I am getting a little personal, but how often are you having a bowel movement? I used to go every day and since the surgery (4 weeks out) I've noticed I've been going every two-three days and when I do go I feel like it wasn't, well, everything. I don't like laxatives ( they're a little too intense for me) so I'm wondering what everyone is doing if they have noticed constipation since their surgery? Should I have a Jamie Lee Curtis yogurt lol? Probiotics? Thanks or the advice (and sorry if I was too blunt lol)!

if you're on an Iron supplement, it binds you up.

I go less frequently, and it is not easy. I've done stool softeners. I asked the NUT what was allowed before I just stuck something in my sleeve. Remember you've been on a modified diet - less Fiber, esp if you were on liquids.

Kathy

if you're on an Iron supplement' date=' it binds you up.

I go less frequently, and it is not easy. I've done stool softeners. I asked the NUT what was allowed before I just stuck something in my sleeve. Remember you've been on a modified diet - less fiber, esp if you were on liquids.

Kathy[/quote']

I'm currently on chewable Flinstones 3x a day

I'm on my puréed diet currently and I've been trying to increase my fiber with puréed refried Beans, black bean chili, etc and drinking throughout the day.

I asked the NUT, because I tend to get constipated every time I diet. She said Metamucil.

I asked the NUT' date=' because I tend to get constipated every time I diet. She said Metamucil.[/quote']

Thank you! :-)

You also have to remember you aren't taking in as much as pre op. My PA said if I don't feel like I need to go not to worry, if I feel like it was incomplete or there and not coming out than miralax.

I was going 3x daily during my liquids but when I went to puree I stopped going! I went 4 days without going so I try milk of magnesia because that's what it said in my packet. Well, it did NOTHING! So I decided to get fiber chewables to help each day and I got prune juice last night because that was another option my surgeon gave me. I drank 1/2 cup at room temperature at my own pace and I went within an hour and a half and it completely cleaned me out without cramps. I got the "healthiest" prune juice I could find and was a little put off by the carbs but I needed to go that day and I was scared of laxatives because of my sensitive stomach. I now keep prune juice in the fridge for emergencies but I am trying to keep things going by eating more fiber purees and taking fiber chewables. I'll see if it works!

I didn't go for a week post op and I needed a couple of stool softeners (just the generic ones). Since the 2nd week (I'm now 7 1/2 weeks out) I've been going daily without problems. Sometimes 2-3 x a day. Occasionally it's diarrhea (aren't u sorry u asked now?!) especially when I've eaten the wrong things (like ice cream). Haven't had a stool softener since a week out.

Good luck to u!

Several times a week, not every day. I tried Colace once right after surgery and it gave me such bad cramps that I will never take that again! My doctor told me that as long as I was not having abdominal pain or bloating from being constipated that I should just let my body do its own thing, and that is what I have done. She said not to expect to go every day because of the low volume of food that I am eating now. I never go more than three days without a BM, so I never feel uncomfortable, and I do not take any laxatives or anything.

Three weeks post surgery, and I finally went yesterday for the first time.

Three weeks post surgery' date=' and I finally went yesterday for the first time.[/quote']

Wow! Okay so the general consensus is that not going everyday seems to be a pattern for a lot of us.

I remember Dr. Oz saying on an Oprah episode years ago that anything from 3x weekly to 3x a day is considered to be within a "normal range"...while that still seems like a generous range for normal, when you realize that is for the "non-sleeved" population, not going every day is not just "ok" for us, it is common within the larger population.

I never went every day Pre-op; more like every couple or three days (which my hubby thought was really weird, he's like freakin' clockwork). Since the surgery (I'm almost 4 months out) I'm all over the map in frequency, and it's either waaaay loose or I'm bound up! Can't win for tryin'.

Some of the other posters have recommended a product called AloeLax; also kiwi fruit, warm tea & lemon, and the stuff already mentioned in this thread. I think it's basically trial & error to find what works for you.