So I know I'm not alone in having bowel movement changes post surgery and I can't really talk about the embarrassing things that have happened because of this with other people who haven't had the surgery. So on to the TMI situation.

Nearly every month right before I get my period I have a BM that clogs the toilet at work. Today it happened and I was panicking because the toilet would not flush. I had to get creative to actually fix it. If this happened once and never again, it wouldn't be a huge deal, but it is has happened, specifically at work, three or four times already. Does anyone else have embarrassing issues with BMs after they have surgery?

constipation is a chronic problem for a lot of us - I'm guessing the big BMs are related to this. Experiment with some different treatments and combos of treatments and see what works for you just to keep on top of it. I'm currently taking Miralax (a capful in my morning protein shake) and magnesium capsules every day. Others have used Smooth Move tea, stool softeners, fiber supplements, prunes. Some have to occasionally use glycerin suppositories or Milk of Magnesia (I use the latter for a night or two if I get backed up - it works pretty well for me). Also, I would not use a fiber supplement if I was already backed up - it could make things worse. But if you're not backed up, then fiber can keep things moving.

There is a phase that patients go through after bariatric surgery. Luckily it is fairly short. It is so common that people have coined a phrase for it - "Never trust a fart".

Wow im 2 weeks in after sleeve and i didnt go for 4 days so (tmi) i just used fleet for an enema because i needed to go so bad but wouldnt come out for 4day clogged my butt lol ...

And i went now im using miralax in my protien shake not sure if it works yet started using it yesterday ... But enema worked great lol i was told not to take fiber because i may not be drinking enough water....

Doctor told me to make sure im drinking my 64oz of water and that Will help... Lets see.... Oh and deff... DO NOT TRUST A FART JAJAJAJ[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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May I suggest flushing at various points in your bathroom session, smaller amounts SHOULD flush easily

22 minutes ago, Tealael said:

May I suggest flushing at various points in your bathroom session, smaller amounts SHOULD flush easily

Yes! For god's sake, mercy flushes at work! Please!!!! bahahahahaha!

Use smooth move tea, works great. Drink a cup before bedtime and you will have a bowel movement in about eight hours

I take a teaspoon of magnesium citrate powder in water every evening before going to sleep. It helps me sleep and makes me go very regularly every morning. Also, many people are magnesium deficient and don't realise. Just make sure the powder dissolves completely in the water so it's transparent, this gets the active ingredients working properly.

3 hours ago, Tealael said:

May I suggest flushing at various points in your bathroom session, smaller amounts SHOULD flush easily

Sadly that would not have worked this last time. I eat a lot of Fiber One throughout the week so I'm fairly regular (maybe 4 or 5 times a week), but there is something about the time of my period where things get a little insane.

7 hours ago, James Marusek said:

There is a phase that patients go through after bariatric surgery. Luckily it is fairly short. It is so common that people have coined a phrase for it - "Never trust a fart".

It's usually a constant battle against constipation for me, but the past several weeks I think I've entered the "Never trust a fart" phase. I've had diarrhea for most of the past few weeks and it's awful. It's usually only in the morning and tapers off by the afternoon. I'm glad to hear that it's common and short-lived! I hate having to use the bathroom at work!

One other thought passed my mind on this subject: It is the toilet's fault.

Generally a toilet should be capable of flushing without clogging. After surgery the size of your stools should be smaller because you are consuming less food.

Toilets will overflow for a number of reasons. Sometimes people flush inappropriate objects down the toilet that clog the drains. (Inappropriate objects include tampons, diapers, paper towels etc.) On septic systems, the bacteria that break down manure can be killed by some strong toilet cleaners or by using toilet paper that does not biodegrade properly. Some toilets are designed to use minimal water per flush. Anyways at work whenever I felt that a toilet might back up and overflow, I would use a rubber plunger on it to make sure it was free and unplugged.

22 minutes ago, James Marusek said:

One other thought passed my mind on this subject: It is the toilet's fault.

Generally a toilet should be capable of flushing without clogging. After surgery the size of your stools should be smaller because you are consuming less food.

Toilets will overflow for a number of reasons. Sometimes people flush inappropriate objects down the toilet that clog the drains. (Inappropriate objects include tampons, diapers, paper towels etc.) On septic systems, the bacteria that break down manure can be killed by some strong toilet cleaners or by using toilet paper that does not biodegrade properly. Some toilets are designed to use minimal Water per flush. Anyways at work whenever I felt that a toilet might back up and overflow, I would use a rubber plunger on it to make sure it was free and unplugged.

I've had some big ones as well. If stuff isn't moving through your system fast enough, it could definitely accumulate.