Long Term Constipation as a result of Anal Skin Tag Removal

[punkinpie]

Hi everyone!

I am new here, I am thankful this group exists.

I had 3 internal hemerroids that were banded and 1 external skin tag that was excised.

It's been a week since the excision (a lot more painful than I was told, only on day 6 did I have some improvement), and I've been so constipated since a week ago when I had the surgery, I've never seen my stomach that bloated. It's hard to eat, there is no room there, I am nauseated.

I went from a tiny 24 inch waist to 30 something inch. I am petite, just over 100 pounds and I am walking around looking like I am pregnant. I am so miserable with the way I feel and look. I was told to take fiber, I did, then mirilax, I did, then milk of magnesia, I did. I was also drinking tons of water. I did this so the stool would come out soft and I wouldn't be in crazy pain post surgery with b.m.'s. But without all those I couldn't even go.

The surgeons office claims that there is no way the skin tag removal can lead to this. But I NEVER had this problem before. They say I am constipated and bloated due to pain meds, I am not taking pain meds! Then they say it's happening because of all the laxatives, they told me to take them each time I called to ask what to do. Frankly if my system worked like it did before, I'd be having diarrheah from them, and I don't! Then they say it's coincidental, but that's a huge coincidence! The problems began after after surgery. But I haven't heard anyone be constipated a week later, not this much either.

I am scared. Does anyone know what could be going on? I've had irritable bowels for years, but nothing so extreme. I'd really appreciate any help. :confused2:Thank you.

 

[Grumbletum]

You poor thing, you must be so uncomfortable. I've got no experience of the treatment you've had, but I'm wondering if there could be something psychological going on? I think if I'd had it, I would consciously or unconsciously be quite scare to pass a bowel movement because of the pain.
What kind of laxatives are you taking?

 

[punkinpie]

I don't think it can be psychological because psychologically I want it to go away and will do whatever I can. I'd be happy to have b.m. at this point, but I won't strain because then I end up with hems and tag again.

 

[Heavenfaced]

While many crohn's patients are prone to diarrhea, instead over recent years I would have occasional bouts of constipation. I too have tried different over the counter laxatives before to no effect. I always figured it was linked to what I ate the past few days. Like an excess of dairy or maybe too much fibrous foods (with not enough water), having the opposite effect and binding me up. Being a crohn's patient, like many I've made drastic dietary changes - sometimes to quickly for my body to adapt. There are two types of fiber - the kind that creates bulk, slowing digestive movement (soluble) and the kind that gets things moving, as a laxative (insoluble). Perhaps your body isn't handling any sort of post op special diet they gave you very well? I've read that if your body isn't used to large amounts of fiber from your typical diet then it may have difficulty managing the sudden substantial increase in fiber intake.

In most cases, I ultimately couldn't take the bloating pressure, like feeling and had to force my BM; not good! At the time I read that taking spoonfuls of olive oil may help get things going - sort of a home remedy type approach. Perhaps I wasn't patient enough to see results with this. They also say physical activity can help with constipation, but I imagine it's difficult with the pain post op.

Hopefully you're relieved of your constipation by now. Maybe this will provide some insight for the future though.

 

[punkinpie]

Hi there thanks for your response. I don't even know if it's constipation causing the bloating because I am finally going and it doesn't feel like I have anymore to go, but i am not sure. If it is that, it's not obvious. I am on my period now and normally I'd be going a lot, yet I am not. I feel like I am doing everything right as far as fiber, water and exercise. Before I didn't do all that and wasn't bloated. Of course the bloating has been since way before my PMS so can't blame it on that, but even with my PMS was never quite this bloated before. I am not on a special post op diet and I only had local anesthetic shot, I was awake the whole time. Before when I went #2 I'd feel and look lighter, now no. Hard to work out now too being bloated but I do it. I am taking the same amount and type of fiber as I use to before the surgery and it suited me fine then. I just wish I knew where to turn.