Kathryn
I recently had major surgery and had the same problem. It is a side effect of the general anesthesia and especially of the Percocet. My nurse said for me to immediately take an over-the-counter laxative for relief. I only had to do that one time and after that I was normal. I, too, had tried prunes, prune juice, suppositories, etc. but nothing worked except Exlax or something similar. My doctor didn't give me any answers. (Most doctors seem to not answer questions these days.)