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When does constipation ease up



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I'm in week 4 since my surgery. Never had a problem with Constipation before. It's been an issue for the past two weeks. I've tried many different approaches to no avail. I currently care mor about constipation than losing weight. For those who had a similar experience, did it ease up once you got past purée foods?

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You are not going to like my answer and maybe things are different because you are a sleeve patient and I am a RNY patient but I have been dealing with Constipation issues since my surgery two years ago. Prior to surgery I never experienced it, I always had the other problem.

Anyway, about 10 months ago, my gastroenterologist put me in Linzess and it works fantastic. You might give your surgeon a call and let them know that your constipation is bad.

Also, are you still on pain meds? that can make it even worse.

best of luck to you!

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I also had the back door trots before my RNY. Now it can be the other way too. I hesitate to take anything for either because it goes the opposite way. From back from back door trots to being constipated. But I can tell you something that I learned while working with the elderly. Take dried prunes cover them with Water steep them until they are soft. Eat a few and drink some of the warm juice. YOU WILL GO! It might give you lots of gas too. But it will be so worth it in the long run.

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Constipation is one of the most common side effects of weight loss surgery (well, with the exception of DS - I think many DS'ers have the opposite problem). I think it has more to do with the diet and supplements than the surgery. High Protein, low carb (meaning low fiber), Iron and Calcium supplements all factor in.

I take magnesium capsules and Benefiber every day and take Miralax a couple of times a week whether I need it or not. Some people take Miralax every day. Others find relief with things like Smooth Move Tea. Some take Colace every day. You just have to experiment with different treatments and combos of treatments to see what works for you. But definitely keep on top of it so you won't get really backed up and be miserable!!

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I'm 13 weeks out. Supposedly it should get better once you add vegetables and Fiber back into your diet. I've only just been clear for vegetables, but just a small amount vs Protein. So far I really haven't seen much improvement. It seems I have a teeny tiny BM every five days or so. And that is usually helped with dulcolox. ugh. I almost recjoice afterwards. I can almost guarantee a weight loss the next day. :)

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Magnesium citrate is a supplement available in the Vitamin aisle. Magnesium acts as a natural stool softener, whereas Fiber is a bulking agent in stools. If I take fiber when I am constipated, it's a sure fire way to end up feeling constipated with large BMs that are painful to pass.

The fiber in the Protein drinks on my preop led me to research what I could do for relief, since taking senna laxatives never produced the desired effect. At a regular dosage, they do nothing. Add an extra pill or two and I end up in serious trouble. I work as a truck driver, so finding a bathroom last minute is never a good thing.

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I'm week 10, and I still get it off and on...

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I was about to die from it after surgery til 2 weeks ago I added colace 2 in the morning everyday much better. Miralax doesn't work for me

Sent from my 5054N using the BariatricPal App

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Omg! I'm dealing with Constipation during my NUT visit's. I hope it goes away

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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