Frequent bowel movements post-op

Hey folks,

tl;dr I'm pooping a lot - is this normal?

I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. I wanted to start by thanking everyone for their contributions. This forum contains so much information that just doesn't seem to be anywhere else, and has been so helpful to me over the last few months.

Quick background - I'm 48 now, and was diagnosed with Gleason 6 in a couple cores three years ago. A few months ago, I was biopsied and this time, it was in five cores and they were all 3+4, so we decided on open RP (side note: post-op, it was discovered to actually be Gleason 6 with no 7 at all, but what can you do).

Back to the point - I've searched high and low regarding post-op bowel movements, and all I'm reading is "drink lots of fluids", "go for lots of walks", "prune juice is your friend", etc - in other words, ways of pooping more.

I'm 5 days post-op. No movements on days 1, 2, and 3, the tiniest movement on day 4, and... five movements so far on day 5! (as of 9:00pm). There's been nothing wrong with them - no urgency, no diarrhea, just nice soft stools (thanks to the stool softener).

Has anyone else experienced this? Common sense tells me it's just my body catching up. In pre-surgery world, I'm an active guy who has 2 or 3 movements a day, and I've been eating a fairly regular diet since day 1 post-op, so maybe this is expected?

Thanks for any and all feedback. You guys are the best

Post Edited (Canadian_Scott) : 3/28/2021 9:45:55 PM (GMT-6)

The opioids used for surgery (plus any you took since for pain) can often be extremely constipating, to the point of sometimes completely shutting down peristalsis. Once you stop them, things will get back to normal, but it takes time. Stools softeners are the way to go. You can easy off of them a bit now that your bowel movements have started, but use them to avoid constipation. Keep hydrated, remember to take things easy, and follow all your discharge instructions. Walking is very good for you in this recoop period.

Djin

I used a psyllium fiber supplement for about six months after surgery.

Hydration and fiber are the answer. Do that, and you'll be a regular guy.

I think pretty much that can be said has been.. medications will cause constipation and any opioids post op will as well. If you are going FREQUENTLY as opposed to large movements, that’s the way it will be for a while. I took senokot and collace after RALP for about 10 days. Also, there is a LOT that they have done internally, moving things around and moving through tissue, and much of it is near the rectal wall so it’s out of sorts and will be for several weeks. I found I’d have a movement in the AM and then another about 1-2 hours later where historically I’d just do it all in one pop. This too shall pass.