Has anyone else had any problems going to the bathroom since being banded. Once I got to my sweet spot and my intake was so small my outtake has almost stopped. I know this is a gross and personal subject but I know there has to be others on here with the same problem. I bought an organic 15 day cleanse to try. But the pills are so big that I am having problems getting them down and keeping them down. I try to eat at least on Fiber Bar a day. I hate to take laxitives but sometimes have to and they dont even always work. Does anyone have any suggestions? This has been a problem for at least 6 months. I would love to do a cleanse because I feel that since this has been an ongoing problem I need to get everything out. Any reccommendations of one that I can get down. Sorry for the gross subject.

Since we're on the subject... I used to have the "squirts" most of the time but since I have had to take more diabetes meds i'm now passing "deer pellets'. I seem to have a harder (no pun...honest!) time having a normal movement. I drink lots of water but I really think all the chemicals in the medication has something to do with it. I haven't had surgery yet...still reading all I can and found this forum yesterday. Maybe any medication could be a factor. I know Vicodin is very constipating.

I have had problems since my banding in July and my clinic recommened milk of magnesia which works really well if you can get it down, it tastes terrible. Last week though I went on the 5 day pouch test and was thrilled to discover that the 2 days of fluids not only gave me increased restriction but I've been going everyday! Plus I've lost 4lbs and ended a long plateau!

Thank you to those of you brave enough to post on this embarassing subject. I am also having major problems in this area. I was banded in June and the problem has gotten progressively worse. I talked to my doc and they told me just take 1 stool softener a day and that should take care of it. It's nothing for me to go two weeks in between movements. Here's what I've tried...

Stool softeners - started with 1 then 2 then 3 a day. No luck.

Strong coffee. Before surgery, if I was backed up, a strong cup of Starbucks took care of that problem. Now, nothing.

Exercise. I walk from building to building at work and have been doing home renovations myself so my body has been moving, but not my bowels.

Fiber - Fiber One bars, Fiber Cereal, Fiber Gummies, fruit, cherry flavored prunes. I find that the extra Fiber gives me terrible, terrible gas pain. The natural cherry flavored prunes are the best so far. I started with a few and kept upping the amount. After a quite large quantity of prunes at first I started to go, but even eating 5-10 a day isn't resolving the problem anymore. Plus, I'm getting very tired of the taste of even cherry or orange flavored prunes. Plus, when I eat a lot of prunes, they fill me up and I don't get my Protein in.

Occasional laxatives - somewhat effective, but terrible cramps. Plus, I dislike the idea of trying laxatives.

I have endured things in the bathroom that no person should have to endure. I've come out in tears, exhausted and embarrassed. I will not discuss the details of what I've had to do to get the baseball sized compacted poo out of me. It's simply unbearable. I am tired of bleeding every time I poo. I'm embarrased to go at work because what if someone hears me sniffling while trying to poop and I'm embarrased to go at home because it never fails to stop up the toilet for days, even after it goes part-way down. It's become a very serious problem for me. I'm incredibly ashamed to even have to post this online to try to get help, but it's easier than talking to someone (even my doc) face-to-face about it. It's extra hard to speak to my doctors about it because I work for the same company in a professional position - it's awkward.

So, to sum up: I do not tolerate fiber well at all, I'm severely, severely constipated and nothing seems to be working. Feeling a little hopeless.

I completely understand what you are doing through. My doctor put me on Miralax as well and, so long as I am consistent, I do not have as much of a problem...but you NEED to talk to your doctor. I waited 2 years because of embarrassment and was so much happier after I spoke with him. There could also be other serious issues that need to be looked into. Go see your doctor.

Has anyone else had any problems going to the bathroom since being banded. Once I got to my sweet spot and my intake was so small my outtake has almost stopped. I know this is a gross and personal subject but I know there has to be others on here with the same problem. I bought an organic 15 day cleanse to try. But the pills are so big that I am having problems getting them down and keeping them down. I try to eat at least on Fiber Bar a day. I hate to take laxitives but sometimes have to and they dont even always work. Does anyone have any suggestions? This has been a problem for at least 6 months. I would love to do a cleanse because I feel that since this has been an ongoing problem I need to get everything out. Any reccommendations of one that I can get down. Sorry for the gross subject.

cooked red beets, or you may want to search google for Natural laxatives for more options

Thank you to those of you brave enough to post on this embarassing subject. I am also having major problems in this area. I was banded in June and the problem has gotten progressively worse. I talked to my doc and they told me just take 1 stool softener a day and that should take care of it. It's nothing for me to go two weeks in between movements. Here's what I've tried...

Stool softeners - started with 1 then 2 then 3 a day. No luck......................................

Aprilalison,

I feel for you. I know what its like for I suffer the same as you do. Before getting banded I used Metamucil which I was told not to use anymore, however, doc has allowed me to use the powder in small amounts of 1/4 teaspoon 3 times a day in double the amount of Water. I did find something that has just been put out on the market that is working really, really well for me. The stuff is called Nopalina and consists of Flax seed, Wheat bran, Oat bran, Cactus, apple, orange and grapefruit. I'm guessing that the fruits in there are extracts (???). Anyhow, this stuff really works for me. What I like about it is that it doesn't taste bad and does not get all thickened up like metamucil does. Give it a try, what do you have to lose. Walgreens, now carries it.

I drink 1 cup of prune juice a day and since I started that I have had no problems.

I was so happy to find this post! It's day two post surgery and I haven't had a BM since the day before the surgery. I've had several surgeries before (diabetic retinapothy) and I know the narcotics can cause the constipation. I haven't taken any vicoden yet today (really, didn't need to) but am concerned about the BM. So, based on what I heard on hear I took some milk of magnesia. I'm still waiting, but we'll see how the rest of the day goes and into the night. Thanks again for your post!!

Bennefiber works well and blends into drinks and soft foods amazingly well!

Thanks Lisa & Rainy - I'll check out the Pearls - I've never heard of those before. I'm a big yogurt person though. Does anyone know if freezing the yogurt kills the good bacteria? I'm in love with Go-Gurts.

Looking at the sugar content of those should change that.

I am so thankful that this subject was brought up! I have had the most horrible time trying to go and it's just

not happening. Bleeding and crying should not be part of that routine. I have gotten several ideas and like others

fiber pills and mixes just dont seem to cut it for me. I have also started looking into colon hydrotherapy, but no decisions

at the moment. From reading all the comments I have other solutions to try before I shell out money for someone else

to help me... Thanks everyone!

Eat activia and take Magnesium (yes the vitamin) Magnesium will make you go go go

I'm having similar "deer pellets" problems. I went out an got metimucal. Morning and night and I have a soft bowel movement each day.