Sorry to be so gross, but I am having a rough time with using the bathroom. I was banded on Feb. 8. I used the bathroom about a week later (diarrhea). I had diarrhea again a few days later. Then I didn't use the bathroom for about a week and a half. When I finally did use it. I was on the toilet 6 times within an hour and a half, and I think I pooped out all my insides or if felt like it. My stomach hurt so bad. I felt like I was going to die. It even made me throw up. I felt awful afterwards that I had to go home for the rest of the day. Well that was the last time I used the bathroom until today. The same thing happened. I was on the toilet for an hour. Like I said it was very painful, and I threw up my Breakfast this time as well. I get so weak after this, and I had to miss work today as well b/c I felt so bad afterward. I turn white as a ghost.

I don't know what in the world is happening. I never used the bathroom regularly before surgery, but this feels like I am dying. I guess my body is still getting used to everything since it has only been 4 weeks and 1 day, but this is horrible. Did anyone have any pooping issues like this? Sorry again for being so gross, but I don't know what is happening!

I have not had any issues with poop other than being too regular. I would definitely call your regular MD and your surgeon. Not going for long periods of time can make it start to affect other systems and you don't want any additional problems. Make an appointment very soon.

Yeah I agree you need to talk to the Dr. I did have a diarrhea probably the first week. I believe that its b/c of the liquid diet. You should be regular by now, plus I don't get why you are throwing up so much. Keep us posted.

I have not been banded, but I do work in the medical field. My best recommendation is for you to see the doctor. It sounds that it has been going on too long to be a virus and too long for it to be your digestive system adjusting to the band. See your doctor if for nothing else then ease of mind.

I have an appointment next week to get my fill. I will ask him when I go. Thank you everybody. I know it is the weirdest thing. I guess I'm so stopped up when I do go that it makes me sick.

Jessica, I am sorry you are having to go through this, but perhaps it will help you to know that you are not alone!

I have always had a constipation problem and I usually had a bm about every 3rd day. Sometimes I would not be able to go that often and as a result, when things finally broke loose, I had some of the same things going on that you do. I would have terrible cramping, nausea, alternating burning up and feeling cold. Finally things would happen after what seemed an eternity! Then the diarreah would start until nothing was left! When I finally learned to take my metamucil every day, it helped a lot

So after banding (7 months ago) I have had the same trouble. The longest between bm's was 10 days!!!!! I had trouble taking metamucil because it would get too thick before I could get it all down. I tried activia yogurt and it did help some.

Last month at my check-up with my surgeon, I mentioned it to him and he said I should take some milk of magnesia since it is a rather mild laxative. After it works, he said that I should try a glass of prune juice each day and take a stool softener. What do you know....that really helped!!!

Other people have other methods that work for them....every one is different! I hope your problem is as easy to solve (after 6 months!) as mine was.

Having said that, I really agree with everyone else and hope that you tell your doctor what is going on. After all, you need to rule out any other possibilities for what you are going through.

Please let us know what the doctor says.

Good luck!!!!!

Ok, that would scare me to death and I would have to call the doctor. I would not be able to wait another week? Do you still have your gallbladder? It can cause gastrointestinal problems too.

I do still have my gallbladder. I will try taking a stool softener, but I just didn't think anything about it b/c I wasn't regular before surgery. I heard drinking water helps, and I've been getting close to 64 oz. a day during the week when I'm at work. It is harder to do on the weekend for some reason.

Jessica, I am sorry you are having to go through this, but perhaps it will help you to know that you are not alone!

I have always had a constipation problem and I usually had a bm about every 3rd day. Sometimes I would not be able to go that often and as a result, when things finally broke loose, I had some of the same things going on that you do. I would have terrible cramping, nausea, alternating burning up and feeling cold. Finally things would happen after what seemed an eternity! Then the diarreah would start until nothing was left! When I finally learned to take my metamucil every day, it helped a lot

So after banding (7 months ago) I have had the same trouble. The longest between bm's was 10 days!!!!!:wub: I had trouble taking metamucil because it would get too thick before I could get it all down. I tried activia yogurt and it did help some.

Last month at my check-up with my surgeon, I mentioned it to him and he said I should take some milk of magnesia since it is a rather mild laxative. After it works, he said that I should try a glass of prune juice each day and take a stool softener. What do you know....that really helped!!!

Other people have other methods that work for them....every one is different! I hope your problem is as easy to solve (after 6 months!:sad:) as mine was.

Having said that, I really agree with everyone else and hope that you tell your doctor what is going on. After all, you need to rule out any other possibilities for what you are going through.

Please let us know what the doctor says.

Good luck!!!!!

That does sound like me! I usually went evey 3rd day as well. I know before surgery when I could eat my Cereal, the Splenda would make me go (sometimes). I heard coffee will make you go, but I don't like it. Also, I didn't use the bathroom for over a week after surgery. Then it was diarrhea on the liquid stage, and now this.

DianaG, thanks for the info on what your doctor told you. I'm having the same problem as Jessica. I had surgery January 15th and since then have had problems. When I do go, it's so painful that it makes me sick. Stool softeners help a little, but I'm going to follow what DianaG's doctor told her and see if it works for me. I have a doctor's appointment on Friday, I'll ask him about it too.

I was taking laxatives for a couple of weeks then discovered Fiber Choice chewable tablets. They taste good and I don't have to worry about laxative dependency. I am sure you all got your thyroid checked before your surgery, but if not you should. Constipation is a symptom of low thyroid. I just got mine checked and I need 50% more medication so I expect I won't need the Fiber Choice within a week or so....... Hugs to all.!!!

Before having my lapband surgery I had my gallbladder removed and EVERYTHING I ate would go right through me so I started taking a medication called Questrin and it kept me fairly regular. After being banded I find that I am lucky to go to the bathroom every 3-4 days and I too feel like my stomach hurts until I go. I have started taking a small teaspoon of milk of magneisia, I would imigine the way we have changed our eating habits have a lot to do with it, good luck... Lynda

One word: Senna Leaf Tea! (Ok that's 3)

You can get it at any health store and it works instantly. I mean, like you take 3-4 sips and as you're swallowing, you hear your stomach... My doc told me to drink a cup 1/day. Otherwise, nothing is moving.

Eventually it will get more regular on its own, but post surgery your system goes nuts.

Hello again,

I just re-read my post about taking the milk of magnesia and then prune juice and stool softener....and realized that it sort of sounded like I said to use the milk of magnesia every day! Sorry about that!:blushing:

You take the milk of magnesia only if you are really constipated. The only things I was told to take daily was the stool softener and the prune juice!! It is o.k. to take the milk of magnesia if you become constipated again, but not as a daily thing!! Even with the prune juice and the stool softener, it is still possible to become constipated depending on how much Fluid you drink and what foods you eat.

I am 7 months post-op and still have the occasional problem.

Sorry if I created some confusion with my first post and hope that this cleared it up.:laugh:

I would be interested in what your doctor's tell you, so keep posting!!

I was taking laxatives for a couple of weeks then discovered Fiber Choice chewable tablets. They taste good and I don't have to worry about laxative dependency. I am sure you all got your thyroid checked before your surgery, but if not you should. Constipation is a symptom of low thyroid. I just got mine checked and I need 50% more medication so I expect I won't need the Fiber Choice within a week or so....... Hugs to all.!!!

I am editing my own post here. I have been taking the increased thyroid for only three days and I am already seeing a difference in the bowel issues!!! Just posting an update..... Everyone have a great weekend ok? Hugs!!!

I've been through similar issues and for me it came and went and I havent had an issue for aaages till just lately.

I never ever get constipated but I'd go and suddenly, without warning, strong cramps would start. I'd poop and poop and poop for like 2 or 3 hours - normal consistency, must so much of it, lol. I dont know where i was hiding it all, I'd go five or six times in that time. Not diarrhoea though, just cramps (which got to making me puke stage) and normal poop. The rest of the day I'd be shaky, wrung out and ill.

Then that would be it until some sudden event again months down the track.

For me, we suspect it was endometriosis.

However, for the last five or six weeks, I've had different issues - a strong urge to go which would be nothign but a bit of froth and bubbles to be completely gross. Six times a day. Stinky gas. Horrible smelling bm's. Kind a dark/reddy colour. I have not had a solid one in weeks. Its really weird. We treated the whole family for worms, that made no difference. So I'm off to the doc tomorrow. There's nothing else you can do but see a doctor, you have to check it out. It could be a disruption to bacterial balances, a fungal thing, something relatively more serious like polyps or a motility issue, or an ongoing infection, you just dont know. Nobody can tell you online, you really need to be tested.