I’m 20days out and I’m suffering from constipation. I’m meeting my protein and water goals and I am active throughout the day. I tried milk and magnesium and it doesn’t help. Anyone go through this and have any suggestions?

Milk of magnesia is what worked for me in the short term. I’m sure others will have a different suggestion. In the long term I have been taking a heaping spoonful of soluble fiber in my crystal light daily and I haven’t had any issues at all since.

I’ve been taking benefiber tablets and nothing, tomorrow I will try the powder in crystal light as well. Thank you for your suggestion

Miralax once a week if needed helps me

Miralax. I put a scoop in my coffee and that helps when I get that way.

I’ve tried Miralax, Milk of magnesia. Senakot and none of them worked. Unfortunately the only thing that gets things moving for me is Exlax (which causes pretty painful cramping 6-10 hours after taking) and sugar feee chocolate.

I know the sugar free chocolate isn’t the answer even though it’s within my calories for the day, so I do the exlax every week and a half. I do have bowel movements 2-3 a week otherwise. Coming from a consistent 1-2x a day my whole life, this has been a frustrating change.

Epsom salt has never let me down. Don’t plan on leaving the house for 24 hours until you know how long it lasts for you though (not kidding). But it starts quick, usually less than 30 minutes for me. I do 2 - 3 table spoons with about 12oz hot water, but read the label (usually suggests between 2-6 TEAspoons). It tastes horrible, but it’ll empty you out. Drink lots of water after, you’ll see why.

Careful with the exlax - It can cause problems long term. After about two weeks post surgery, I had to use what is referred to in our house as the "nuclear option" (enema). It was AWFUL - SERIOUSLY HORRENDOUS - Since then, I've had problems, but overall things have worked out with time and the ability to get in some raw vegetables (I know you aren't there yet). I started with just lettuce, tomato, and protein powder in my dressing. Every few days, that did the trick. I find that when I get my fluid intake in and walk more, I can stay pretty regular. With regards to Miralax, are you taking it every day? If not, you might want to try that first rather than waiting until it's bad.

Miralax and/or Benefiber and/or Smooth Move tea might be helpful

Miralax, on a regular schedule in the beginning helped a lot. I think I did every other day for a while, then went to every third day, now it is as needed (maybe 2x a week).

talk to your PCP or surgeon. Chronic constipation is VERY common after both RNY and VSG, and you have to keep on top of it (many of us take Miralax, magnesium tablets, etc every day). Since those don't work for you, you'll have to find something that will. ExLax might be OK for very occasional use, but not every day since it's very harsh and you can develop dependence on it to boot. Check with a doctor - they can probably recommend or prescribe something that'll work for you AND that you can take consistently.

14 hours ago, Soon2bFit21 said:

I’ve tried Miralax, Milk of magnesia. Senakot and none of them worked. Unfortunately the only thing that gets things moving for me is Exlax (which causes pretty painful cramping 6-10 hours after taking) and sugar feee chocolate.

I know the Sugar Free Chocolate isn’t the answer even though it’s within my calories for the day, so I do the exlax every week and a half. I do have bowel movements 2-3 a week otherwise. Coming from a consistent 1-2x a day my whole life, this has been a frustrating change.

Oh man thanks

14 hours ago, Officially Not Fatty Matty said:

Epsom salt has never let me down. Don’t plan on leaving the house for 24 hours until you know how long it lasts for you though (not kidding). But it starts quick, usually less than 30 minutes for me. I do 2 - 3 table spoons with about 12oz hot Water, but read the label (usually suggests between 2-6 TEAspoons). It tastes horrible, but it’ll empty you out. Drink lots of water after, you’ll see why.

Thank you

2 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

talk to your PCP or surgeon. Chronic constipation is VERY common after both RNY and VSG, and you have to keep on top of it (many of us take Miralax, magnesium tablets, etc every day). Since those don't work for you, you'll have to find something that will. ExLax might be OK for very occasional use, but not every day since it's very harsh and you can develop dependence on it to boot. Check with a doctor - they can probably recommend or prescribe something that'll work for you AND that you can take consistently.

Thank you

On 11/02/2021 at 08:45, catwoman7 said:

talk to your PCP or surgeon. Chronic constipation is VERY common after both RNY and VSG, and you have to keep on top of it (many of us take Miralax, magnesium tablets, etc every day). Since those don't work for you, you'll have to find something that will. ExLax might be OK for very occasional use, but not every day since it's very harsh and you can develop dependence on it to boot. Check with a doctor - they can probably recommend or prescribe something that'll work for you AND that you can take consistently.

I believe you’re mentioning my post so I’m responding:

I don’t take exlax daily, it’s every week to week and a half. I do take magnesium daily. Miralax does not work even with daily use.

My surgeon has been absolutely useless with any help or answers post surgery and getting a call back isn’t going to happen . As per my PCP I “fired” my surgery center due to the issues I’ve had from the very start with them and incredibly rude, condescending, and unhelpful replies if I even get one at all.

My PCP doesn’t have any answers outside of things we’ve already covered. I’ve even tried mega dosing on vitamin C and that doesn’t work as well.

2 hours ago, Soon2bFit21 said:

I believe you’re mentioning my post so I’m responding:

I don’t take exlax daily, it’s every week to week and a half. I do take magnesium daily. Miralax does not work even with daily use.

My surgeon has been absolutely useless with any help or answers post surgery and getting a call back isn’t going to happen . As per my PCP I “fired” my surgery center due to the issues I’ve had from the very start with them and incredibly rude, condescending, and unhelpful replies if I even get one at all.

My PCP doesn’t have any answers outside of things we’ve already covered. I’ve even tried mega dosing on Vitamin C and that doesn’t work as well.

whoop - sorry! I thought it was the OP's post. I saw ExLax in there and just knew I had to respond, so I wasn't paying attention to whose post it was. Thanks for clarifying - I"m glad to hear you're not taking it every day!