I was taking a stool softener but man does it make me sick to the point I can't have any food after I take it and we all know how painful going to the bathroom is now at least for me so any advice on what I can do to help me and not get sick!

Thank u all

When I have a bit of GI stuckage (made up that word) I use Ex-lax. It fixes the problem in about 6 hours and I really only need it a few times a year. Maybe a natural solution like increasing your Fiber may help if it is a continuous problem?

I'm not sure what phase your on her but I've learned that whey protein constipates me terribly. That's what the shakes and most bars are made of. If you get your protein from food as much as possible, it can help. Drinking water will too. And I use the Walgreens women's laxative. It works fast without too much discomfort. I'm sure the 'women's' part is a sales gimmick but they were on sale and they work.

I find that sugar alcohols keep me regular. I purchase sugar free Russell Stovers Peppermint patties and eat one an evening. 60cals and less than one net carb. I feel like I am getting a special treat.

Prunes.

Prunes.

I'll second this. I liked prunes before surgery so it was a no brainer for me to use them for this very reason. I also eat dried apricots and dried figs for a snack. My surgeon said it was better than stool softners because they do not leech Water from your body to keep you regular.

Prunes, apricots, and figs have the same amount of fiber BTW. So if you can't stand prunes, try one of the others.

I am so not looking forward to constipation after my surgery. From what I'm reading I'm afraid it is going to be like pooping a pine cone.

Only if you are lucky. Mine was like a passing pineapple.

MiraLax and Milk of Magnesia are my go to friends for this problem. I take daily stool softeners, but the MiraLax and MOM give me help if the softeners aren't quite doing the job.

I used to take the Metamucil free and clear (I think that's what it was called) when I was pregnant. Two spoonfuls mixed into my juice everyday solved my problems. It's slightly sweet but pretty much tasteless so it would probably mix well with water. If you need faster relief, magnesium citrate. You can find it in the grocery stores, drug stores, Target, Walmart, etc in the laxative aisle. It's Usually in a clear or green glass bottle. I think it may be carbonated so if you have already had the sleeve, you may want to let it get flat first. It's not a great taste but you drink it knowing that you will fee better in th near future.

Miralax also was my go to one dose every other day kept me regular, if I forgot oh man lol after year one I started adding more fruit and veggies and very rarely have to use miralax

Only if you are lucky. Mine was like a passing pineapple.

I second this is horrible :/

Thank you all I will try everything I had my sleeve on March 23rd so 3 months almost so is another thing to adjust to!!

Miralax never worked for me and I bought a ton of it pre-op in preparation for surgery. Dulcolax was my life saver. It only takes one pineapple and you will make sure you find what works for you. Trust me.

A lot of problems can be avoided by staying on top of your hydration and fiber. I'd recommend going with tasteless fiber additives that you can mix in with a food of your choice if plenty of water and prunes don't work. Even with laxatives/stool softeners, if you don't have adequate water, you can end up with a fecal impaction. I'm a nurse, so whenever a patient has constipation, I always address it in a specific order, and if it doesn't clear up, I move on to the next step: extra water ----> prune juice ----> metamucil ----> milk of magnesia

i know coffee is not a good thing to drink because of is acidic now i have a friend that had the surgery more than a year a go and she says she only drink coffee when she needs to go because it helps her anyone has tried coffee??