I had surgery 1 week ago and yes, it has been rough. We all know this going into it though. Sooo, the most important thing is to get yourself through it with your mind still in tact. Diet before is very important. To start with a high fiber diet at least a month before is very helpful to your bowels, but there is more. Please read to the end. There is a very important cream you should try.

My doctor recommended Milk of Magnesia four times a day. I am taking it two times a day, at lunch and dinner. This has helped me keep things liquidy. That way when you do have to have a BM, you won't be scared stupid. I won't kid you, it still hurts, but not NEARLY as much as a harder stool.

Make sure if you have someone taking care of you, that it is someone who cares about you. Do not guilt someone into it. You are better off taking care of yourself. If you don't, set up ahead of time (before surgery) what you will need at your side to make you comfortable. Movies, treats, hobbies, medication, etc.

Sit in a bath with epson salts after really painful BM. The epson salts not only draws out any infection that may be creeping up, but it also relaxes your muscles. Rest when you can. I have ALL my BMs in the morning and I am absolutely exhausted by noon. After lunch, I try to have a sleep to help me through the rest of the day. Your muscles will relax more, and you will feel better. When you feel good, do something that makes you feel good. Do things that will keep your mind off of the emense pain that you are in. And get up for short walks around the house. Or lay on the floor and stretch out. I am in a fetal position for most of the morning.

Take care of yourself during your quiet times. Do your hair in something that will stay out of your way. You will feel better if you look better. If you have someone taking care of you, have them treat you to a back rub.

Keep your eating in small amounts, more times a day. STAY AWAY FROM NUTS!!! It doesn't matter how much you chew them, they do not come out soft. VERY HELPFUL HINT!!! Put a small amount of frozen veggies in a snack bag (not to be left beside the other veggies in the freezer) and place them against the area most in pain. I know this sounds nuts, but it really helped take the swelling down as well as numbed the pain some.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I CAN TELL YOU IS ABOUT A CREAM BY "Avene" CICALFATE. You can read up about it on their website. I use to sell it as a cosmotician. It is an anti-bacterial agent that helps with the pain. It calms the nerves that are agitated. It also has an incredible ability to help heal. I forgot to use it after a BM and I was in sooooo much pain for about an hour and couldn't figure out why. Then I remembered that I forgot to use it. I put some on the area of surgery, and within 10 minutes, the pain was almost gone. Use a little after each BM. You can buy it in larger drug stores. I know you can get it in Shoppers Drug Mart. It is pricier than other creams, but it really works. You can use it on any burns, infections, cuts, hemmeroid tissue that might come back. Even on a yeast infection. It is amazing! Try it, you'll like it;}

Anyways, I wish ALL of you who have gone through this a good recovery and just keep in mind that it will come to an end and I have not spoken to one person who regretted going through it.