes it can take that long for the bowel to wake up. You can try using something like Colace which will help soften the stools up so that there will not be any discomfort when you go. Also drinking a lot of water will help.
Magnesium Citrate is used by some drs as the bowel prep for laparoscopy because of the fact that it's not as harsh on the system as the Go-Lytely (used both of them and I prefer the Mag Citrate).
Please continue to eat lightly the next few weeks while your body tries to heal from this surgery because your stomach muscles are going to be quite sensitive for a time. When getting up out of bed or off the couch use your arm muscles to help you move because the abdominal muscles will be week for a spell.
Even though laparoscopy is classified as minimally invasive because of the incision size it is still major surgery so please make sure to rest lots when your body says. And when you do feel ready to try some things please don't think that just because you feel well enough to do them that it means you can go and do a whole lot because I promise you that it will set your recovery back about a week or two.
Even at 8-12 weeks post-op continue to be on the careful side because your insides will still be quite tender even after all the other part of the surgical post-op pain clears up.
The average time for recovery from laparoscopy is 1-2 weeks but it will depend on how much work was done on the part of your dr during this surgery as to how long it takes you to recover.
You should start to notice some improvement in the shoulder pain in a few days.
Your bowels will get back to normal within a few days as well but they need time to wake up from the anesthesia and whatever work was done around there. But the Colace and drinking lots of water (which will also help your bladder) will help this time go a bit faster as well.
I must warn you that your first few periods after the laparoscopy will be the most intense but then clears up after that.
2007-06-04 22:39:10 · answer #1 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The med's they give you to make you sleep stops your bowel it does take them a while to get going again
To help your bowel move eat lots of fibre
stewed prunes
apples
I found eating half of a fresh green pepper a day did the trick
to help with the gas pain
take a hot bath lay down in the water and roll on your side change from side to side. The heat will help you pass the gas.
To help you heal walk lots while you do not want to over do it walking does help.
I have found that if the pain is very bad holding a pillow over my tummy helps.
just go slow and take breaks but get moving.
this helps with the pain be strengthen the stomach muscles and it will help to get your bowel moving as well
one of the risks of having surgery is getting blood clots in your legs. You can greatly reduce this risk by walking.
Having lung trouble after surgery is another common problem walking helps you to breath deep and exercise your lungs. And breathing deeper and using your lungs will help prevent lung infections
When I worked in the hospital I found that the patients who got up and walked were the ones who recovered the fastest.
While you do need a certain amount of rest
eating well and moving is the best way.
2007-06-05 04:02:52 · answer #2 · answered by kay.ce 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually the shoulder pain goes away within a couple of days. You may want to call your doctor's office, but try walking - just don't overdo.
As for the bowel problems, yes, narcotics will cause constipation. Try Miralax (available over the counter) and Dulcolax, as well as increasing fiber and water intake.
When I had my surgery for endometriosis, I was completely pain free for years. I hope you will be too!
2007-06-05 05:58:59 · answer #3 · answered by GI tech 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. It depends on your body and what you do to get rid of it.
2.If you rotate your shoulders in a circular fashion this will help disipate the extra gas, and WALK!
3. Try some Dr. pepper if you do not drink it regularly, or prune juice. Make sure you drink lots of water! Vicoden is a narcotic it will plug up your bowels. Lots of water and walk! Good Luck!
2007-06-05 03:59:07 · answer #4 · answered by JNS 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
exercise should help shoulder pains, but don't overdo it
exercise will help bowel movements as well
pain should be gone now
2007-06-05 03:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by mel s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋