Issue with very irregular bowel movements

[mbrinmn 105]

I was sleeved almost 3 weeks ago, but have only had two good bowel movements in the time I've been home. The first was painful because it seemed like it was long over due. The second was fairly normal. For both I found it necessary to use laxatives to initiate them. I'm eating a ton of Benefiber and taking a probiotic. I also started eating the new Chobani Greek yogurt with oats in it...it's fabulous. But still no regular bowel movement this week. Can anyone give me some frame of reference for when I might expect normal bowel activity without the use of laxatives? I know each case is different depending on the individual, but I'd really like some insight to this dilemma.

[thesuse2000 698]

I've been using Miralax to stay regular - about half the recommended dose almost every day. I skip about every third day. I've wondered how long I'll need this too, not sure. But it helps for now. Hopefully I can slowly wean off.

[mbrinmn 105]

I will definitely try the Miralax since the Benefiber just doesn't seem to be working. Thank you so much for your feedback!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

It's not clear yet in my case. Sometimes I'm "normal" (go every other day). Sometimes I'm more constipated. Following these times, a few times I've had urgent (and I mean urgent!) diarrhea!

I can see that after I started eating pureed and soft foods I have become less regular. I suspect it's because I need to ramp up my waters.

I'm not using any "aids."

[Jersrose43 837]

Am at 10 weeks out. And mostly it's been once a week.

I started with the prune juice. Usually about 4-6 ounces and 4-6 ounce Water combo did the trick by next morning. Tasty it was not.

At about 4 weeks out it started not to prove so effective. I moved to Phillips milk of magnesia. I take a couple tablespoons at night and by 10 am it's out.

My mom suggested activia and I did that for the last 10 days. Well I think that is my new go to. Because I have one activia every other day and it makes me move every other day.

It's great. Let's see if I can keep at it.

[JakeLancaster 36]

Does anyone know why WLS patients have this problem? I had the same issues when I had my band and am wondering why this is. Is it due to the small amounts of food we eat? or is there a medical/physical reason for this?

[Rovobay 920]

5 days out and I have had no urge to go. just some gas. I image that it is because of the lack of substance to process. hope it is not a problem for you much longer....

[Jersrose43 837]

I think it's the Protein rich low fat low Fiber.

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

I wasn't very regular before surgery and since surgery it's even worse. I don't feel all bound up. I go about once a week and I am three weeks post op. When I do go it's very little. My nutritionists said I don't need to add any Fiber supplements at this time. She said to contact her if I start to feel like I have to go but can't. So I am grateful at least I don't have to run to the rest room.

[angelicHG7 118]

I had the GB 7 days ago and I am the complete opposite. I never passed gas or had a BM in the 3 days I was in the hospital but on the 4th day at home... All the liquids I had been drinking started being released. Now I am in the bathroom after every drink.... It's never a lot, it seems like the amount that I drink. I have not used any aids.... It just happens.

[mbrinmn 105]

All really great feedback. I am going to try Activia because I love yogurt anyway. Have an appt. with a nutritionist in two weeks...crazy, here in Minneapolis/St. Paul, one of the larger health groups has only two nutritionists working limited office hours at only two different hospitals. But I needed a recommendation from my doctor so of course she recommended within the same care system.

I am also going to try juicing. I urge everyone to watch the movie Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead. It's a documentary by Joe Cross. It will change the whole way you look at foods and juice. AMAZING!! Watched it in the hospital during my recovery day after a nurse told me about it. It's on Netflix and you can also rent it via iTunes.

[angelicHG7 118]

I am also going to try juicing. I urge everyone to watch the movie Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead. It's a documentary by Joe Cross. It will change the whole way you look at foods and juice. AMAZING!! Watched it in the hospital during my recovery day after a nurse told me about it. It's on Netflix and you can also rent it via iTunes.

I saw that months before I started this process... I agree that it's great. However, I don't think it's great for newly post-ops with any WLS because we need to focus more on Protein.

[Rovobay 920]

@@mbrinmn I watched that a few years ago and was motivated (for a while) and lost around 30#. I am thankful I have both a great juicer and a vitamix that will really help me through these post-op diet stages.

[Healthy for Life 11]

My doctor said the Protein Shakes stop you up. A few days after going to my normal food, I was able to had a BM without milk of magnesia which is a life saver by the way! I now eat fat free refried Beans at least once every other day and that seems to help me.

[madwife2002 110]

I have just bought some Flax seeds and I am putting in my Cereal in a morning-I will let you all know if it works