This is such a TMI topic I had to try a cute subject line.

Why oh why is constipation part of the plan for gastric bypass?

Is it because we can't eat veggies until two months post-op?

What happened in surgery that made it this way?

I'm really ready for this phase to be over!!!

Are we allowed to drink tea that helps that problem? Like Smooth Move?

I could try that. I even tried drinking some coffee (caffeine) to get things going.

I'm not supposed to have it for a couple more weeks. But I'm desperate .

Our group nutritionist gave us a list of things to do for constipation, she has worked with bariatric surgery patients for 26 years so I trust what she says.

-Drink 8 oz of Water and go for a walk

-Add Metamucil or Benefiber to your Protein shakes

-If in soft food phase eat 1/8 cup Bran Buds soaked in milk

-Baby food prunes when on pureed diet

-Over the counter stool softeners or

Smooth Move Tea, 1 cup every 12 hours until you poo, if no results Miralax

-If all else fails and you know you need to go Magnesium Citrate and stay close to a commode

Edited March 11, 201511 yr by goodnuff

Several months after surgery, I developed severe constipation. Nothing seemed to work other than shoving a glycerin suppository up my rear-end every 3 days. Something I definitely didn't want to do for the rest of my life. I finally found an easy cure that worked for me. It was eating an apple including the skin of the apple before I went to bed. (The skin is really important.) I have been constipation free for over a year now. I feel like reciting a jingle "An apple a day keeps the constipation away!"

My dr said you should definitely go every other day. She suggested Miralax in a shake or prune juice every day until we can get more natural fiber in our diet. I had gone almost a week. On day 6 I finally could go but I had been taking Miralax for three days straight before So who knows how long it would have gone on. I don't think this is a TMI subject. We are all going through this... So keep the scoop on poop talks coming. ????

My doctor told me to take milk of magnesia and it seems to work for me.

I drink smooth move tea about twice a week....keeps things moving for me :-)

Edited March 13, 201511 yr by skc72

Oh my gosh this is the worst part for me!!! I've NEVER had this problem. I take stool softners, benafiber, and Miralax. I'm miserable all the time. I stopped taking my iron. I don't like depending on things to help me go.

Constipation hasn't been an issue for me. My patient's handbook said to start Miralax on my third day post-op, so I did. Now, I take it every other day and have no problems.

My surgery is today and I'm worry of the opposite problem have to run to the bathroom often.

Honestly, this has been the absolute WORST problem/issue I've had w/my bypass surgery (almost 7 weeks post-op). I have a mini-OTC-pharmacy of fiber, laxatives, stool softeners, etc - ugh. After using Fleet enemas a couple of times (if ok w/your doc, highly recommended for fairly instant relief), I knew that I couldn't do that on a regular basis. Started w/stool softeners -- 2 every other day and stopped taking iron for a few days (also know this can't be a long-term solution). Then I started adding in half of my iron amount, and sure enough, got stopped-up again. Moved to 2 stool softeners every day and hoping/praying that works. As much water as I can drink, as well, which we need anyway... I don't think enough attention is paid to this issue, since I've spent (and I know others have as well...) time crying, straining, hemorroids bleeding (sorry if TMI), and nearly hyperventilating from straining -- it is a serious, can-be-debilitating issue. Just keep trying things until something works for you, and if it gets unbearable, keep bugging your doc/NUT.

Edited March 16, 201511 yr by della street

I am 6 days post op and all I have had are the runs. I am not anywhere there isn't a bathroom (that I would use) too far away. I don't start my vitamins until tomorrow and I am hoping that the iron will change this.

Miralax does not deplete the body of any nutrients. I had a few doctors tell me it is safe including my RYN doc. I am 3 months post op and use it often.