3 days post-op -- question about bowels

[xoxomaya 4]

Hi. 3 days post op.

Had RNY on 21st. Went home on 23rd (today).

I'm on 7 days of full liquids right now. So far I only had Protein Shakes, yogurt, clear broth, and Gatorade (G2 in the hospital and Zero at home).

I'm still very gassy from the surgery. Pain is manageable. I'm not getting even close to 48oz daily but tolerating well what I do drink.

When can I expect first bowel movement?

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[catwoman7 10,845]

I think it took me about a week. There's not much in there..

[xoxomaya 4]

I think it took me about a week. There's not much in there..

Were you taking stool softeners that first week? I haven't started mine yet, but was thinking tomorrow maybe.

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[catwoman7 10,845]

7 minutes ago, xoxomaya said:

Were you taking stool softeners that first week? I haven't started mine yet, but was thinking tomorrow maybe.

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I'm pretty sure I was. Just so you know, for some of us, that first one is a doozy - so it might not be a bad idea to start up on the stool softeners!

[Uomograsso 364]

I would check with your doctor about adding some Fiber, like benefiber to your Fluid intake. That will help. If not fiber yet you might be able to take Miralax or milk of magnesia.

[Katiebal_Lecter 28]

I just had my surgery on 12/17. I was five days post op when I had my BM. My doctor said no Fiber for the first three months, but if I needed help “going” to take miralax. (TMI but my first BM was entirely made up of blood- surgeon said it was normal. Sorry if that’s tmi, but I was totally taken by surprise and would like other people to know that it happens.)

[GradyCat 3,692]

I y first one right away (I had the sleeve) while I was still in the hospital and never had a problem but for most people on here it seems to take about a week for their bowels to start moving. Colace is recommended by my surgeon if you need any help moving them.

[xoxomaya 4]

How do you take colace the first week? It's too big to swallow whole. I just tried biting through it and liquid inside is revolting.

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[healthy and fit @ 60 11]

How do you take colace the first week? It's too big to swallow whole. I just tried biting through it and liquid inside is revolting.

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You can buy liquid colace. I am a nurse and have used for patients unable to take the pill form.

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[Betty1971 382]

I had the sleeve and before the sleeve I had three bowel resections due to diverticulitis, so I have had Constipation issues most of the last 15 years. The sleeve only made it worse BUT I have found that ginger tea, hot baths and a stool to put my feet up helps a great deal on my poop day. I also have to day a stool softener every night and I only poop every three days. That is a lot of poop information right there but you will find that pooping becomes a very important part of your life right now!!!!

I found chewable exlax is very helpful in that third day!!!

[xoxomaya 4]

Thank you all
My Dr's nurse called me earlier to check on me. She said I'm allowed to swallow colace whole with some Water. And to expect BM in the next day or two.
So here we wait.
Figuring things out post WLS is a fun little project, is it not? Lol

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[catwoman7 10,845]

4 minutes ago, xoxomaya said:

Thank you all
My Dr's nurse called me earlier to check on me. She said I'm allowed to swallow colace whole with some Water. And to expect BM in the next day or two.
So here we wait.
Figuring things out post WLS is a fun little project, is it not? Lol

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lots of us on here who have been through it - so feel free to ask away!

[Arabesque 6,446]

Congrats on your surgery.

Constipation & random diarrhoea is common during the weight loss phase.

My first bowel movement after surgery literally just ran out of me on day 3. It was horribly embarrassing. They were giving me a very strong laxative in hospital but I stopped when I got home cause I felt it was too harsh & didn’t want any more experiences like day 3. Then I think it was a couple of days later before I went again.

Catwoman7 is right: you really haven’t been consuming much so there’s nothing much there to pass. I added benefibre to a shake everyday & then if I got to three days without going I’d take a gentle stool softener. I was happy if I went every two days.

Things went back to normal when I was eating more in maintenance.

Good luck.

[MariaDon 0]

Hi All, new to the site.

I had my bariatric surgery Sep. 21, 2020. So far I’ve lost 45 lbs, give or take the the new one day per week, 5-6 lbs of excruciating BM blockade that has become my life since surgery. My poor husband, I think he has brought home every fiber Gummy, BeneFiber, stool softener, MiraLax, etc. that he can find at Walmart or CVS....

Before surgery, I never had BM Constipation issues - every morning, like clock work...

Post Surgery..., a once a week major headache, literally! Irritability in overdrive, bloating, excruciating back pain and constipation with no relief ... Until, bring on the suppository, followed by a full day of the exact opposite... BM URGENCY and DIARRHEA, UHG!

Just like the gobs and gobs of hair shedding from my head daily (good thing my hair is thick and course) my doctor says “this too shall pass.”

You just have to experiment with the different OTC products, until you find what works for you.

[xoxomaya 4]

Day 5 and no BM in sight and no feeling like there's anything in my bowels either.
I'll be buying miralax later today.
I'm starting to worry.

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