Bowel management

Surgery and radiation can alter the function of the bowel and produce an increase in the number of daily bowel movements. In addition, increased urgency to defecate can occur. To reduce these symptoms, physicians recommend:

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• increasing your fiber intake by adding psyllium (an ingredient in many over-the-counter fiber supplements) to your diet; and
• eating smaller meals and avoiding the consumption of liquids, especially hot ones, with meals (liquids and large meals prompt bowel movements)

Eventually you may also be able to regulate the timing of your bowel movements by using stimuli such as large meals, hot liquids, prune juice, or suppositories to prompt a bowel movement when it is most convenient. Use of anti-motility agents such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) can sometimes help.