Elderly people who do not have bowel movements after surgery may be due to prolonged bed rest and lack of exercise after the surgery; it may also be due to the fact that the elderly people have undergone gastrointestinal surgery and are still on a liquid diet after the surgery; and constipation due to the development of intestinal adhesions after the surgery. The causes are different and the treatments are different. After surgery, such as orthopedic surgery, the elderly need to stay in bed for a long period of time, which may lead to a lack of exercise, which in turn leads to the patient’s symptoms of not having bowel movements after surgery. In this case, family members can help the elderly massage the abdomen to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, but also in the elderly diet to increase the intake of vegetables, fruits and other foods rich in dietary fiber. If the elderly are undergoing abdominal or even gastrointestinal surgery, they need to fast for 1~2 days after the surgery, and then gradually eat fluids, semi-liquids, due to the small amount of food intake, it is completely normal to not have a bowel movement in this case. In addition, after abdominal surgery, there may be intestinal adhesions, resulting in constipation, which can be treated with medications such as lactulose, polyethylene glycol electrolyte bulk, etc., and can be treated surgically if necessary. If an elderly person has symptoms of bowel obstruction after surgery, it is recommended that he or she consult a doctor for prompt treatment.