I'm scheduled for RNY next Wednesday. I'm a diabetic, edge of obese but taking this drastic step in a bid to minimise or stop my diabetes.

The one thing giving me completely irrational fear is the stories of uncontrollable bowel movements. Now don't get me wrong, I expect some wariness around farting and some loose stools for a few months or a year but I'm hoping normalcy is on the horizon for most. It just seems like a lot of people are reporting lifelong uncontrollable diarrhoea, destroying marriages and requiring diapers.

Conscious of how people suffering specific issues frequent forums, and can overrepresent incidence - can some veterans let us all know how they're fairing years out? Are you crippled by leaking oily ooze? Pretty well managed? Have you had a bad bout and fixed it with something? Fibre? Probiotics? FODMAP?

I'm hoping we can get some broader sample response, acknowledging it could turn out everyone actually is exploding with faeces - but I'm hoping there's better news than that. Im young and my QoL is good. I'm active, class 1 obese - I hate the idea of resolving my diabetes but replacing insulin shots with adult diapers.

So tell us about your bowels you wonderful people!!!!

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I’m constipated all the time! That’s my new normal. I’m only 6 weeks out so I’m not eating a variety of foods yet, I’m too scared to do that. I just keep taking stool softeners & Miralax which takes a couple of days to work.

I’m constipated all the time! That’s my new normal. I’m only 6 weeks out so I’m not eating a variety of foods yet, I’m too scared to do that. I just keep taking stool softeners & Miralax which takes a couple of days to work.

Bloody ripper! I'll take a constipated tale over a poosplosion story any day. Hope it works out.

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Poops are fine for me. I had a little constipation and diarrhea the first month post-op, but then it resolved.

Chronically constipated but I had this before my surgery. It’s only gotten worse since then. I’ve never had diarrhea.

I’m 7 months out now and my bowels are normal. I have have 1-2 each day, and have never had any problems on that end. I’ve never been constipated either. I’m vegan so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it.

Theres a lot of stories out there, and I was nervous also, but still it has been a great decision for me. Stay positive, and I’m sure you’ll do great!

I eat so many fruits, veggies, beans and whole grains...my poops are spectacular. I poop, on average, once every day. If it goes two days....it's going to be a huge poo...like it should be issued a social security number kinda poo...and I lose a pound and a half. LOL.

I take probiotics and get half my protein from plant sources and healthy carbs. I eat a lot of fiber and fermented foods (miso, pickles, kombucha)...so that might contribute to my happy poo.

In the first couple weeks after surgery...I had one "shart"...small amount, but a mess! Yucko. So sorry for people who deal with this! I was shopping, ended up throwing away my underpants, using a million wet paper towels (so glad my bestie was there to laugh at me and slip more under the stall) and buying new undies while going commando for a hot minute. LOL.

Since about a month out...have had nothing but big firm happy regular poo. Am extremely thankful for this.

Loving it. Who would've thought normal poops were so reassuring. You're doing wonders.

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Oh - I should also have mentioned there's some common themes here for high fibre, probiotic friendly diets. Time to bring kimchi back into the house.

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Metformin use tends to cause runny stools. Narcotic use (or anything such as low fluid intake or lack of fiber) tends to cause constipation. Together these meds or conditions can possibly create a well-formed bowel movement. I'm 12 days post-op. This combination applies to me.

I am 6 weeks out and my bowel movements are normal. I poop every 2-3 days. They’re actually better now than before I had the surgery.

BARI-brothers and sisters I come to you with a problem. I have lymphadema of the lower legs, yes I know weight,loss can and will help with this. Not exactly why I am coming to you in supplication. My somewhat beloved "Job's Comforters" Tomkitten my son and my PCP aka Sppeedy Gonzalez because he rushes in and out of treatment rooms so,fast,you barely can get a question in. They both think it would be advantageous to take Lasix to reduce the swelling. I feel this is cruel and unusual punishment since I have 3 kidneys and spend so,much,of my life tinkling. Ah, they say, perhaps this is not high quality mictuation ,do MORE. Okay I was trying to be a low drama mama. My kidneys are in overdrive, now we come to the crux of my problem. Flu8d has to come from somewhere? Along,with depuffying my ankles it is dehydrating and making difficult my federations. I am not taking in the big bulky amounts of foods I once did, and my bowl of oatmeal in the AM just ain't hacking it. I broke in today to my carefully hoarded stash of Miralax to see if that would help. See I only get paid once a month with Social Security , and although,i only have a prescription for Miralax with a copay of $,28 it might have expired. and I can't afford the $16 over the counter and although I want a Squatty Potty I thought it could wait until after my surgery. After you finish th ROFLAO get up and give,me some sympathy. Thank You?& Frustr8.

Federations pfooey I said micturation and defecation- I can spell medical- even if my phone can't.

I googled some natural alternatives to Miralax, which over time can actually create a lazy bowel. I focused on alternatives recommended for children since they tend to be kinder and gentler. Some of the alternatives like flax oil might be too pricey, but there are plenty of cheaper things to try.

Pears, lentils.

http://www.healthyjasmine.com/ditch-the-miralax-use-these-natural-solutions-to-ease-constipation/

Coconut water, senna tea (cost?), castor oil, magnesium malate, magnesium citrate.

https://naturalconstipationsolutions.com/50-alternatives-to-miralax-for-children/

Talk to a pharmacist. They can help you figure out other cheaper alternatives and let you know the dangers of relying on a particular source, like Miralax, for too long. And talking to a pharmacist is always free!

Thanks Missouri-Lee's Summit, those are all good alternatives. Made me remember a family,tale. Apparently my Aunt Grace, my grandparents oldest had such a problem in baby hood, Grandma gave her syrup,of figs. Aunt Grace, who was my favoritevrelative on that side, was born,in 1905 and lived well into her 80s. If it wasn't for the sugar, and I am trying to reform my carbohydrate sins, I'd go buy some Fig Newtons, I like how.they taste, alas there are so many carb-laden things that taste good on the surface.?

I've heard of Syrup of Figs. Even found a recipe for it.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/syrup-of-figs-for-constipation-2109755

My grandfather Adams was born in 1905 and lived to be 88. His father, Robert, died after he was thrown from a horse when my grandfather was just 5 years old. My grandmother, Diantha, was left with four young children to raise on her own. Illiterate and poor, she worked her fingers to the bone. They lived on a small farm in New Boston, Missouri. The youngest child, my grandfather's brother, William, become tangled in the ropes used to tie him into his high chair and died at 18 months. Sometimes we need to hear about the unfortunate lives of others to realize how good we have it -- constipation and all.

Edited June 24, 20188 yr by Missouri-Lee's Summit