After the first postoperative ambulation, stable patients whose bowel movements resumed met their initial defecation needs with the squatting position created using a footstool at the appropriate height on the water closet type toilet.

The patients used footstools in the hospital and throughout a week after discharge at home for defecation.

The control group received the routine care provided to all the patients in the clinic with no additional interventions.

Before the study, the height of the toilet bowls in the patient rooms was measured as 42 cm. The stools to be used for the study are manufactured by ordering laminated with white medium density fiberboard and synthetic resin resistant to harsh chemicals. Stools are made of high quality non-slip materials for patient safety.

After the first postoperative ambulation, stable patients whose bowel movements resumed met their initial defecation needs with the squatting position created using a stool at the appropriate height on the water closet type toilet.

The patients used footstools throughout a week after discharge at home and in the hospital for defecation.

Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) aims to determine individuals' defecation frequency, intensity, and difficulty. The CSS consists of 16 items and three sub dimensions, namely Excrement Congestion, Large Bowel Laziness, and Pain. The lowest score that can be attained from the CSS is 0 while the highest score that can be attained is 73.

Average score on a scale from 0 to 4. 0 I did not experience any difficulties, 1 I had mild difficulties, 2 I had some difficulties, 3 I had a lot of difficulties, 4 I experienced extreme difficulties.