Hi Guys, this is long but important. I can't be bothered with spelling, sorry.

I have not been around much because I had a complication. I was also struggling with whether I should post it or not. I am not shy so the topic does not bother me but I don't want to scare people away from this wonderful life changing surgery. I decided it could be a good cautionary tale to keep people on program with fluids. Don't screw around. Sip, sip! It is THAT important.

I, like many others, have been struggling a little with constipation. When you don't eat much there is not much there to make a BM. No big deal right? Well not for me.......

I started to feel constipated for the second time since surgery on Monday, Sept 30th. I kind of ignored it as bathroom habits are all out of whack for everyone now. By Wednesday I was feeling really constipated and uncomfortable. I emailed my team and they said drink Milk of Magnesia. It will be ok. It was not even close to ok.

Wednesday afternoon I could tell I needed to have a movement but when I would go to the bathroom nothing would happen. I didn't strain because I thought it would just happen on it's own when ready. Wednesday evening this "mass" (as you will see later) was really trying to come out. I was starting to get involuntary pushing on the toilet trying to expel this movement. I could tell it was large and very hard. This is when I started to notice a lot of blood, mucus, and Water moving past the mass. I was also cramping very badly and upset about the whole situation.

I called my mother who is a nurse. She felt I might be "impacted" and needed to contact my team in the morning. She recomended I take a Valium (to stop the painful spasms) and try and get some sleep. "Impacted" is when there there is a large mass of BM that will not move on it's own because of the size and hardness. I did not have a fever or any other problems. I did not feel my pain was worth a trip to the E.R. I took a Valium and went to bed.

At about 4 a.m. Thursday I woke up with the feeling of needing to have a movement. I went to the bathroom and the involuntary pushing started. The only way I can describe it is when you have bad diareha and can't control the way it comes out? That is the contractions I am talking about. I couldn't stop pushing. After about 30 mins of this I was ready to tell my husband to call an ambulance. I was in terrible pain in my rectal area. I finally passed a movement the size of a water bottle that was rock hard. No joke. No exageration. Needless to say a lot of blood and mucus followed. It was very painful and traumatic. I screamed through the whole ordeal. My husband was very upset and didn't know what to do but tell me he loved me and hang in there.

My mother was sleeping after her night shift (I didn't want to wake her) and I was feeling a little better (though very sore) so I went to work. I emailed my care team and told them what happened. Later in the morning I started to spot bleed from my rectum and started to get worried. My team told me to get to my PCP who was waiting for me. I was begining to feel a lot of pain at this point. Of course I got a flat tire on the way to my doctor's office and had to walk the last 3 blocks. No easy feat when you have been through what I had just gone through.

He examined me (NOT fun) and found I had fissures and tears all throughout my rectum. This is what was causing the bleeding. I now have an internal pain killing cream I put in with a syringe thing, a cream I put in also, more Loritab, and Valium for the rectal spasms that almost make you want to pass out. I should heal in 7 -14 days. Walking makes the area spasm so walking much is out of the question right now. The whole experieince has been very painful. To top it off I am in a stall right now. My weight is flucuation 2 lbs, back and forth.

Why did this happen? Because I did not get enough fluids! I really believe this was the root of the problem as I live in a hot climate and sweat during the day often. I also was getting no Fiber (none of us are at the begining), and eating lots of cheese for Protein (well lots for us with small tummies). It was a perfect storm.

I am using Metimucil's Clear Metamucil Clear & Natural now. This stuff is great. I am starting with 1 tsp a day to get my system used to it. It has no taste. I can't even tell I have put it in my water.

I am eating less cheese. I am getting all my fluids and not kidding myself about getting enough. Measuring is the only way I know I am getting what I need.

Please talk with your doctor about adding this fiber to your diet and make sure you are getting fluids. This whole thing was my fault for not getting fluids. I have learned my lesson. Don't follow in my footsteps.

I wanted to give a quick update to let all know reading later that this is / was resolving.

As long as I am good about my Fiber and Fluid intake I am fine. If I am bad things can get clogged up but I have not had anything like the initial episode happen again. I am healing well from the intial episode also.

Again this was almost all my fault. I was being bad about getting the proper amount of fluids each day. Screwing off with your fluids is the biggest cause of non mechanical (like a leak) problems I suspect.

Every body is different so now that you know your weak places you'll be extra careful. Cheese is BINDING, I think everyone is aware of that, so cheese is probably not a food that you can now tolerate. Stick with veggies and fruits for fiber, plus your supplements, and be active as you can handle it. I use to love Ahi tuna, we use to have it at least 1X a week. Now, I can't tolerate it because it's too fiberous for me. Things change after this surgery. The only kind of cheese I have on occasion is low fat string cheese as a protein snack, however, no more than "on occasion." Hope you heal completely. My Dad, who is no longer with us, had fistulas, and had surgery more than once to correct them. IDK why he had them; we never discussed. IDK if it was something he created by his eating habits or not, but the result was bad news. He had a high stress job and was always running around and eating on the run, bad habits that didn't help him in the long run. I digress. Hope you are feeling better by now and this all becomes just a memory. Thank you for sharing your story; it's good for everyone to read about the what-ifs of others. Best to you.

The original and a few more posts had quite an - (SORRY. NO PUN INTENDED) - impact on me. I am drinking, drinking, drinking.

I am really worried about this part. I have ALWAYS been so VERY regular with regards to BMs (2-3 times a day). I WANT a BM everyday - I worry if I don't get one even after the surgery. I have had them and watery because I am still on fluids. But, I am having them.

Thanks for posting that it is getting resolved. Makes me behave even more.

Glad you are doing better.

ReadytoMaintain

If you want one every day, you should take the Miralax. If not, you won't have one every day. We just don't have enough room in our stomachs for enough fruits and veggies and we would be eating non stop.

I was thinking the same thing as Daisy. You just don't take in enough mass to have one everyday. I am every third day right now. That seems to work just fine for my body.

Thanks OregonDaisy and DowninSocial for your help.

I do wonder - how many calories are you eating a day?

Thanks!

ReadytoMaintain

I take in approx. 600-800 calories a day and have a BM every day - most days - without the need for laxatives. I am derelict on getting all the fluids I should, as well. I think what is normal is what's normal for YOU, and on this subject you cannot compare yourself to others' BM habits.

AJW,

thanks for your info. Indeed, we are all individuals. I am gathering information to prepare myself with all the POSSIBILITIES of what COULD happen. BM/day, BM/every 3 days, etc. and how much someone is eating in relation to THEIR BM.

That's all.

Thanks.

ReadytoMaintain

I don't count calories so I don't have a clue. I just make sure to get plenty of exercise so I pretty much eat whatever I want. I am really bad. I eat candy, cake cookies etc, all the time, but I don't seem to gain. My meal portions are small, and I exercise like crazy, so I am maintaining at goal with no trouble at all.

I don't count calories so I don't have a clue. I just make sure to get plenty of exercise so I pretty much eat whatever I want. I am really bad. I eat candy, cake Cookies etc, all the time, but I don't seem to gain. My meal portions are small, and I exercise like crazy, so I am maintaining at goal with no trouble at all.

Oh, no. This is good information. It's good for me. I actually do exercise as well, (not now after surgery) so it's good to know that with exercise I will be able to maintain weightloss even if I am a naughty with my food. THAT is what I have NEVER been able to do. I exercise just to maintain my heavy weight. So, this is good news!

Thanks!

ReadytoMaintain

I do count my protein. I know that's important to not loose muscle mass. Other than that, I pretty much eat whatever I want. If I figure out my protein in the evening and it's not where it's supposed to be, I eat a Greek Yogurt, 10 grams of protein, or a protein shake of 20-30 grams, whatever I need. I am lucky that I love my protein drinks.

I'm late to the party on this subject but wanted to add my "cure" for constipation. After trying all sorts of Fiber supplements, M-0-M, and other laxatives...I find I get the most reliable and natural results by drinking apple cider. I realize it's high in carbs because it's a fruit juice...but 6 oz of apple cider every other day will keep me regular without having to add a medication or supplement.

Tracy

I found some gummy fiber pills (like gummy vitamins) that taste REALLY good and they have kept me the most regular I have ever been in my life - two in the morning and that's it - if I happen to eat salad that day, I skip the gummy fiber the next day.

What's the name of these wonder gummies?

I found some gummy fiber pills (like gummy vitamins) that taste REALLY good and they have kept me the most regular I have ever been in my life - two in the morning and that's it - if I happen to eat salad that day, I skip the gummy fiber the next day.

Vegas, yes what is the name of these fiber gummies. . .