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!

4 hours ago, GettinSkinnywithit said:

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.

Hmmmmm....so you think it's the protein that's causing the Rock of Gibralter in my colon? I assumed it was the vitamins and small amounts of food. That's the first I heard of protein doing this. My doc has advised against Benefiber, at least at this early stage. I wish there had been more pre-op "training" about how bad the constipation can be. My doctor told me to use Colace (but not swallow the gel pills)....so, I drained them, but no luck in the evacuation department on Colace.

On 03/18/2019 at 09:44, Gottajustdoit said:

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.

I put the miralax in plain water and can’t taste it. The only thing I notice is maybe the water tastes like smart water.... a little alkaline and mineral-y tasting.
IMO, not at all unpleasant.
It can also be put in any kind of juice, but for some reason it doesn’t dissolve very well in milk.

On 03/18/2019 at 16:31, Gottajustdoit said:

Hmmmmm....so you think it's the Protein that's causing the Rock of Gibralter in my colon? I assumed it was the Vitamins and small amounts of food. That's the first I heard of protein doing this. My doc has advised against Benefiber, at least at this early stage. I wish there had been more pre-op "training" about how bad the constipation can be. My doctor told me to use Colace (but not swallow the gel pills)....so, I drained them, but no luck in the evacuation department on Colace.

Protein is definitely a big part of it.

Large doses of both protein and calcium citrate lead to constipation.

Iron can also make you constipated.

Try smooth move tea also.

Has anyone used Linzess a prescription med? I am 4 years out never had issues until now.

2 hours ago, CurvyMom said:

Try smooth move tea also.

This worked before surgery but I've been drinking it for days and, well....nothing. ?

On 3/18/2019 at 8:38 AM, Gottajustdoit said:

"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!

I don't think it has any long term side effects. Since it is only a poo melter it doesn't cause any cramping and it doesn't stimulate your bowels. I like that I don't have to use it every day so it isn't like my body forgot how to poo or anything like that. Also, a squatty potty is helpful too and pretty cheap at around $20 and you can Amazon it so you don't get embarrassed.

1 minute ago, Sweettoothless said:

I don't think it has any long term side effects. Since it is only a poo melter it doesn't cause any cramping and it doesn't stimulate your bowels. I like that I don't have to use it every day so it isn't like my body forgot how to poo or anything like that. Also, a squatty potty is helpful too and pretty cheap at around $20 and you can Amazon it so you don't get embarrassed.

Also this is totally tmi but if you get really really backed up you can use a glycerin suppository and it will melt some of that big giant hard poo that is stuck. Then you can use another one and it will melt off some more. Eventually the cannonball sized hard poo will get melted down to golf ball size. I had the worst experience pooing the week after because I was poorly prepared and poorly researched and too embarassed to ask anyone.

I am almost 3 weeks post op and did not have any issues with constipation. My husband also had his surgery done almost 10 months ago and had some of the same issues with constipation that you speak of. He tried several things at first. He definitely did the baby prunes and miralax for a while. Now that he is a bit further out from surgery, he tends to make sure that he gets a good amount of fiber with the foods that he eats on a daily basis. Hopefully you will find some relief soon!

I don't have a lot of issues, but if the smooth move tea doesn't work...the one thing that I noticed for me was as soon as I could and veggies back in, I was fine. My NUT said do not add fiber if you are already backed up because it can make it worse. I used miralax every night until my issues resolved themselves and not I am doing okay.....most days LOL

Ginger tea first thing in morning gets thing moving.

My doctor said Milk of Magnesia every night until things got back to normal. Took only a few days for that to happen.

Didn't know there was an app for ?: is it Android or Apple? Must download it in any case!