After bowel surgery

My dad had surgery to remove cancer from his bowel on Thursday.  He hasn't had to have his bowel removed but is not doing so good.  He has said that his intestines aren't working properly and they have now put a tube down his throat and nose and that sometimes this happens for a couple of days. Is this normal or is there more too this. We aren't a loud to the hospital so I can't see him and I know he try's to protect us but need the full picture