Hello I've been a member of this site for a while now, since I started looking into having VGS. I have been lurking around reading and earning so much. You have all helped with my decision, when I finally decided to go ahead with the surgery with all the valuable information you share with amongst each other and offer support when someone is in need. After deliberating for over 2 years I decided I wanted to get the surgery.

I had my surgery on 11th June and so far I have had a perfect recovery. I prepared myself for the worst and was pleasantly surprised.

All was going well until day 6 and have been struck with the worst case of constipation I have ever known.

My problem is I'm too afraid to go as I think if I strain too much ( I know sorry TMI) and cause a leak in my new stomach.I have been taking Lactulose twice a day as prescribed by my doc.

Can anyone tell me, do you use your stomach muscles for a BM?

Can constipation cause a leak?

I had the same issue! Drink some Smooth Move tea. You can get Smooth Move in the tea section at most grocery stores or Wal-mart. Tastes pretty good. It will clear you right out within about 8 hours. That is what I did for about a month when I would get constipated. Now I am 4 months out and I take a Probiotic daily which helps tremendously. I hope you feel better soon!

I've had the same problem ever since I went to a low carb high protein diet. I'm still pre-op so I'm taking Metamucil. I'll have to adjust my strategy for post-op. I take probiotics daily but the problem persists.

Unfortunately chronic constipation is a very common condition post-op. I never really cured it during my losing phase, but I was able to manage it with Smooth Move, Mira-Lax, and Milk of Magnesia on rotation and Colace every day. I also took daily probiotics and ate yogurt every day, but I'm not sure if they had any effect.

Now that I'm in maintenance and my intake of fruits has increased, my constipation is becoming less of a problem.

It does take a while after surgery for everything to get back to "normal", my constipation has horrible for several months (on & off). My doctor told me I could take Mira-Lax as needed - I will mix it in my Water or Protein shakes. If I needed more immediate relief (can you say desperation?), I would take Milk of Magnesia. I even used suppositories a few times, which was suggested on this board.

Mine seemed to get better once I was able to work some veggies back into my diet or other sources of Fiber. Remember to drink as much water as you can, that will help. Last thing you want is to have to go to the ER because you're impacted

Good luck & hang in there!

you cant cause a leak in your stomach by using your abs to help with a bowel movement. they dont have anything to do with each other. lactulose is good for long term prevention but not for releif. you may want to use a gentle laxative like colace with a stool softener.

Thank you all for your support and advise, I have taken it all on board. And it looks like Smooth Move tea is the way to go and I will increase my probiotic to daily. Hopefully that will work.

@@Stevehud your response is music to my ears. That is exactly what I have been wanting to know. I've been googling for answers all day without any succeeds. Should have known to come on here first. Thank you so much you just made my day.

I had my surgery on June 11th too! And had a BM 5 days later. It was not easy but I was happy to have it, ha. I started taking 2-3 stool softeners a day once I got home from the hospital. If you don't have a BM within a week of surgery they recommended a suppository. Not fun, I know.

@@meowmers we made it through our first week, yayyyyy. You were right about the suppository, I feel so much better know. Wish I was prepared for it as well as you were in the first week.

Sitting here right now in major discomfort I'm worried I'm impacted! I gave birth to my 10 lb son easier than this!! Crazy

I used a suppository after I came home from the hospital. It had been 5 days since a BM. That was the quickest way to get things moving. After that I add benefiber to each protein shake. Works well for me, no issues as long as I get some fiber.

impacted, meh youd know it. i know i have standing orders from my surgeon, if i go 5 days and a laxative wont help. welcome ye old fleet enema. not the most pleasant thing, but when you use it, dont stray too far from the bathroom.

Used a suppository a little while ago. Hoping things move quickly. My sons graduation is tonight. Can't sit through it like this

@@HappyLoserr glad it worked out! What a whirlwind of a week.

Success this am! Scary endeavour though!!