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

I need to talk about constipation post op



Recommended Posts

I apologize if this is too much information, but I need to figure out how to end this horrible Constipation I'm experiencing. I'm in my 5th week after gastric bypass and I'm just starting small amounts of food. I am not taking any pain meds, nor have I after day 3 of the surgery, but I am taking all my Vitamins, which includes Bariatric Advantage soft chew Multivitamins (2 a day) and Celebrate's Iron + C and calcium citrate softchews (1 each per day). I drink two Premier Protein drinks and day (60 grams of Protein total) and approximately drink 60 ounces of Water. The foods I have been eating are unsweetened applesauce, cottage cheese, and mashed potatoes. It takes four days for me to feel like I need to go and then it is MISERABLE. I am chockerblocked to the max. I have had to resort to laxatives and enemas because taking Colace and drinking Smooth Move tea regularly is NOT working. The laxatives only work some of the time and they cause bad cramping. Has anyone else suffered like this and what has worked? Are my vitamins causing this horrific experience and has anyone found a better type of Vitamin that helps with constipation? Is it my protein intake? I feel as if I'm drinking enough water.... would love to know if others have experienced this and how it was solved. Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was the same way! I was taking 2 laxatives, 2 stool softeners, eating 4 prunes, and using Miralax everyday.

My PCP told me to take 200-300mg of magnizium cirate a day for 4 days in the morning. If I needed more help I was to add another dose in the evening. Do that for 4 days. Add another does in the afternoon if I needed to.

I take it 3 times a day now & I have a movement every morning now when I wake up. They aren’t always little rabbit turds either 🤣 anymore.

It was painful getting to the 3 doses a day but it has helped me so much. I still need to do an enema about once a week just to clean it all out.

I have been consipated for for most of my life, the surgery & the eating of small amounts of food at a time just made it all worse!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also use the Poo Keeper app to keep track of everything.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Toodlerue! I can not take capsules, tablets, or caplets yet so did you use the oral solution? I see online that folks often drink an entire bottle as colonoscopy prep. How much do you think I'd have to drink to get the desired effect?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, Michelle Nunnery said:

Which Vitamins do you take? I also suffer from this. My surgeon told me to take the max amount suggested on dulcolax then miralax the days after.

I take two softchews of Bariatric Advantage multivitamins, one softchew of calcium citrate (Celebrate) and one softchew of Iron + C (Celebrate).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I initially had to take milk of magnesia 2-3x a day once I moved on from liquids. Now if it’s been 30 hours I take a half to full dose to keep things regular. My doctor didn’t allowed potatoes until 4 months out and no fruit veggies or applesauce. That may be causing the issue too. I have 1 shake, one yogurt, a laughing cow soft cheese then about 2 ounces of tuna or an egg. I’m also really strict with drinking at least 64 oz of fluids. The thing that I think helps me most is eating a quarter cup of retried Beans. It’s basically my only source of Fiber so if it’s been 24 hours that’s what I eat. Now I only need to take the milk of magnesia 1-2 x week. I had tried a stool softner a few days after surgery and hope to never do that again. I was miserable with cramping.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also-I didn’t get he cherry flavored. I got the original one that says sugar free.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay so whatever you guys do, DO NOT drink mag citrate liquid.
It could cause a lot of pain and suffering.

I do a scoop of Miralax every other day in my Water and things don’t get too bad.
I’ve had severe Constipation a few times, but if I do the miralax every day it’s too much.
The thought of using a stimulant laxative is just flat-out scary to me.

Still trying to find that balance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use a glycerin suppository to melt the hard poos. They are inexpensive like 3 or so bucks for 100ish at wm. BUT weird if you are not used to putting anything in your butt. They are small so it doesn't hurt. You just poke one in and then go do housework or something and 20-30 mins later everything is like soft serve. I probably have to use it 3 times a week. If I don't poo by night time then I'll use one or if I eat a heavy meat like steak or chicken breast I will use one in the morning. It's simple and doesn't cause any cramping and I like not having another pill to keep track of or remember to take.

Edited by Sweettoothless

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Sweettoothless said:

I use a glycerin suppository to melt the hard poos. They are inexpensive like 3 or so bucks for 100ish at wm. BUT weird if you are not used to putting anything in your butt. They are small so it doesn't hurt. You just poke one in and then go do housework or something and 20-30 mins later everything is like soft serve. I probably have to use it 3 times a week. If I don't poo by night time then I'll use one or if I eat a heavy meat like steak or chicken breast I will use one in the morning. It's simple and doesn't cause any cramping and I like not having another pill to keep track of or remember to take.

"Soft serve" ha ha! Thanks for this information. I actually bought some but haven't used them yet. Is there any negative to using them as often as you do? I'm started taking the maximum allotted Doculax tablets but the cramping and some nausea as a result are not fun either. I know laxatives are not the best solution long-term. I just cannot swallow that awful viscous Phillips Milk of Magnesia. Makes me gag. Would much rather go the suppository route than vomit the Phillips. I appreciate you responding!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Sheribear68 said:

Okay so whatever you guys do, DO NOT drink mag citrate liquid.
It could cause a lot of pain and suffering.

I do a scoop of Miralax every other day in my Water and things don’t get too bad.
I’ve had severe Constipation a few times, but if I do the miralax every day it’s too much.
The thought of using a stimulant laxative is just flat-out scary to me.

Still trying to find that balance.

Thanks for the warning! The reviews on Amazon say the oral solution "works like a charm" but I think you need to drink a whole bottle. I will get some Miralex powder today. The only thing that has had any effect so far (and it's minimal) is the Doculux tablets (so tiny I take them whole). They do make me feel horrible though in terms of cramping, nausea. I honestly find the constipation the worse part of the post-surgery process... Can you taste the Miralax? I had some issues with constipation during the Clear Liquids pre-op diet but I added Benefiber to my Water and it worked great. I started Benefiber again (did NOT work) and besides, some posters say that fiber is NOT ALLOWED at this stage. Yes, finding the balance is very hard.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, ms.sss said:

Try upping your Water a bit more to 70 or 80 oz a day and get some exercise in (helps to keep things moving). Also get some green leafy veggies into your diet.

I take 2 teaspoons of Benefibre in Water once or twice daily, and I think it helps.

Hi there, Benefiber worked very well for me prior to the surgery but I have been told by lots of folks that fiber is a no-no soon after surgery (I'm 5 weeks post-op). How long after surgery did you start taking it? Thanks for the recommendations. Now that the weather is getting warmer I need to start walking during my lunch hours as I'm behind a computer all day!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use benefiber with every Protein Shake I mix up in the morning and switch up with some mirrolax if things need a little extra kick. I bought some of the glycerin because it got bad in the beginning but never used them, and I could have named some of my bm's... All that Protein will block you up like a cornered racoon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Take fiber suppliments with meals. The fiber absorbs Water from the intestines. If you are having such problems, I would make fiber a part of each meal, not inbetween.

I haven't had such problems, but when I started crapping bricks that clogged the commode for a day or two (no joke), I started eating fiber Gummy chews. Problem solved. I was not getting fiber in my meals, and I hated all fiber suppliments, but the gummy chews are awesome, almost like a sweet candy.< br>
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using BariatricPal mobile app

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×