I know this might not be the best topic of conversation, but I noticed that I am not having bowel movements on a regular basis. It takes me about 3 days to have one. Is this normal or should I be worried? How can I treat it and what can I take to become regular?

valleygirl

If you are drastically cutting your food intake as most of us are doing then yes, you are eating less therefore pooping less. If it becomes an issue of not going for more than 3 or 4 days like it did for me then I would recommend Miralax. This is basically a super hygroscopic powder that adsorbs water as it passes through the gut and adds bulk and moisture to the stool.

Oh yes! Miralax is good stuff. For me if things get REALLY bad I have to take a colace. Usually just one is enough for me. The thing that helps me the most is getting all of my water in and then some. I find I'm much more regular when I get all my fluids. Good luck!

I started to ask this same question, but I am 10 days post op and thus on liquids. Not sure if even Miralax will help at this point.

My doc gave me a shot glass of MoM before I left the hospital. I took another shot my first day back (yuck!) IT did get things going the next day. I have also been drinking split pea soup... think the fiber in this has helped too.

WARNING - TMI

I had loose bowels while my body ridded itself of the IV fluids, then one day it stopped, and days passed. After about 3 days, I decided to start using benefiber 3 to 4 times a day. Finally I started moving, but my hemmorrhoids, which I had not had problems with since my last pregnancy, were awful. It was painful, slow and bloody. Therefore, I now take benefiber on a regular basis. once a day the first day no movement, twice a day if two days since movement, and three times a day if three or more days. I now usually only go about every 3 days, but it is a normal consistency and no pain. I have read some scary stories about BM's so be sure to get your Water in, and something to make it soft or fiber. Best of luck.

I haven't had a BM in 2 weeks on this silly pre-op diet. Hopefully that will normalize out after surgery.

The Benefiber sugar free chewables - 3 each, 3 times a day...worked wonders!

Milk of Magnesia, tastes like crap, but works good. You don't want to have to bear down too much when its finally time to go... so take care of it early if you can.

This is a problem with most sleevers. I swear by Miralax. I take a half a dose every other day and it's great.

It used to be a prescription and I remember my .mother's doctor prescribing it to her and telling me it's perfectly safe to use every day

Thank you all for your help and advice. i am on my way to the pharmacy! Thanks

Took me 4 days don't feel bad what goes in must come out! LOL I never took anything just kept drinking and walking and eventually happens.

If you are having normal movements just spaced out I would recommend Bennifiber. However if you are having trouble going when you go then add Miralx daily ASAP. Constipation can be horrible on the high protein diet.

FYI, I just bought individual packets of miralax to keep at work and my purse, got them from soap.com. I am sure other places have them. We have a large bottle at the house that docs have told me to give to two of my children on occasion and I started using for myself when having trouble. I am now 4 days post op and haven't gone, but I don't feel gross or heavy probably because I am doing all liquids. But it is sure to come with the high protein that is why I am stocking up now!

Consider mixing in a supplement like "benefiber" with your protein shake or water. Fiber never hurt anyone

I was having maybe 1 or 2 BMs every 2 weeks, then I noticed that I was going everyday! Thought I was coming down with a bug or something but felt fine otherwise. Then noticed that I was having a little acid back up in my throat and was trying to think what I was doing different that could be causing the acid, notice didn't worry about the BMs. I started eating 6 bite size pieces of cantaloupe at lunch everyday. the cafeteria at work starting putting it on the salad bar and it just looked so darn good that I had to have it! it cost over a buck a day for those 6 pieces, but they got the plumbing moving along! So this weekend I went to the store and got my own, and I will just deal with the extra little bit of acid, cause the weight is also starting to fall off again!!!

Patti