Bowel cleanse before surgery

I know they did not tell us to do a bowel cleanse before surgery, but did anyone do it?  If so what did you use that works well without tasting awful.  Any suggestions would be great.  I have surgery on Monday and have been so backed up on Opti I feel it might make things feels a little better in that department.

 

You could try senna tea, but I don't know if it's allowed on the optifast diet so that might be bad advice. Usually if you're on a low fibre (or in this case no fibre!) diet the best way to relieve a backed up gut is water, water, water and then some more water! And if thats not enough maybe some psyllium supplements. I don't know about doing a colon cleanse though, I'm sure some post-ops can weigh in there

Hi Fab,

Trust me, after a few weeks on Opti, there's absolutely nothing left to cleanse out - you are empty, which is why they don't make you do any cleansing prior to surgery, unlike, say, getting a colonoscopy when you've been eating normally until the day before the scope. 

I really haven't heard of anyone attempting a colon cleanse prior to surgery - it might make you dehydrated and weak?  I would be worried a little about that.

Jenn.  :)

If you are feeling constipated, try adding lots of water + Benefibre. I added a little Benefibre to each Opti. You could also try a gentle laxative. Don't worry about a "bowel cleanse." Trust me, there's nothing to really clean out (unless you really are constipated). I did my last 2 days with clear fluids only, there was nothing at all in there.

Wow i did not have this problem on Opti. Just the reverse. I would take something to clean you out before surgery. i was pretty constipated after surgery. I have read a lot of people have this problem.