I am 19 days post op and I haven't had any bm for two weeks. What do you all take? Milk of magnesia? I've only had about 1/2 cup food since surgery besides protein. So technically I really don't have anything to poop right? Sorry I'm so confused.

19 days post op without any BM is too long in my opinion. I had surgery on a Tuesday and my dr said If I hadn't gone by Saturday that I should take something to get things moving. There's a chance your bowels might be impacted at this point. You should let your doc know that you still haven't gone ASAP.

Edited February 21, 201511 yr by sunflowerchild

Milk of magnesia, smooth move tea, and miralax are my usual go to remedies. 2 weeks without a bm is a bit too long. I hope something gives soon!

Thanks... I haven't even thought of it. I had bm the first week but I haven't since. I'll take something in the am. What about a glycerin suppository ?

I would add some benefiber (or other clear fiber) to your diet and maybe some miralax or sennekot. Miralax is probably the most gentle option, but it will take a few days to work. From what I've noticed so far, your bowels will never be the same again, but you will approach something normal. I go about once every other day at 1 month postop

19 days post op without any BM is too long in my opinion. I had surgery on a Tuesday and my dr said If I hadn't gone by Saturday that I should take something to get things moving. There's a chance your bowels might be impacted at this point. You should let your doc know that you still haven't gone ASAP.

Couldn't agree more!!

TMI alert - I am 3 months postop. Earlier on I had real constipation issues like many surgery patients. It got pretty bad and I had to take milk of magnesia (full dose x 2), and Ducolax to get things going. I almost waited too long. Don't let this go. I am straightened out now and go every few days. Even if you aren't eating much your body still has some waste. I take Miralax every morning in my breakfast shake. Miralax keeps thing going better than breaking up a blockage. Hope this info helps. Good luck and talk to your dr.

This was a real problem for me too at first... I tried so many things, ex-lax, miralax, milk of magnesia, taking a stool softener once a day (then twice a day), I used suppositories, and even enemas at times I was so dang stopped up for the first 2 months!! Then I discovered Smooth Move tea. It is sold at just regular grocery stores in the tea aisle. I now drink a cup about twice a week if I need to and me and my movements are much happier Get some, save yourself the research... I already did it for you. Trust me on this. LOL

I totally agree with @Goodlife1206. Don't wait until you get blocked up. I hadn't had a BM in over a week a few days ago, and I was absolutely MISERABLE! I felt so bad that I just wanted to cry.

***TMI ALERT*** Mine was so bad that I had the urge to go but every time I went to the bathroom nothing would come out, but when I wiped myself, I could feel the largest and hardest lump right underneath my skin. It finally got to the point where I went to CVS and bought a Fleet Enema. I hate those things, but I just couldn't take the back up any longer.

Start now with some Smooth Move Tea, Miralax, or some other stool softener. Please, please, please don't wait until you get as miserable as I was.

This happened to me about 3 weeks post op. It was horrible. I thought it was ok bc I wasn't taking in much of anything. I put miralax 2 x a day in something I was drinking. Miralax is slower to work but it will work and it doesn't cause any cramping. It took about 3 days. I hope you get some relief soon.

Im 7 weeks out and only go once 5-7 days, I'm trying milk of magnesia but I find it gives me bad cramps, I only take a teaspoon but doesn't work if I take one and a half nothing. I took two and bad stomach pains. Anyone els know what els I can do ??? I also have all my protein and try to increase my fiber, also I have IBS so don't know if that has anything to do with it HELP !!!

I've gotten to the stage that I take 2 dulcoease and 2 dulcolax each evening - I tend to find that if my body needs to release it does in the morning and no cramping...

I have this real bad today, I tried 2 suppositories, 2 shots of milk of magnesia and 2 dulcolax tabs plus an enema and I'm hunched over in pain should I go to the ER?

I would go - don't delay

I would go to the er if I was in pain. I've been doing milk of magnesia for two days now. I feel action in the gut and gas but still no bm.

Make sure you check with your surgeon regarding which products you are allowed to use. Sennakote is one he does not let me use. Pepto Bismol is another.

You should call him/his office to let him know that you have not gone in 2 weeks.

For the poster asking about going to the ER try calling your doctor's office first. Hopefully you have a 24 hour nursing line and they should have recommendations. They will know the preferred drugs etc.. for post bariatric surgery. If you can't get a hold of the office in a reasonable time I would go to an Urgent Care first choice and the ER second choice.

Some insurance companies also have a 24 hour nurse hot line. Mine does.