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Help! What Do You Recommend For Bowel Movements After Lap Band Surgery?

I had surgery on 12/20 and have not have a bowel movement since. What do you guys use for this problem?

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  • I tried stool softners with no luck and then took a laxative, that worked. After that, for the first few weeks, whenever I felt myself "backing up" I would take 1 stool softner right away and it help

  • I mentioned this to my PCP. She prescribed a powder disolved in water. It does not hurt the belly, but it does get the job done. Very Gentle. Ask your Dr....

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I took the chocolate ex-lax and that worked like a charm. However, it did decide to hit at 4am. Not so fun then. ; )

I've tried milk of M, both pills & liquid. Benefiber powder in my protein drink everyday, and still issues! Ready for a jack hammer! :) More water & walking I guess. :)

Oh, I do remember the post-op constipation. I did the ex-lax chews, colace, and it basically took a combination of all of that, plus a ton of water. Oh, and pain killers will back you up like nothing else, so if you take a narcotic pain reliever to help get through the eventual marathon bathroom experience and abdominal cramps that accompany a week of no poop, it will only perpetuate the cycle. Remember that you're not eating solid food, so there probably isn't as much waste as we are used to.

Benefibre and lots of water. I would also check with your doctor and make sure you are not impacted...if that is the case, you will need something more powerful to clear out your system (3 weeks without a BM is serious, get it checked out!)

I've tried milk of M, both pills & liquid. Benefiber powder in my Protein drink everyday, and still issues! Ready for a jack hammer! smile.png More Water & walking I guess. smile.png

After taking milk of Mag in liquid form you end up with liquid comimg out. Just like they said there really isnt any substance living on a liquid diet.

Banded 22 Dec just went today !whew,,, 2 tablespoons of milk of magnesia last nite with 8 oz water. Feel so much better.

I am on week 3 and have had the same issue. Don't wait too long I didn't go for 5 days. i finally took milk of magnesia and was quite sick for a good hour. I was so backed up I lost about 2.5 pounds after that. lol.

My doctor said milk of mag... Start at full dose as often as it says until you have a BM and then work your way down to the lower dose until you get back on schedule. She said this will help stimulate your bowls to wake them up after surgery. I was banded on 12/29 and had the same problem.

  • 2 weeks later...

I have used/tried everything that folks have suggested and most that are listed here. However, no miracles for me - nothing has been very effective. I still have periodic problems and can only resolve them with a mixture of remedies and double-dosing.

Good news is that persistent constipation (and occasional sticking food) is my only issue. Still losing weight steadily and half-way to goal, despite some cheating over the holidays.

Banded 8/30 in St Petersburg by Dr Huguet.

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