With the pee, you have a catheter in, and after they take it out, they want you to do a huge pee within an hour i think. And the nurses will hassle you till it is done. I got a sheet from the hospital on it, and they need to make sure your bladder is functioning after the catheter.

With the other, I found I was really constipated from the pain meds, and the pregnancy and the iron tablets i was taking, that I didnt go for days, and needed the assistance... and again, the nurses hassled me till I did one. It is a sign that they need to tick of after having the surgery to see that everything is working ok in that region...

Ellie - not sure re your question, but I would think maybe a bit similar to the appendix?