Sorry for the TMI

I'm one week out from surgery, haven't had any problems until today. I got very dehydrated yesterday but I was back on track until this afternoon, when I started suffering the worst constipation I've ever had. I've been drinking water and taken a stool softener & Miralax but nothing seems to be moving. I'm about to break out the nuclear option - magnesium citrate.

My main worry is that I'm too afraid to take my protein shake. Usually I have 2 shakes, a sf jello, a broth, 64 oz of water & a small meal of meat and veggies. I don't feel well and I don't want to add to the problem. Any advice? (It's too late to call my doc)

I called mine on Christmas Eve to tell him I couldn’t poop. ? He told me to go with the nuclear option…. It was the best Christmas poop ever!
Also, it’s never too late to call if you’re worried- the surgeon office should have an on call service to call you back with urgent issues.

that's not uncommon. It can take up to a week, and that first one can be a doozy!

I had a similar issue but kept up with the protein shakes and bone broth. It will pass soon.

You want to make sure your stay hydrated if nothing else because dehydration = constipation and if you're already constipated, that'll just make it worse.

Try a glycerin suppository laxative. That's what the surgery center recommended to me and it worked in like half an hour. So much relief! Just don't use it all the time or you can become dependent on it. And they told me to prevent future problems to drink more.

Edited September 22, 20214 yr by lizonaplane

I just cannot get myself to do the suppository....lol

2 minutes ago, Tony B - NJ said:

I just cannot get myself to do the suppository....lol

It's really easy. Takes about 5 seconds to put it in. Then you just sit or lie down and wait for it to work. It's much better than having to go to the Emergency Room and be around people with covid just so the nurse can deal with you being constipated and they have to go in and dig you out... that's way worse.

2 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

It's really easy. Takes about 5 seconds to put it in. Then you just sit or lie down and wait for it to work. It's much better than having to go to the Emergency Room and be around people with covid just so the nurse can deal with you being constipated and they have to go in and dig you out... that's way worse.

You make a good point. but.....

Trust me, it's not as bad as you think.

Thanks for the help, folks! Luckily the nuclear option worked eventually lol. I had to wait for several hours to get blood work done the day before and didn't want to use the water fountain, so I guess I ended up too dehydrated even though I tried to catch up later. Not leaving the house without a water bottle again, I learned my lesson the hard way. Literally!!!