"I Live Alone and Called 119"... Baek Il-seob Confesses to a Terrifying 'Three Days'

[Financial News] Veteran actor Baek Il-seob recently revealed on a television program that he suffered severe urinary and bowel dysfunction after undergoing multiple spine and joint surgeries under general anesthesia and was rushed to the emergency room.
According to a preview video released on the 3rd for Maeil Broadcasting Network (MBN)’s ‘Dongchimi,’ Baek Il-seob said, "I underwent a total of four surgeries on my back and knees, and each time I was put under general anesthesia." He added, "The aftereffects of the surgeries accumulated, and I could not urinate or defecate for three straight days. I simply could not get to the hospital on my own, so I called 119 and went to the hospital." It was an acute emergency that occurred while he was living alone.

The inability to urinate after spinal or joint surgery in old age is medically known as acute urinary retention. It occurs when the bladder is full but urine cannot be expelled because the urethra is blocked or the bladder’s ability to contract has weakened. In older men especially, previously undiagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia can interact with general anesthetics, opioid painkillers administered after surgery, and anticholinergic drugs, impairing the nerves controlling the bladder muscles and making acute urinary retention more likely.
The risk of reduced kidney function also rises sharply. Temporary drops in blood pressure during general anesthesia, fluid depletion before and after surgery, and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain control can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and damage kidney function. Above all, if urine flow is blocked for several days, accumulated urine can flow back through the ureters toward the kidneys, causing hydronephrosis and potentially progressing to the life-threatening condition of acute kidney failure.
Bowel obstruction and severe constipation can further fuel this vicious cycle. When reduced activity after surgery combines with the side effects of anesthetics and painkillers, intestinal movement may stop, causing ileus or severe constipation. Hard stool masses that remain in the intestines can then place strong physical pressure on the adjacent bladder and urethra, further worsening urinary problems.

Experts warn that being unable to urinate or defecate for several days should never be dismissed as simple indigestion. It is an emergency requiring immediate treatment because excessive bladder distension can cause not only bladder rupture but also urinary tract infections, uremia, and eventually sepsis, a systemic infection.
Therefore, if no urine is produced at all and lower abdominal pain becomes severe, patients should go to the emergency room without delay and have a urinary catheter inserted to relieve pressure on the bladder.
Older men preparing for surgery should inform their medical providers in advance about any underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia. They must also carefully check whether prescribed postoperative pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or cold medicines could interfere with urinary function.
Because older people living alone may be unable to move independently when their physical function suddenly deteriorates, it is advisable to establish in advance a family contact network for regular health checks or arrange access to the local government’s Emergency Safety and Relief Service.
[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter