I just started to become constipated on the preop diet day 5. Today it's worse. Since I'm limited to what I can do are there any suggestions? I would hate to start to take meds now unless I absolutely have to so wondering if anyone has an old remedy that would be consistent with my diet

Welcome to the (almost)banded life. I don't think any bandsters ever poop "normally" after surgery. Ask your bariatric practice what they recommend; they've seen this before so don't be shy!

How about prune juice? That's a drug free old remedy to get things moving again.

Some shakes don't agree with me -- for instance a lot of dairy or soy can be binding. Not sure what your pre-op consists of......good to check in with your doctor. Post-surgery constipation can be an issue, too, so good to sort this out. Even though I didn't use pain medication (notoriously constipating, those narcotics) I still had difficulties just from the anasthesia and ended up having to take Milk of Magnesia day four or so. Love the prune juice idea. I chew up a prune here and there to help keep regular, plus chia seeds in my yogurt, etc.

Pureed prunes, prune juice, or raisins ALWAYS work for me.

Sufficient quantities of raw unfiltered apple cider will work amazingly well for a flush as well.

To maintain the normal peristaltic wave of the digestive apparatus, we need both Fluid and non-soluble Fiber.

For me, the Holy Shredded Wheat or similar clone thereof, is more efficient over nearly a half century, including a decade of postOp Bandster Life. And yes, I have a regular Bowel Habit that is very similar to preOp function.

In my 32 year practice it was very rare the patient who didn't respond very well to a few basic physiologic necessities, without meds or OTC remedies.

Even with my own experience as guide, my postOp first FIVE DAYS without a BM was a epic study in need for close attention to the basics.

Combination of delayed effects of surgical sedation and postOp narcotics created an incrementally daily increasingly monumental issue of concern. A couple days of 'prune juice therapy' of 6 oz qid finally produced the desired results. Day 6, without that relief, I probably would have visited ER.

If you are having issues with transit time of your dietary intake, better attend to normalizing it soon.

There's wide ranges of variables between peoples response to changes in their 'normal' diet. It may well take a professional to help restore your function. Don't be shy in seeking help.

I don't think that I can have prune juice on my pre op unfortunately. I have never had these issues before.

@briefs maybe just a suggestion a small salad with some beans in it to make it slide on out or just take some ex lax not a lot though , hopefully you can just get things moving along oh & drink LOTS of WATER .

Thanks everyone. I am going to up my Water intake while on pre op. I think this weekend I was slacking on water if I was honest with myself.

If it happens again I will take miralax. After surgery these are all excellent suggestions re Beans and prune juice. Will write them down.

I don't think that I can have prune juice on my pre op unfortunately. I have never had these issues before.

Ask your Nutritionist to be sure. You'd be surprised what you *can* have if you ask them. But yeah ... increasing Water intake helps too.

Good luck!

My daughter is an RN and worked on the floor for awhile. She says warm prune juice and Dr Pepper works for patients in the hospital. Just a small cup a few times. Worth a try.