Eating Before Surgery

[Pebbagirl 131]

My surgeon is not requiring me to do a pre-op diet before surgery because of my BMI. I just have to be NPO after midnight. I hadn't planned on having any sort of "last supper" because I just don't want to have that attitude. However, my birthday is the day before surgery so my family wants to take me out to dinner (as always, for birthdays.) Also, we will be in a hotel the night before surgery because I live far away from the hospital, so we will need to eat something. I'll have something light and healthy (like fish without heavy sauce), but here's my concern: I see so many people having trouble with Constipation that I'm wondering if I should do an overnight laxative to try to get rid of as much food as possible before surgery. (I've only ever taken a laxative once and it was agonizing...so crampy!) Thoughts, please.

[Sojourner 2,446]

I don't believe you will need to take a laxative pre op, and your surgeon should give you a script for either a stool softener or a laxative for post op.

Most of the problems, at least for me were due to a complete lack of Fiber post op. Things have gotten much better the further out from surgery I am.

Best wishes for a successful journey!

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I wouldn't take a laxative. You might add Fiber supplement to your liquid a day or 2 before. It's tasteless and incomes in individual packets like crystal light.

I don't understand why no preop. It as well all know doctors differ on that topic.