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Constipation is very common after surgery - anesthesia, pain medications, and less movement all slow the bowels down. With the right preparation and a simple routine at home, most patients manage this well. This guide explains what to do before and after surgery to keep your bowels moving and prevent discomfort.
Before Surgery – At Home
Starting 3 days before your surgery:
Take MiraLAX once a day.
- Mix 1 capful (17grams) of MiraLAX into 4–8 ounces of water, juice, or any beverage.
- Take once a day for 3 days before your surgery date
- Example: If your surgery is July 15, take MiraLAX on July 12, 13, and 14.
This helps soften stool ahead of time and makes it less likely you'll need extra help after surgery.
If you have a recent history of constipation, consider also taking 1 tablet (8.6mg) of Senna once a day for 3 days before your surgery date.
If you develop watery stools, stop taking MiraLAX and/or Senna.
After Surgery — In the Hospital
While you're in the hospital, you'll take three medications by mouth to keep your bowels moving and your stools soft:
- Senna
- MiraLAX
- Magnesium hydroxide
Some patients have a bowel movement before going home, and some don't — both are completely normal. Either way, you'll continue taking bowel medications at home.
After Surgery — At Home
Keep taking your bowel medications every day for as long as you are taking narcotic pain medication such as oxycodone or hydromorphone. Continue them even if you had a bowel movement in the hospital—this simply means the medications were working at that time. Narcotic pain medications can continue to slow your bowels each day, so ongoing use of bowel medications while using these drugs helps prevent constipation.
If you don’t have a bowel movement after the time frames below, follow these steps:
| No bowel movement for 1 day (24 hours) | Take Senna and MiraLAX twice a day instead of once. Most patients find this is all they need. |
| No bowel movement for 2 days (48 hours) | Use a suppository* |
| No bowel movement for 3 days (72 hours) | Use an enema* |
*See definition below
If you develop watery stools, stop taking Senna and MiraLAX. Restart Senna and MiraLAX once a day if you start to have symptoms of constipation (feeling full, feeling like you need to poop but are unable to).
When to Call Us
Call our 24-hour Nurse Help Line at 651-229-3890 if you experience:
- Significant abdominal bloating
- Belly pain or discomfort
- Vomiting when trying to eat
About Your Medications
MiraLAX (also sold as polyethylene glycol, GlycoLax, SmoothLAX or ClearLAX) is a laxative that draws water into the bowel to soften stool and promote bowel movements.
Senna is a plant-based laxative that stimulates the bowel to move. It is often used alongside MiraLAX for added effect.
Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) draws water into the bowel, softening stool and encouraging movement.
Suppository (bisacodyl) is a medication inserted into the rectum to help you have a bowel movement.
Enema is a liquid medication inserted into the rectum to clean out the large intestine.
All of these medications can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) and do not need a prescription.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team.
If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact the Nurse Help Line at 651-229-3890.
