Constipation

[kittykatja85 34]

Okay time to be gross. I've had a couple small bowel movements since the surgery on 9/14. But as of today it's been 6 days with only tiny little bits coming out. I have tried milk of magnesia, a glycerin suppository, Miralax and a mineral oil enema. My last resort before going to the ER (I'm hesitant because I work there and I don't want my friends pulling poop out of me) is to get some magnesium citrate and some gloves. Do we think this will help? I'm going insane.

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[Januarybrothers 0]

First CONGRATS on your accomplishment. It's been 4 years since my surgery but if I remember correctly, I was a while before my first BM because of the liquids. I'd suggest not to worry or stress about it & just let it happen when it does, you'll be fine!!!

[goplay94123 576]

I didn't have one really for close to 3 weeks. I would recommend also getting a squatter potty to keep things aligned. It helped me Good luck!

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[kmorri 1,689]

^{I agree with the other posters....don't worry unless you are experiencing discomfort....remember you have very limited food intake and probably only liquids at this point....little in = little out.}

If you're uncomfortable then you should contact your doctor for advice on what should be done. Good luck to you and congrats on your surgery!

[Utleyshair 4]

I'm 4 weeks and on soft foods and having same issue. I'm thinking of getting something to "help" things along too???

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[kittykatja85 34]

I would definitely look into it. My Dr's head nurse said to not go a week without trying Milk of Magnesa

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[Utleyshair 4]

A little colace with stimulant worked:-)

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[theantichick 2,204]

My surgeon said it's not unusual to go 5 or 6 days without, especially while on liquids. She recommended if I had issues to start with the least "harsh" methods - Fiber daily, then stool softeners and then MOM. She said if that didn't work and I was having discomfort to try some sennas or mag citrate. You may want to check with your surgeon to see what s/he recommends - some don't like using the sennas, some aren't big on magnesium.

As a former ER nurse, I can tell you that mag citrate is VERY VERY VERY effective. One ER I worked at, we wouldn't even give it there because the patient would be stuck in our bathroom for hours. We'd give it to them to take at home with instructions not to get very far from a bathroom because it WORKS.

I have IBS so I have a routine whenever I get constipated. I will usually take a hefty dose of colace and follow it with a hefty dose of magnesium (I use the pills, can't stand the liquid MOM). If that doesn't work within about 12 hours, I'll take a hefty dose of sennas with another dose of colace. I haven't had that fail yet. And by "hefty dose" I mean the top of the range given on the label. I also try to always take Fiber pills, but couldn't swallow my big pills until recently (I'm 7 weeks out) and kept forgetting to get the stuff to mix with juice. Plenty of fiber and lots and lots of Water usually keep me pretty regular even with the IBS.

[higher 966]

At 3 months out a daily probiotic and stool softener have kept me on track with this. Definitely had a few painful moments early on. Adding in small amounts of fruits and veggies helps too, but I don't get those in daily.

[breuxo 78]

it has been two weeks for me, i took some stuff yesterday to help me go and nothing, i've been taking a stool softener daily since surgery 3 weeks ago. i don't feel like i have to go. but 2 weeks is an awfully long time. im unsure what else to try none of it is working!

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[cuteNATL 93]

At 3 months out a daily probiotic and stool softener have kept me on track with this. Definitely had a few painful moments early on. Adding in small amounts of fruits and veggies helps too, but I don't get those in daily.

@@higher Thanks for posting this. I have had a couple of painful moments and I'm only 3 weeks end. I can't live like this so thanks for giving us some helpful information!

[higher 966]

@@cuteNATL heh, no problem. Constipation seems to be a near universal problem for us WLS patients.

The probiotic I've been taking is culturelle - my GI doc said it is the most well studied and effective probiotic on the market. I take it in the morning and then take the softener before bed.

Ideally I won't have to take anything, but I'm only 3 months out and haven't been able to squeeze in many fruits and veggies yet. I think those would make all the difference.

[theantichick 2,204]

I just saw my doc for meds refills (and got off my BP meds, yay!!) I mentioned the ongoing issue with Constipation, which has been getting worse the last couple of weeks. She gave me a "prescription" for "Fiber applesauce" which she says works like magic for most of her patients. She doesn't like me having to take stool softeners and laxatives as often as I'm having to do it right now.

I'm not watching carbs, those who are may find this too high to use, but I thought I'd share. And you're only taking 2T of it, so the carbs may not be bad, dunno.

1 C. applesauce

1 C. unprocessed bran

1/2 C. prune juice

Mix and refrigerate, take 2 Tbsp daily WITH 8 oz of Water.

I can see where it would work. I stopped and got the ingredients on the way home, will report back on how it tastes and how it works.