Constipation 5 weeks after incisional hernia repair

i had a 4 incisional hernias repaired 5 weeks ago and now am struggling to have a poo but dr keeps saying take stool softener but did not have this problem before my op & my belly hurts as anybody had this problem please help

You might have a problem from the surgery. Get another opinion from a surgeon totally unrelated to the initial surgeon and you might get an honest answer.