Rose bud is right...anesthesia and pain meds can cause problems....but it's also the surgery itself. Manual manipulation of the bowel is common in a lot of surgeries....but especially hernia!
It's not uncommon for a surgeon to "run the bowel" when the abdomen is open....to make sure they didn't make any slips, and to check for tumors, abnormalities, etc.
With a hernia operation the surgeon has to manipulate the bowel a little....make sure it's not damaged, back where it belongs, etc.
It seems, tho....that this manipulation causes the bowel to become shocked to a degree.....and that segment, or the entire bowel, will often shut down for a period of time.
Today, with simpler, less invasive procedures....like laparoscopic surgery....the shut down doesn't usually last long...sometimes only minutes or hours....especially if you get up and moving as soon as possible after!
Make sure your hubby moves around a lot....even walking up and down the hall. The more he moves, the faster the recovery will be!
Unless his MD told him otherwise, pysillium husks or a mild laxative (like MOM) is fine....he should be back to normal soon!
Cindy
(fyi....RN for over 25 years)