Preventing Intestinal Blockages After Surgery

After having had intestinal or bowel surgery, many patients find that it is more difficult to go to the bathroom. Chronic constipation may lead to intestinal blockages which can cause even more severe problems and may result in further surgery.

The most important method of prevention is diet. You will no doubt be put on a liquid or very bland diet by your doctor, but it is easy to stray from this and end up constipated. The diet is important. You don't have to quit eating your favorite foods completely, but you do need to offset any harmful effects.

Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is the best way to stay regular. Try to have a minimum of two fruits a day, plus at least five servings of vegetables. The best vegetables include leafy greens like lettuce, cabbage and broccoli, as well as legumes like beans and nuts which contain plenty of fiber. These aren't necessarily a good idea immediately after surgery since gas can cause pain and possibly rupture your staples.

If you do notice that you are getting constipated, it is a good idea to take action quickly, before you end up blocked completely. It is preferable to avoid laxatives since they can become addictive and it is possible that your body will later be unable to function without them.

Exercise can help. Going for a daily walk is a good start, but if you are already constipated, you might need to be a bit more drastic. Get down on your hands and knees and rock forwards and backwards. This often loosens the blockage.

Avoid foods that will further constipate you. Dairy is particularly bad, cheese and milk are both likely to make your bowel movements harder. Rice is also a culprit. Instead, opt for things like oranges, salads and bran cereals that will keep things moving.

Drinking coffee sometimes helps. The caffeine stimulates the bowels and can be a very useful natural laxative. The same goes for apple juice, it helps get things moving again in a very gentle manner.

Even if you are taking in the above liquids, you should make sure that you have plenty of water throughout the day. Drink at least 8 glasses, or about four regular water bottles. If you don't like plain water, check out some of the newer flavored waters. Try to find one that you like which has no sweeteners, natural or artificial in it. These hydrate just as well as regular water and are very tasty.

Preventing blockages after intestinal surgery is mostly a matter of watching what you eat, but sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent it. If you haven't gone to the bathroom in 3 or more days and are vomiting, especially green or yellow vomit, you need to see a doctor immediately. However, with careful maintenance, hopefully you won't ever need to resort to medical attention.