Anyone else having issues with this? I just had my surgery in November and can't go without a laxative (sorry probably TMI). Does anyone have suggestions other than laxatives?

I stubble with this too. I have been trying to get more Fiber. Sometimes all goes well, sometimes not so much. I'm so scared of overdoing it with fiber supplements or laxatives that I have to run to the bathroom. I really should probably take more than I do. Best of luck.

Many people swear by Smooth Move tea. It can be found at Walmart.

I'm almost 9 months post-op, prior to surgery I had issues the other way but since I have had to take 2 stool softeners (docusate sodium) every morning, Benefiber twice a day and 2-4 prunes/day. I'm happily quite regular usually but every few weeks-months I need to take a half dose of Miralax. This is all based on my surgeon's recommendation. I've recently become a fan of using the Squatty Potty position with an upside down garbage can. Good luck.

My doctor started me on a 30 day course of colace on day 1. I went day 5 and have been regular ever since. For low cal natural fiber try adding a tsp of flax powder, pysilium powder or even wheat germ to your food each day. Make sure to hit that Fluid goal daily since good fiber needs Water to work best.

I am 14 months post op and still have the post op poops! LOL, love the title.

I have to take stool softener with laxatives twice a day to be able to go.

Before surgery I swear I had irritable bowel syndrome because I was always having to run literally to the bathroom. At first when constipation set in I thought, this is cool, I don't have to run to the bathroom all the time.

Now, I almost wish I had those days back. I am always constipated and it sucks when you cannot go. I get plenty of fiber and drink tons of Water. Part of my issue is I am currently on pain killers for a spine issue so I am certain that don't help.

I think your pre-op bowel situation plays a part in things as well. Pre-op I was regular as clockwork. I went easily 2 - 3 times a day. Since other than the increased Protein I am pretty much eating what I ate pre-op my body has reverted back to normal.

You might try magnesium supplements. However, if I don't do laxatives once a week then I can go weeks without a BM. And when I do finally have one my entire digestives feels like it's cramping. I then usually have to throw up at the same time I'm on the pot. But laxatives once a week makes it so that it doesn't hurt like that.

it seems like the vast majority of post-op patients have that problem. You'll have to experiment with different remedies and combos of remedies to find one that works for you. For the last three months, I've taken Benefiber twice a day, 800 mg of magnesium citrate every day (400 mg in the morning, 400 mg at dinner), and a cupful of Miralax twice a week whether I need it or not. Haven't had any problems since.

I suffer from Chronic Idopathic Constipation (CIC). I was worried about all the Protein and Calcium I would be taking after surgery and knew this would only compound my problem. No amount of laxitives or supplements would help me. Even drinking a bottle of magnesium citrate wouldn't make of a difference. My regular doctor prescribed Linzess. This medication is a god-send. My surgeon and his office were aware of me taking the drug before surgery and after and have no problems with it. Now, I will say that it is a new drug and my insurance company has given a little push back, but I'm still taking it.

Now that I've had my colonoscopy and the doctor saw the results of my CIC, it should convince my insurance company that I need to have this drug.

There is one downside to Linzess. You will have diarreah at times. For me, this little issue is not an issue.

UGH! YESSSS!!! I hate the constipation. I'm using Colace stool softeners now. If I forget....OWIEEE!!

Been there. Rarely do I have painful poops, but I've noticed that I generally poop every other day. Prior to surgery I was clockwork, these days not so much. In the early days I'd go days without pooping no would be scared To go. Now I know that it'll happen every other day. Occasionally daily.

Thanks for all the feedback. This is the only part of the surgery I am having trouble with so I can't complain.

I am so glad I'm not the only one with these issues. I am 6 months out from VSG and man, I'm just starting to heal. My doctor didn't mention this particular side effect, so I had no idea! After about 7-10 days of no BM, I took a laxative and it hurt SO bad I ended up with not 1, but 2 fissures. It has taken 5.5 months for them to heal and I'm happy to say I finally had a non-bloody painful BM yesterday. What I do:

800mg Chelated Magnesium (Chelated helps it absorb faster for our small stomachs)

1 colace softener with Breakfast and 1 with dinner

3 Fiber gummies a day

2 probiotics(13 billion cultures)

Added in a serving or two of whole grains

Increased Water

Minimal cheese

No Protein shakes

No pain killers ever

Added chia and flax to my breakfast daily

Cacao nibs for extra magnesium

It sucks without the shakes trying to keep calories low and carbs low, but honestly they were like concrete in my intestines.

Edited December 14, 201510 yr by rgodfrey09

I had my surgery on Nov. 9th and the first poo was insanely painful and I thought I was going to die pushing that Boulder out! lol since then though, I've been taking a daily probiotic and haven't had any issues. I usually have an every other day pattern now, but it's not hard or painful at all.

First time no problems, and after that i didnt have a bowel movement i took milk of magnesium for two days and everything came out great but i A LOT of blood in my stool for like 4 days. So i have not tried milk of magnesium again. Surgery Nov 9