Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Constipation



Recommended Posts

Hello Everyone,

My surgery date is Nov 13, I worked so hard to obtain this date. I am afraid I may back out of surgery.

We are going to get real personal here lol. I suffer from hemorrhoids and an occasional anal fissure that tears about once a month. So basically I have a hard time passing regular stools.

I keep seeing people talk about Constipation after surgery. I can’t handle that, not at all. I take stool softeners daily in a pill. Most days it hurts passing soft stools. My doctor told me I can start my liquid diet early to help lose some extra weight. I did. I also got extremely constipated. Literally had to go to the ER for help. If this is how it’s gonna be after surgery I don’t know if I can do it.

Let’s say One day after surgery could I actually crush my stool softeners to help me?

I just want to break down and cry. Sorry for whining here but man my life depends on this surgery and I can’t handle knowing that I might have to go through what I just went through..

Thank you for taking your time to read this.

Casey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are several powders (mix in water) or liquid stool softener you can take right after surgery. Talk to your surgeon and he should give you your options that you can try out ahead of time to see what works.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I totally understand your fear. I had Constipation only once and ended up with a fissure and had to have enema. It was most distressing.
They can give you mirilax or movicol. There will be a plan for you. You don’t have to give up. Please talk to your doctor to put a plan in place. Best of luck.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both for commenting. I am gonna talk to my surgeon asap. I was just stressed out and worried. You both helped me calm down a little with telling me that I can take a softener right after surgery!

Thanks again!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both for commenting. I am gonna talk to my surgeon asap. I was just stressed out and worried. You both helped me calm down a little with telling me that I can take a softener right after surgery!
Thanks again!!

Good luck, you can do this with a good plan :-)


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also Smooth Move tea. I use that with my 12 year old along with miralx because she passes poop the size of pop cans. She has torn so many times. If we keep up with mirilax, stool softener and smooth move tea she does fine. I worry about the constapation too seeings I had perforated my bowel two years ago.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for replying! Where can I find this Smooth Move tea? Sounds better than constantly taking stool softeners.

You can take magnesium gel tabs after having the surgery?


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am almost two years post op. So yes, you can take magnesium. But recommend the gel tabs because easier on the stomach. No more cramping or bloating. I wish they had told me about it sooner.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, mcplu28 said:

Thank you all for replying! Where can I find this Smooth Move tea? Sounds better than constantly taking stool softeners.

You can take magnesium gel tabs after having the surgery?

You can buy smooth move tea at Walmart and Meijers in the tea and coffee isle.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm keeping it real. I'm 3 months post op. I have never had problems with constripation until I had WLS. I've taken Mirlax, which don't work for me. Stool softeners takes to long to move BM. Probiotic is a joke. A few days ago I decided to take Milk Magnesium before going to bed. This did the trick. I'm going to stock my medicine cabinet with this stuff. Someone mentioned the gel, I'm going to try it. The liquid form works fabulous. Anyway, It's not my intention to put fear in you. The good news though, I do not regret one moment. I wish I would have done it sooner. Continue doing what you doing. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon. You want to make sure that you're making the right decision. I wish you the best in this new journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm keeping it real. I'm 3 months post op. I have never had problems with constripation until I had WLS. I've taken Mirlax, which don't work for me. Stool softeners takes to long to move BM. Probiotic is a joke. A few days ago I decided to take Milk Magnesium before going to bed. This did the trick. I'm going to stock my medicine cabinet with this stuff. Someone mentioned the gel, I'm going to try it. The liquid form works fabulous. Anyway, It's not my intention to put fear in you. The good news though, I do not regret one moment. I wish I would have done it sooner. Continue doing what you doing. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon. You want to make sure that you're making the right decision. I wish you the best in this new journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I take a spoonful of organic coconut oil and have had no issues. When you have your surgery, your best investment is a baby spoon/fork. Our stomach's are the size of a Sunnyside up egg. The baby sized utensils help us to take tiny bites & chew slowly: I still have that 'wolf food down' issue & when I do this, food comes right back up. Fortunately, my surgeons' office offers 3 free support groups every month: eating issues led by a clinical psychologist, nutrition led by our nutritionist/dietitian, and support for any who've had gastric surgery. Seeing a personal therapist weekly.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said 2 to 4 oz of magnesium citrate liquid is a reasonable option for post-op Constipation. You can buy it at CVS/Walgreens for about $1.50 for an 8 oz bottle.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a fan of magnesium pill. Have been taking 1 daily dose for two months now (after struggling with Constipation for 2 months after surgery) and it is making all the difference.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×