Colon Re-Section: No gas, bowel movement
Hi all,
My mom had colon resection surgery last Thursday morning due to ruptured diverticulitis. Recovery seems to be very slow, and I'm trying to determine if it's anything to be concerned about.
At what point should she have resumed gas and bowel movements?
Catheter was removed Sunday morning, then tube down her throat removed Sunday night. She "ate" liquids for about a day after both tubes were removed, then began eating solids about 24 hours ago. So far she has had no gas, rumblings or bowel movements.
The doctors and nurses seem to give conflicting information about what should happen when. First they said they would not remove the tubes until she had passed gas, but then they did remove the tubes. Then they said they wouldn't give her solid food til she had passed gas, then they did give her solid food. They said they wouldn't send her home without a bowel movement, but told her yesterday she could go home in 24-48 hours even though she's had no gas or bowel movement. This is very disconcerting.
Is it normal to go this long with no tubes, eating liquids and solids, but no reaction from the colon?
As a sort of side note, she is EXTREMELY tired still, and still has moments of confusion (she is 66 but had no signs of mental/memory issues prior to this) more than six full days after the procedure.
Any help is appreciated.
~Erin
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