I had my gastric sleeve on May 6. I am post op day 3/4 and i have yet to poop or fart. They told me if i didn’t have either that i would have to go back in the hospital. I’m attempting Miralax tonight in hopes i do go but since my surgery i have not kept the appropriate fluids down. I feel so full after one drop. Is this normal? I’m feeling a little pain in one incision which I’m assuming is the incision my stomach came out of and a little left shoulder pain. Any insight would be helpful please!

I used milk of magnesia day 3. Miralax only works with at least 8 Oz of water which may take a long time for you to get down.

Oh i read it says either 4 or 8 so i did it with 4 ?

That’s good, I thought it was 8.

Thank you milk of mag is my next go to. I just worry with not getting enough fluids in

You need to keep trying with the fluids, try warm liquids or room temp. Broth or tea rather than plain water. Dehydration is a huge problem that can escalate before you know you are in serious trouble. Bowel function is impaired from anesthetic and lack of nutrition, in early recovery you will naturally go less due to not consuming much. Walk more, it helps bowel function return. Yes, milk of magnesia and stool softeners are needed until you can add vegetables on a regular basis, plus I found whey protein very constipating. Push the fluids by sipping tiny amounts all day, this is your primary goal right now.

This was a challenge for me too. I can’t say if it’s normal but certainly common. I’d be most concerned with not gassing due to the fact gas was placed in the abdomen during surgery (discomfort), I mean it’s enough to drive you nuts! I did collace kept up my walk in recovery- I went home same day of surgery & walked every hour for about 5 minutes. Definitely want to continually sip throughout the day (a medicine cap & sugar free popsicles helped me with this)

I was baffled how much I couldn’t eat or tolerate so it’s a natural progression. For 1 your stomach was just violated and is now swollen due to being trimmed. I read a lot during my 3 week recovery & it takes 4-6 months for your stomach to heal/fully recover. But water is absorbed through the lining of your stomach something like within 5 minutes of drinking it. So you shouldn’t hurt to get your cap full of water every 15 mins. Water will also aid in healing. Keep trying you are still very early - don’t force anything, don’t stress about it either just remain attentive you will know if something is wrong. Oh & last thing my nutritionist warned me that I may not have a bm because of all the medications used during surgery & soon after she also advised not to sit & push either. So consider medications as a potential cause also. Best of luck dear!

You don't want to get dehydrated, so please try to get those fluids in. Can you do a sugar-free popsicle to try to get some fluid in? Slip slowly every 15 minutes. Yes, incision site pain is normal.

I agree with everyone that hydration is important and you should focus on that.

The going to the hospital if you don’t have a bm for three day is odd. If you’re taking in very little food (protein shakes at this point), how is a bm going to happen? For me, I took mag citrate so was flushed out completely pre surgery. I had my first bm on day 8.

As far as gas, you can’t be positive on that, because we expel gas during our sleep

I expected the swelling...but I have bruising too. Is this normal after sleeve surgery?

19 hours ago, layashmil said:

I had my gastric sleeve on May 6. I am post op day 3/4 and i have yet to poop or fart. They told me if i didn’t have either that i would have to go back in the hospital. I’m attempting Miralax tonight in hopes i do go but since my surgery i have not kept the appropriate fluids down. I feel so full after one drop. Is this normal? I’m feeling a little pain in one incision which I’m assuming is the incision my stomach came out of and a little left shoulder pain. Any insight would be helpful please!

It took 10 days for me to go. Fleet suppository is the only thing that worked for me.

I had it all, dehydration and constipation and still a little fresh off the table myself but I drank green tea and that helped. The more you walk the more the gas will "walk" its way out. Congrats and good luck.

May 5th I got my sleeve and today I had my first bowel movement. I used a mild laxative and feel better now. My Dr. said I wouldn't have a movement until a week had passed.

It took 10 days for me to go. Fleet suppository is the only thing that worked for me.

Pharmacist told me to use unmedicated glycerin suppositories to soften the stools....sounds disgusting but the texture is like packed clay

I had it all, dehydration and constipation and still a little fresh off the table myself but I drank green tea and that helped. The more you walk the more the gas will "walk" its way out. Congrats and good luck.

Green tea is great...tough one to suggest because it is high in caffeine.... Decaffeinated if possible