Hello all. I've reached a point 3.5 years into my journey at my goal weight and a size 6 where I am what people call a pretty picture, but the misery that lurks beneath is ruining my life.

Basically, I keep a tight band, because I cannot do the regular gym routine, and there is no way on earth I will gain back any of this weight. That being said, I can eat, I just can't eat things like veggies, fruit or anything with too much Fiber. All my Vitamin levels are good, blood sugar, thyroid, hormones, everything normal.

So, I started having constipation pretty much right after surgery. Surgeon said to take a suppository every day if I needed. So, guess what happened? I became dependant. Throughout the course of that and as the weight loss progressed it got worse. It got to the point where now I had to do the warm Water enemas. I started seeking care from a colorectal doc about a year ago. I had the MRI defecografy, a CT scan and a colonoscopy. MRI showed weak pelvic floor, CT scan showed nothing and colonoscopy showed nothing. I was diagnosed with IBS with constipation. So, in addition to having IBS, I can't even get the stuff out of me due to these muscle issues. I have to take 3 Dulcolax oral pills every night, one Colase morning and night, and all that does is put me in a state of constant anxiety. My docs have me on pain meds which I try not to take since they cause further constipation. I have been given every prescription medication there is including Amitiza, but it didn't work.

My life revolves around the pain, and bloating, and stress of knowing when I go out or have something social to do that I'm going to feel like crap, so I spend the hours before trying to get relief by getting it out of me. I'm to the point now where even creamed spinach is my demise. I can't eat steak or chicken, and my diet consists of pretty much mashed potatoes, yellow rice and any sort of fried fish.

My dumbass PCP says, oh, metamucil at night and fiber. considering I really can't tolerate too much Fluid intake, that was a disaster, and no one said you must drink crazy amounts of fluid or you will end up in a tormented hell, that is what happened. Started with the Fiber One Cereal, almost ended up in the emergency room. Now it's to the point where if I go out to eat, the moment I stand up and walk a block I'm in crippling pain. Of course my surgeon insists it has nothing to do with the band, and I understand that band itself is working fine, but this is the result of his recommendation that I take suppositories daily at a point where I could still eat, and a band which allows me little food. I can only really eat standing up also. I started taking peppermint oil capsules a few days ago. It has stopped the pain, but now I feel so bloated and so uncomfortable. Maybe I always did, but the pain was more prevalent. I spend hours of my life on the toilet, and after eating out my night is ruined. My ex-boyfriend was so ridiculously understanding and cool and didn't care if I disappeared to do what I needed to do. But he's my ex now, and the thought of having to deal with this with a new guy, with whom there are many opportunities, is giving me crazy anxiety. Xanax isn't helping. I would sooner not go out to eat than have to attempt to fake being in pain.

I have tried the magnesium, can't eat a prune if I want to live to tell the tell, the senna-based stuff doesn't do much. Fiber is my enemy. I used to be happy with a handful of Froot Loops for Breakfast until they decided to add fiber. Miralax, I could have died for the three days I was waiting for it to work. I have seen every doctor under the sun. Biofeedback physical therapy was recommended, but it's only half the problem.

So, tight bandster who can't eat or drink much of anything, I really need tips or suggestions on what to eat that will be beneficial to me.

So, here I am. I can't be the only person who is going through this, since I know a lot of bandsters who choose the tight band approach. Please, I am seeking tips/suggestions from seasoned bandsters with some experience on the topic, and I am not looking to be judged or lectured on my choices. I need help. I am not going to be loosened to any point where I can start eating all this stuff again and gain the weight back, and I couldn't anyway now that I have IBS, all the "good" stuff would give me so much gas and bloating I would die. I am desperate at this point, and I really don't know what to do. I feel very alone, and I actually cancelled a date tonight because I didn't want to deal with it.

Thank you in advance for reading, and I look forward to any constructive feedback.

A combination of Miralax and Metamucil Clear & Natural works wonders for me, in addition to a diet full of veggies and fruit. I have a history of such severe constipation.

My daughter went through really terrible constipation to the point where she would bleed when she'd have a BM. We went with Miralax and let me tell you - it's a saving grace. That stuff is amazing! It also didn't make her too lose. I'd try that with a lot of water or in your protein shakes. I've been having a little constipation myself - went almost FOUR days this week. YIKES! So, I will probably be adding a little bit to my shakes in the morning, now.

Oh how I love Miralax. It's saved my behind. Literally! :thumbup:

I had terrible constipation for awhile when I was much tighter. I would bleed when I had a BM. Thank GOd now that I am maintaining, I have loosened my band quite a bit, and the constipation has completely gone away.

I have also been irregular my entire life, the ONLY thing that I found that provided reliable, healthy relief, was exercise. I worked out 5 days a week in the morning, and after a couple weeks, I was regular! It was a miracle. However, I stopped working out, and have found myself back in the state where I can not go without a laxative. I would suggest a regular exercise routine and see if that helps any.

I have a yummy solution to this problem. Xylitol It is an all natural sugar substitute with two side effects. One being if you eat too much of it, it makes you go #2 ! The second side effect, it prevents tooth decay! With only 10 calories per teaspoon, it's a great substitute for sugar. I use it in my tea.

Don't be hard on yourself, read my journey and you will see you are not alone. i have been banded for 2 yrs. it can be a lonely journey with people always judging you but at some point we have to wake up and say what do I want for a quality of life.

I am using miralax once a day and just bought some activia to try and also some apple juice, trial and error lol.

I have been on Miralax for a couple years now due to "irritable bowel syndrome". Its awesome stuff and will not give you the cramping and bloating that other products do. I take it everyday in my protein shake. You can mix it in any drink and its totally tasteless! It mixes well with coffee too!

I have been on Miralax now for almost a year....could not imagine life without it...and I have been without for a few2 days it was not pretty!

You can get a tea called "smooth move", it has Senna in it! It is good for a quick fix, but my DR says the body can become reliant on it, so in the long term use Miralax!

Also drink Water and gallons of it and walk daily for 3 miles!

Activia does work very well. I dont understand why you would want a tight band so that you cant eat healthy. Fruit and vegetables you need in your diet no matter how good your vitamin levels are. I would suggest getting some of that fluid out and start eating healthy. I am 10 months post op down 70lbs and I never had a fill yet. I wont gain my weight back. Just think this way when you want to eat something you shouldnt nothing taste as good as being thin.

Ask your doctor about a magnesium, calcium, Vitamin D liquid supplement. Vitacost has one for about 14 dollars that lasts a few months. Make sure you don't get too much Vit. D if it is in your supplement. I have been taking this magnesium supplement for years and I am never constipated. Also, ask your doctor about a fish oil supplement. This really helps the skin and heart. We are pretty sure my daughter was just constipated when the paramedics were called. We wanted to make sure it wasn't the appendix. SO, it is quite common. Make sure to ask your doctor of course. There may be a time frame when you can take this supplement. I am taking and have been for years. I hope you dont suffer from this much longer.

My daughter, 3, has terrible constipation problems. Our dr. put her on Miralax (2tsp once a day) for 3 months. He said that with chronic constipation the muscles are stretched and become less able to push it out. Milk of Magnesia is what I needed after surgery. Drinking coffee seems to help me, too. I hope something helps you.

also, Walgreen's has a generic for Miralax...

My daughter, 3, has terrible constipation problems. Our dr. put her on Miralax (2tsp once a day) for 3 months. He said that with chronic constipation the muscles are stretched and become less able to push it out. Milk of Magnesia is what I needed after surgery. Drinking coffee seems to help me, too. I hope something helps you.

I realize this thread is quite old but it's one that caught my eye. I have not had any trouble really for years until I got banded! I was in to see my gastroenterologist for the results of my colonoscopy (All Clear! Yay!) and asked him about this. He says he recommends all who have been banded or any other WLS consume Water soluble Fiber. His personal OTC choice is Benefiber. I was able to get Wally World's own brand at a significant savings today.

BTW, Dr.Xie says we should all consume more fiber - as he says, "So much fiber, a tree grow out of your anus!". Hows that for a picture?

:lol:

I realize this thread is quite old but it's one that caught my eye. I have not had any trouble really for years until I got banded! I was in to see my gastroenterologist for the results of my colonoscopy (All Clear! Yay!) and asked him about this. He says he recommends all who have been banded or any other WLS consume Water soluble Fiber. His personal OTC choice is Benefiber. I was able to get Wally World's own brand at a significant savings today.

BTW, Dr.Xie says we should all consume more fiber - as he says, "So much fiber, a tree grow out of your anus!". Hows that for a picture?

:lol: