CM1234

Thank you all!! I think I’m going to start doing miralax every night to be more regular. Hoping that fixes the problem. Does the miralax make the BM softer too?

Till date I have no problem passing stool, in a matter of fact I drink a full mug of warm water every day morning one hour before breakfast, that helps me to visit the the toilet once a day, I eat more vegetables regularly, almost 90% of my meals, beside having exercise also helps my bowel to relax and function properly.

This is my experience [emoji3059]

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It is totally safe to take softeners with miralax. I would start with both and see how it goes. Also, Miralax doesn’t work for everyone. Be open to trying different stuff until you find the mix that works for you. Hope it all works out! ??

Senna is my best friend, LOL

yes - that's exactly what it is - the high protein diet + calcium + iron. All of those are known to back people up...

For the 1st 4-5 months I was having very loose stool and going to the bathroom like 6 times a day. Now I am almost 9 months out and am extremely constipated. My doc told me to take miralax every single day, and also 3 stool softeners at night before bed. I have been doing this for a week and although my poop is coming out, I still have to strain really hard. This has given me hemorrhoids, and I have to take at least 2 sitz baths a day. It is very painful. I tried to take Metamucil but it gave me massive cramps. I drink 1/2 gallon of water a day, eat a lot of veggies, fruit, etc. but it doesn't do anything. Doc says its because of all the protein and vitamins with iron. Hopefully it gets better. There are days where I can't even sit down because it hurts so bad.

I don’t take fiber supplements because I find they back me up. I do drink Smooth Move tea most nights, and take a senna tablet on the nights I don’t. Since WLS, I find not going for more than two days is radically uncomfortable for me. The times I miss my tea or tablet typically results in days of misery getting back on track. I go most mornings with my tea or tablet and I am a happy pooper! ??

chronic constipation is a pretty common problem with both RNYers and VSGers. Different treatments work for different people. I have a capful of Miralax in my protein shake every morning. That usually prevents it - although I occasionally still get backed up, maybe once a month. When that happens, a night or two of Milk of Magnesia does the trick.

Keep telling them, and ask your surgeon to give you a strong prescription for home. Tell he or she, that you are in severe pain. Don't be scared to tell them. Once you're home, you're home. It will get better pretty quickly. Hang in there.

I did get told I would be in some pain after my surgery, manageable pain. Not pain that would send me into a panic attack with whining and tossing every two hours. The kicker is I am very good with pain but this is the worse pain I’ve ever had in my entire life. I haven’t been able to walk or drink as much as they want because of the pain. I am hoping I will get to stay another night but i’m afraid to ask. Help please

Please let your nurse know so they can give you something for it dont suffer in silence. At home a heating pad and lots of pillows helped me. You can also prob get a script of tramadol from your doctor for the first few days if you asked.

Aren't they giving you IV pain meds while you're in the hospital? Tell your nurse!

I am 65 had surgery 2 mos ago and I ,too, thought I was dying with the pain It turns out I picked up some wicked stomach virus at the hospital which I bought home to my husband. Tell your surgeon not the interns that come by in rounds Tell her or him how bad the pain is. They can give you something as it is not normal to hurt so much I had 8 surgeries in my 65 years but that virus knocked the crap outta me. Everyone was pushing me to drink drink drink I couldn't hold a sip. PLEASE call your surgeon ASAP good luck and God Bless

Yes this is true. The regular floors are being overrun. By Covid patients so they are keeping people separate on the recovery floors instead. Plus if you’re in NY this is the last week for elective surgery. Next week it will be shut down again. So my suggestion is go for it. I did.

Just had my surgery on 12/15. They told me when I was already there. Plus I wasn’t allowed visitors. The nurses are super sweet and nice. It’s going to be okay. Trust me.
Literally just went through it. Plus you’ll get more attention and look after more. Consider it special care.

It's probably the safest option with COVID being what it is. I'm a nurse myself (currently sahm) and I can tell you, there were times in the ER where we had to admit patients because there was no room on the floor and the patients get the same care they would on the floor. The PACU won't be any different except how it looks. You'll still have the same care, and personally, I'd rather be there if I were having my surgery now instead of going to a floor. Everyone getting surgery gets a COVID test, so there is a lot less risk for exposure in the PACU. Good luck on your surgery!

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I wouldn’t worry about it at all!! I was in PACU for 4 hours after my surgery and in all honesty, I can’t really remember it being any different than the actual floor when I got moved to my room. Your really not there long enough to get comfy! They all know their jobs well! Don’t fret, just remember to walk and follow their directions!!!

good luck

You'll totally be okay. PACU staff are experts at handling post-surgical patients and they'll take good care of you.

You'll be fine. The biggest issue post-op is nausea from the anesthesia, so they're experts at this. Just be sure to get up and walk as much as you can. You'll be in good hands.

PACU is the post anesthesia care unit. It just means you’ll be cared for there (in the same area you get set up for surgery generally) instead of a separate room. You’ll probably get a lot more attention to be honest. I wouldn’t worry in the slightest.

they're probably having to shuffle people around because of all the COVID patients. I wouldn't worry about it. Like someone else said, you may get even more attention in the PACU unit than you would on the bariatric surgery floor.

Im 26 and Im exactly one month post op. It's the best decision I ever made hand down & I wish I would have done it at 20 instead. I tried everything from diets and excercise to medication... and you're right, when the medication is over you gain the weight back and then some. Medication is not a long term tool and you're damaging other parts of your body in the process (like your liver). Surgery is a tool that works for you long term. Weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for yourself!

Casey, here’s the thing with family and friends....F them. But not in a bad, angry way. Everyone you allow to know you’re making this decision is going to give you their uneducated, ignorant opinion. Stick to your guns as it were. I did not keep my surgery a secret. I was so excited about it I told my family, friends and close Co-workers. I got an earful. I let them say their peace for a moment and stood my ground! Thank you for your concern but I’m doing the research and this is my body and my choice. We’ve all heard it those of us that told others. Good luck on your journey to health and happiness!

Thank you all so much! I think this is definitely going to help me make my decision, which I'm hoping is the sleeve. Now just to work on my family's biases! ❤️

As an RN I can tell you the stresses, terrible working hours and conditions in nursing are why so many nurses are obese or morbidly obese. Top that with common sugar addiction - coworkers bringing in tons of sweets to share with all the nurses and staff to get through the 12+ hour shifts.
Having gastric sleeve surgery (at 58) was the absolute best decision of my life and my health has improved tremendously. I wish I'd been able to do it years ago. Going into the nursing profession already at BMI 40 is a time bomb. Please take care of your weight and health now, whatever you decide. In addition, you'll be on your feet for most of those 12+ hours which wrecks havoc with the knee joints if we weigh too much. Knee surgery is no joke.
I'm not trying to scare you, just letting you know the reality of the nursing profession. Whichever treatment option you decide on is up to you - just know I'm thrilled with my gastric sleeve It will take lifelong diligence with diet and weight monitoring to keep the weight from coming back but it's been a great tool helping me lose the weight and regaining my life and health. Good luck!
One thing I almost forgot to mention: Be aware that post-surgery your calorie intake will be very low but will increase gradually once on solid foods. I had trouble remembering things when on 600-700 calories a day - my brain wasn't getting what it needed to be "up to speed." It's only now that I'm averaging 900-1100 per day that I seem to be back to normal. Prepare for a temporary challenge with studying and test-taking if it affects you the same way. Will you have a summer break? Maybe do it then. Nursing school is intense and challenging, needing all our brain power to succeed.