How have people found their bowl movements since preop to before they were able to eat a variety of solids again.

It's all too much information I know, but I'm very constipated so to speak, I used to go daily but I quit smoking in October, that started an oddness when going now after 3 weeks of eating differently I'm going like every three days and then it's a struggle and is uncomfortable to say the least.

Really I wanted to know if this was normal?

Tomorrow is the start of week three, where I should be on mashies, although have been experimenting this last week with mash and such things, I've been trying to hold off as long as possible for optimum weight loss.

Just to note, my connection had broke so my surgery was to reconnect not to have the band fitted, although did have 2mls put in x

Yes its normal but you can take something. Some peri colace or something until you get regular again or prune juice works too.

Thank you. I've got some prescribed stuff but never took it as prescribed because I didn't want to become reliant on it, I will start taking it more regularly though to see how I go, never thought about prune juice so will try this also x

I'm 4 mo postoperative and have to put a big scoop of fiber powder in my coffee and take two fiber gummies every day to stay somewhat regular. Even with that I can still go days without going.

I am 3 1/4 years out and still have to use fiber, and sometimes a stool softener. Don't know why we havw this kind of trouble, if someone else does, I will watch for it too! Best wishes, Karen

I have chronic constipation. My doc finally put me on 1/2 dose of Miralax daily. Still don't go every day, but much better. I had rabbit pellets before. High protein can cause constipation. Be sure to get you liquid in every day, as dehydration does not help.

To avoid constipation there really are only 3 things you need to balance:

1. Fluid intake

2. Physical mobility

3. Diet ( bulk via fiber)

Following lap band surgery all 3 of these items are a challenge. Also, additional things are impacting the risk of constipation….anesthesia and postoperative narcotics.

Unfortunately during the early stages of post-op, the ability to obtain adequate bulk into our diets is limited. As a matter of fact, even when you are able to eat all sorts foods again, getting in enough roughage will continue to be a challenge.

It was highly recommended to me (pre-op instructions), to add a fiber powder to my daily regimen. Don’t worry about “becoming” dependent on fiber. It is something our bodies need. We are dependent on it. As far as use of laxatives is concerned….it’s okay to use. Once you are able to get up and exercise more, and you are drinking plently of fluids and add in the fiber, your GI will get into regularity again….may not be as before surgery, but a new “regular” nevertheless.

I found Colace to be very helpful... very mild.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I have chronic constipation issues since being banded. I take a chewable fiber supplement daily to help. I drink a ton of water, too. If I do this I'm ok, but if I miss a couple days of the fiber supplement or don't drink enough water, boy I feel the negative effects.

I am so happy that this was posted and everyone responded. So, im not the only one! Guess ill be going to Cvs this morning to get chewable fiber treats... i think im going to do a cleanse too...

Thanks for all the replies, didn't realize there were so many as I accidentally logged out.

I'm going through a bit of a funny stage in life at the moment suffering with some anxiety issues so I'm reading all sorts into it, the constipation has caused a pile which has caused bleeding which has caused massive alarm bells ringing in my head, I feel all funny in my lower abdomen and am having a fair bit of wind both ends, TMI! I know - I'm sorry.

Is it just because of my change on diet or do I have great cause for concern??

I'm trying my very best to drink as much as possible but like we all know this can be quit difficult so don't think I'm getting as much as needed bit like I said I'm working on it x

Think all bandsters suffer this way! I'm in the UK and have something called lactulose. It's a syrupy med and I just have a swig each morning. It's a softener so no cramps that some laxatives can give you. I do find that if I don't have enough water in the day that has an effect to. To make sure I'm getting my water now I fill a big bottle of my daily water and make sure that I make every effort to get through all of it. Someone on here called it 'Melting Juice' I love that and they are so right. If I dont drink enough I don't lose weight! Good luck x

Yes I'm also from the uk, that's what I've got :-) I was just taking a swig here and there but I'm trying to take it as prescribed which is 15ml twice a day, tbf I'm not really eating anything at all, so there's not a lot to pass. I was thinking the same about making a bottle up, it's 2 liters isn't it?? Maybe it will do the trick if I'm say looking at it, it's strange cause I am thirsty, I usually notice this when I can't get my hands on a drink though lol x

Yes I'm also from the uk' date=' that's what I've got :-) I was just taking a swig here and there but I'm trying to take it as prescribed which is 15ml twice a day, tbf I'm not really eating anything at all, so there's not a lot to pass. I was thinking the same about making a bottle up, it's 2 liters isn't it?? Maybe it will do the trick if I'm say looking at it, it's strange cause I am thirsty, I usually notice this when I can't get my hands on a drink though lol x[/quote']

Yea. Definitely put Water so you can see that your taking it. I plateaued with weight loss for a bit and listened to people on here. Now I stick to 1000/1100 using MyFinessPal app on phone and its working. And it gives you a breakdown of all nutrients. If you don't have it well worth getting x

Right after I went off my post-op liquid diet I was very constipated with terrible cramps. I was literally keeling over in pain. Once my body got used to solids the crazy pain stopped, but now 4 months later im still a bit constipated. I eat fiber one brownie bars, raisin bran cereal, and try to get in at LEAST 20g of fiber per day. doesn't always happen but I try