CONSTIPATION.....not any easy subject to talk about. Let me tell you a little about myself first and how I came to post this. I am 52 years old and was sleeved Feb. 25, 2013, 83 days ago. I am down 42 pounds. I feel better than I have since I was in my 20's. I am off my cholesterol meds, high blood pressure meds and triglyceride meds. I am coming on here to tell you the mistakes I have made in the last 2 1/2 months that have brought me to tell you all this. I avoided some of the advice that we are given after surgery. For instance, no alcohol, I ate foods I probably shouldn't have before it was time to, etcetera. Why was I setting myself up to fail? I don't know why either. But please listen when I say there is a reason why there are rules after this surgery. Take them seriously. Now lets get to the constipation part. Actually my stool was impacted. And if you don't know what that is or how painful it is, count your blessings. I'm sure it all began right after surgery since you can't drink as much water right after surgery that you could before. Then I started drinking alcohol (a diuretic) about 1 month post op. I usually would drink a snifter of Grand Marnier almost every night because for some reason it made me feel like I wasn't giving up everything. Then I started eating soft foods before my doctor said it was ok because I got sick of only having protein shakes and soup broth. I would vomit if I ate too fast or too much so I slowly learned that lesson. But nothing could have prepared me for the constipation I have been experiencing since surgery. WARNING... HERE IS WHERE IT GETS GRAPHIC. Before surgery I was "regular", once or twice a day actually. Since surgery I have a bowel movement maybe every 3-4 days, sometimes longer. When I was able to go it would come out like grape sized rabbit turds. Then they started getting packed together making it a little harder to get out. But I'd sit on the toilet until it came out. Sometimes I would be in there for over 30 minutes, sweating and cramping until it was over. But today was the worse it has ever been. I felt like I had to have a bowel movement so I went upstairs prepared to stay in the bathroom for awhile. 45 minutes later....nothing. I knew I had to go but it felt like I was trying to pass a football and it was NOT going to come out without a fight. I came down and Googled "severe constipation". A lot of suggestions would only help AFTER whatever was in there came out. I was in so much pain I called the hospital and explained what was happening. They told me that it sounded as though I was "impacted" and I had two choices because at this stage the "plug" has got to I wish I wouldn't have taken his direction so lightly.

Thank you for sharing your experience. These are the posts that are so helpful to folks like me who want to be completely prepared for any post-op issues that may arise. I sincerely hope you are feeling better and that things are now "moving along nicely".

Yes, hemp is a high fiber complete Protein. The fiber will absorb moisture & carry it into the intestine. Chia gels to accomplish the same thing, and it's packed with micronutrients & antioxidants.

What phase after surgery did you start to use these? Would they both be mixable into Protein shakes or how would you suggest someone use them who is on liquids only?

Or does anybody have constipation while still on liquids? I have a fear of constipation after having the worst episode of my life about 6 months ago.

Thanks

What phase after surgery did you start to use these? Would they both be mixable into Protein shakes or how would you suggest someone use them who is on liquids only?

Thanks

Chia seeds you should be at least 6weeks post op before adding. I add 2 tbsp of chia to each of my Protein drinks.

Hemp is a powdering use it to make a protein smoothie with. My recipe changes a bit from time to time, but currently it is

4oz mango purée (Naked)

8oz coconut Water

4tbsp hemp protein (Nutiva 15g)

2tbsp Nectar® fuzzy navel

1tsp KyoGreen (optional) (also tastes horrible)

Ok, thank you for the information. I plan to be diligent about not getting constipated.