I've been battling constipation for over four months now, as long as I've been sleeved. I worry about the ongoing use of laxatives, but nothing else works. I've tried prunes (hate the sugar and carbs), and adding a probiotic and benefiber. My doctor's instructions require two multi vitamins a day so I think the iron is a factor, and I take 1200 mg of calcium. I never had any issues before surgery and this unrelenting constipation gets me down. For those with more time into this process, my question is will this ever get better and when did it get better?

I do not endorse or make any money off of this at all...but...you really should get a squatting potty...oh and bla bla miralx and yogurts and lots of that other crap too

I'm vegetarian so that probably plays a part but I have never been constipated. My doc had us on stool softners from day 1 post op. If you think the extra Iron is the culprit, make sure to increase your Water. I would also try adding something like psyllium powder daily in addition to regular doses of prunes or prune juice. If you are eating an otherwise balanced diet, the added carbs/sugar are not going to hurt. My carbs fluctuate between 50 - 70 a day and I've been losing regularly.

When you've got constipation you have to clear it all out before trying to prevent it. Enema or colonic irrigation seem to work best. Once it's all been cleared out you can work on preventing it from happening again by adding more fibre, having a small amount of prune juice everyday etc.

(Obviously consult your doctor before doing such things)

Best of luck!

I a month post-op today and I am constipated badly this why I am up so much pain and discomfort this really sucks I need to get something to help me go I never had this issue before and oh I hope it gets better!!!!

Nope I am over a year out from surgery and I still have it.

I use a stool softener everyday, every three days I take 2. This has seemed to help as I have been doing this for about one month now and have not had an issue since starting. Before I started a used some suppositories. After I was cleared out, I started on the stool softeners. I would rather take those than a laxative everyday. There are less side effects with stool softeners than with a laxative.

I was constipated for about six months. I was taking amatiza and colace which helped a little bit. Until I upped my fiber through fruit and veggies, I became somewhat regular. It is also very important to keep yourself hydrated. I will be a year out next months and I think I have overcome this issue. I started eating kale chips which are very high in fiber and macro nutrients. I eat the alive and radiant brand found at Whole Foods. I attribute my current regularity to these chips. I eat one bag 4 oz a day.

I've also started taking a stool softener everyday. Constipation has been the only negative for me so far at seven weeks out. But definitely not a deal breaker! ????

Calm, which is magnesium citrate, every couple days and stool softener daily.

When I was having this problem, my NUT said to do Miralax in juice every morning and stool softener every night. Worked like a charm! I stopped the Miralax 3 weeks ago, and now I only "go" once a week! Think I'll go back on the Miralax!

I've noticed the protein shakes constipate me. If I drink two a day, I get stopped up. If I drink one a day, I have a little harder time but it's bearable. Whey can be binding. Add that to iron and it can be an issue. Laxatives are the only thing that work if I drink a lot of shakes too. So, if you're taking in a lot of whey in shakes or bars or anything, that could be it.

7 months still an issue. Uncomfortable