I was banded on 1/16 & cannot go to the bathroom without talking Dulcolax:( Once I take it I get SEVERE stomach cramping but I finally use the restroom. I have saw several threads concerning ppl using milk of magnesia. Can anyone who has gone this route please tell me the regimen you put yourself on & does it cause cramping?

I have used milk of magnesia before in the past, when I was pregnant. It does not cause cramping that I ever had. It does make you tummy rubble a little though. I may have I go get me some now b/ c I am starting to have trouble. The more protein I get the worse it is.

Miralax mix it with water or crystal light. It has no taste and does not give you the stomach cramps that laxatives do. when I was band in Dec I used it about twice week and drank lots of water. Now I know when I do not get all my water in because I get constipated very painful...WATER is the key to keep everything working correctly....

Most Drs don't want you using laxatives b/c of cramping, usually its just a stool softener or fiber pills.

Call your Dr and asked them what they would recommend.

Wondering why Drs don't cover this in their post op instructions?lol

I have used milk of mag and miralax. My doctor recommended the milk of mag. It's not fun at all. I am now on stool softeners daily (3) and that is help, but I still only go about every other day. But, it is starting to get better. This is apparently common with WLS patients.

very common I switch around but M.O.M. works great with no cramps...

Drink lots of fluids. I had this problem but upped my liquid intake and it improved.... Hope you don't mind my warped sense of humor but I thought this video was funny, as many of us have been here...

I used MOM after surgery to get going and from that point put myself back on probiotics, which did the trick. I was on Pearls (fear of larger probiotic size I took before surgery) for 6 months and they did good but then I started not going my normal schedule so I switched to Culterelle (bigger pill but goes down fine) and I have gone every day, unbelievable, I just hope this stuff keeps up, not the going every day, but keeping this regular, I feel 100 times better.

I never got any relief from MOM, ducolax or benefiber. I am now on DAILY half dose Miralax. It also helps if you walk at least 2 miles a day.

I had my first BM issue this morning. Felt very constipated even though I went a little yesterday. Was bloated and it was also causing issues when urinating...felt like i couldn't empty my bladder. Realized I was not drinking enough so more water today and also started on stool softener. Haven't gone yet, but passed gas several times since mid afternoon and that alone made me feel better. Will continue with the stool softener and water and hopefully that will do the trick. Sorry if this is TMI but I figured based on the topic, it would be OK to share...)

I was told to use Miralax in Oct by my family doc due to bathroom issues & it did not help at all. Now I have added the WLS & boy is it horrible. I am going to try the MOM until Thurs. I go to my surgeon for my 2 wk follow & I am going to ask him. I could probably lose weight if I wasn't storing away so much poop!

My doctors advice was take 1 tablespoon of milk of magnesia until you have a bowel movement or diarrhea. I took a tablespoon of it my second day post op and had diarrhea later that day. And today is just my 3rd day post op and I haven't taken any m.o.m. And I haven't had a bm today. So, there ya go!

Try to drink warm Water. I found some "Fiber Advance"gummies at Wal-mart. Taste great!

I just take 2 fiber gummies and 1 colace (stool softener) a day and it keeps me regular. Does

Not cause cramping.

I drink a glass of Plumsmart Light Prune juice at night. Start with just 8 ounces.

I'm 3 days post op and feel miserable. I have horrible gas pains and have not had a BM in 4 days! I have this constant burp feeling but nothing comes out. I can't even pass gas through my bottom even if I wanted to! I've been walking, taking gasx, drinking miralax and prune juice. Nothing seems to be working! My husband has even been trying to burp me like a baby since most of my pain is in my back!