Constipation

[terry1118 1,274]

Tomorrow I'm going to use 1/2 tablespoon in 4 ounces of ice cold Water. I'll drink that before it gets too bad and then repeat it. That way I get the whole dose and don't end up with that mess today. It's not bad when it's cold!

That liquid stool softener almost had me throwing up tonight. I fought it and won but, man, that stuff tastes foul! I'm giving up on it and trying the Citracel tomorrow. I'll try it the way you just said.

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

You can add extra Water, just don't use too little water...also, stir often, it does settle sorry didn't think to tell you that tid bit before . I can usually get away with 1 or 2 colace every day or two...my dad lives by citracel....course, dads weird so......if things get really plugged I use Miralax (dissolved in hot tea, totally dissolves and can't taste it) HOWEVER that is not Baker approved, just something I've done for years and works for me so I can't recommend it good luck!!!

FYI for the first 8-10 weeks post op, a few hours before I pooped I'd get queasy sick and think I was going to throw up...plumbing and wiring are REALLY weird post op!!!!

HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 212

[Sparklette 381]

I take a dose of Milk of Mag about once a week to keep my BMs normal.

After the first week I was so constipated it literally felt like I was being ripped open. I took the milk o mag and about an hour later it was all good.

[Nel 189]

I have regular movements....it's just they are so PAINFUL. I really didn't expect to go into this much detail about my poo until I was much older. I'm hoping by working in more Fiber and continuing with the softeners....that maybe it will become something I don't DREAD quite so much. Right now I'm like...I have to go... and I sadly walk to the bathroom. It's horrifying.

[Jacqueline K 93]

I have regular movements....it's just they are so PAINFUL. I really didn't expect to go into this much detail about my poo until I was much older. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I'm hoping by working in more fiber and continuing with the softeners....that maybe it will become something I don't DREAD quite so much. Right now I'm like...I have to go...<img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> and I sadly walk to the bathroom. It's horrifying.

I have this feeling too. I go in the bathroom and I'm like please just let me need to pee. It hurts and like you I'm regular. I started taking a stool softener a few days ago but it looks like I may need to take more than 1 a day.

Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

[terry1118 1,274]

I know all doctors have different rules for us follow. I was told 'no pills or tablets' for 30 days. But I was told to take a stool softener daily, which ONLY comes in liquigels. I couldn't even find it in a crushable tablet form. Hence the vile foul liquid. Which is now making me sick. Last night I was trying to mask the foul taste so I mixed it with a little applesauce, which didn't help at all! Shortly afterward I started getting cold sweats, severe gas, light-headedness, and nausea. I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom but didn't. I sat there battling the gas and nausea for about 20 minutes, before the feeling began to slowly pass. I felt okay about an hour later. Doesn't that sound like 'dumping'? Could two teaspoons of liquid medicine and a tablespoon of applesauce make me 'dump'?

So many of you are allowed to take pills immediately post-op. Does anybody have any problems relating to the pills? I'm calling my doctor's office tomorrow about this issue. I really just want to take the liquigels, which worked great for me pre-op. :-(

[nagrin 6]

My doctor told me milk of magnesia, I took mint flavor 2 spoons if doesnt work in 4 hours take 2 spoons more.

[terry1118 1,274]

I'll ask about the milk of magnesia tomorrow morning. :-) The whole idea of any bowel trouble freaks me out...

[Nel 189]

See, and this seems like a lot of trouble for you. Different doctors different rules. I took a full pain pill 2 days after surgery. I was sent home taking pills. No crushing or dissolving. I did dissolve some of the pain pills just because they worked quicker.

[terry1118 1,274]

See' date=' and this seems like a lot of trouble for you. Different doctors different rules. I took a full pain pill 2 days after surgery. I was sent home taking pills. No crushing or dissolving. I did dissolve some of the pain pills just because they worked quicker.[/quote']

This one thing is becoming a lot of trouble for me, as you say. I will ask my team tomorrow, what the reasoning is behind this rule.

When I joined here I saw that there were differences in programs and I understand that. It's not about right or wrong, it's just different (although a doctor may have reasons for why he has certain orders) and we all need to trust our own teams. I chose my doctor so I feel I need to try my best to follow his instructions. So I will talk to them tomorrow.

Everything I read here gives me insight. I helps me understand different aspects of the process. And input from others here definitely makes me think. In the end, though I ask for input, I am a rule-follower and will follow up with my team. :-)

[Nel 189]

exactly as it should be.

[terry1118 1,274]

Ended up going to see the NP today for a stubborn itchy rash that's been plaguing me. Since I was there I discussed my other issues with her. I can take Miralax for now. After 30 days I'm to take 2-4 stool softener liquigels daily, forever. She gave me some Protein tips, too. She says I'm doing great and incisions look great. Now if only this damn rash would clear up...

[terry1118 1,274]

Oh yeah. When I told her I tried the stool softener liquid from the drugstore she told me to dump it out. She said it works, but it's the worst-tasting stuff EVER. :-) :-)

[Dorian 683]

I had my surgery 5/30. Had bm a few days after' date=' loose, but I'd rather have it that way, as I tend to be constipated. Everything was good all week but today I'm... constipated. I got very nervous because I'm not supposed to strain. I'm supposed to take stool softener but I can't have pills that can't be crushed for a whole month. All the stool softeners at the drugstore were liquigels. I talked to the pharmacist and they had a liquid I could take that they keep behind the counter that doesn't require a script. Best yet it was 1.75 for thirty days worth. I'm hoping it'll do the trick. But is it NASTY! :-p. I'm going to try it in applesauce next time.

Anyone have any tips to avoid it after I'm healed? I don't want to take something every time...[/quote']

I take a generic laxative every three days or so. You know the "gentle, overnight relief" kind. Works wonders for me. I take vicodin daily so that really constipates.

[terry1118 1,274]

I take a generic laxative every three days or so. You know the "gentle, overnight relief" kind. Works wonders for me. I take vicodin daily so that really constipates.

Thanks Dorian. I had an appointment with my nutritionist today and was discussing this with her too. Between the Iron, high Protein focus w/less fiber, and hypothyroidism I will always be battling Constipation. I'm sure I'll be using anything that offers relief in the future.