Constipation after anesthesia is common because anesthesia, less activity, and pain medicines, especially opioids, can slow the bowels. After abdominal surgery, some slowing of bowel movement is nearly universal, and the bowel may take up to about 72 hours to get back to normal.

Common signs of this slow bowel movement include belly swelling, bloating, nausea, vomiting, trouble passing gas, and not wanting to eat. Supportive care usually helps, such as fluids, electrolyte replacement, early walking, and limiting opioid pain medicine when possible. Chewing gum and getting up and moving early are also used in some recovery plans.

If the belly pain is getting worse, or if the problem lasts several days, the team may need to check for other causes that can look similar, like a bowel blockage or another inside-the-belly problem.