Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

BariatricPal

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

3 Weeks Post Op, Horrible Constipation

Sorry if TMI but I woke up this morning and struggled to have a BM for an hour. Nothing came out. It was very painful and when I felt what was going on back there (gross I know), it was a hard mass. This happened on my pre op liquid diet and after taking stool softeners for 2 days it eventually broke up & passed. I thought when I was on soft foods it would be better but.. No..

What can I do? Am I allowed to have a couple of stool softener gel tabs at this point? Any home remedies?

  • Replies 27
  • Views 3.2k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Featured Replies

I have the same issues, its almost like I hit the lottery when I go! I am becoming more regular, try to drink as much water as possible, we are supposed to do 64 oz a day, I try to do eighty, cream of wheat normally helps as well as alot of leafy veggies! Good luck!

Just my input, haven't had the surgery yet..but hada big discussion on this at out last pre-op meeting. Fiber is a must.

I have just finally decided it's my new life. MOM, laxitives, stool softners - whatever. Usually a couple of times a week. I drink water all day, every day but do I always get the min of 64 OZ's? maybe not.

I have my second fill tomorrow and I'll ask the doc for better suggestions, but I do know it's fairly common. I'm six weeks out from surgery now.

I had the same issue, so much so that I had to go to the urgent care center for impacted stool and other "damage" I did back there.

Its VERY important to drink a ton of Water every single day. The water softens the stool up. Take TWO stool softner pills each day, eat activia yogurt and drink prune juice. This is all info given to me by the bariatric nutrionist. If its been 3 days since your last BM, you need to take something to help, like MiraLax. But don't overdo it on the laxative.

Hope this helps and good luck

Hey there. I don't know if this is the "best" advice for this but I was struggling to go to the bathroom as well for a little while. I had been drinking decaf coffee per the whole pre-op guidelines. Coffee, well caffeine actually, is a diuretic which they don't want you drinking prior to surgery due to the possibility of dehydration. However, I started drinking regular coffee again and I feel like it really helps with going to the bathroom in general. Just be sure to drink your 64 ounces of fluid minimum a day (32 of which should be plain water) to avoid dehydration. I love me my morning cup of joe. Hope this helps. :)

  • Author

Thank you for your suggestions. I was stupid and did nothing preventative. Haven't had a BM in a week but thought nothing of it. boy have I learned my lesson. I am getting in plenty of liquids, however eating fiber and drinking prune juice are gonna have to be a must. :/

Tried a BM again and literally felt I was going to black out, I shaking so bad. The pain and pressure comes in waves. I am going to the ER immediately. It just doesn't feel right and I'm getting scared.

Sorry if TMI but I woke up this morning and struggled to have a BM for an hour. Nothing came out. It was very painful and when I felt what was going on back there (gross I know)' date=' it was a hard mass. This happened on my pre op liquid diet and after taking stool softeners for 2 days it eventually broke up & passed. I thought when I was on soft foods it would be better but.. No..

What can I do? Am I allowed to have a couple of stool softener gel tabs at this point? Any home remedies?[/quote']

Benefiber makes little packets (like crystal lite) to add to your Water...Costco carries them they're great! You cannot taste or feel the fiber, I also use the crystal lite with it.

Sorry if TMI but I woke up this morning and struggled to have a BM for an hour. Nothing came out. It was very painful and when I felt what was going on back there (gross I know)' date=' it was a hard mass. This happened on my pre op liquid diet and after taking stool softeners for 2 days it eventually broke up & passed. I thought when I was on soft foods it would be better but.. No..

What can I do? Am I allowed to have a couple of stool softener gel tabs at this point? Any home remedies?[/quote']

I'm having the same problem but now I'm having pain where my port is after straining a couple of times yesterday. My 3 week check up is tomorrow so when I called to ask the nurse she said will the doc know and will see you tomorrow. Its not painful it hurts when I stand up. I'm so afraid that I did something and am very nervous. I will be so upset if I have done something!!!!! I've been trying so hard and following all the rules. Thanks for listening. Tammy

I have greek yogurt for breakfast an add un flavored benefiber. I also take vitafusion fiber gummies.

I had the same problem after a week out of surgery which is been for me now. It was horrible, but as gross as it sounds, if your stool is hard you kind of have to help it out. I know I know TMI, but it worked. Then I took stool softeners & Milk Of Magnesia, been going ever since. If your still having a problem call your dr.

The ER will likely give you a soap enema and some laxative. They may give you magnesium citrate which is what they told me to buy OTC from the pharmacy to literally clear my entire stool. Be prepared, with the enema it might get worse before it gets better ... but it WILL get better.

I have my 3 week check up tomorrow and thank God!! I couldnt go and yesterday i was trying to force myself. Well now I'm having pains around my port area I pray I didnt do anything.

I'm stressing big time. I called the doc office and the nurse told him my concerns and he didnt see to be concerned. Well I'm still stressing!!

Tammy

Try Miralax. I suffered with constipation for a very long time. My Gastro dr. Told me to take it everyday. It is expensive, but it does work I mix mine in a cup of hot tea devery morning and you don't taste it. It dissolves. Good Luke.

Try Miralax. I suffered with constipation for a very long time. My Gastro dr. Told me to take it everyday. It is expensive' date=' but it does work I mix mine in a cup of hot tea devery morning and you don't taste it. It dissolves. Good Luke.[/quote']

Thanks

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Trending Products

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.