Sorry for the unpleasant topic title.

I'm on day 5 of the all liquid (shakes and clear fluids only + SF Jello, SF popsicles, broth) diet. I'm doing fine, no real hunger, etc. BUT...

Even taking the 2 Dulcolax tabs per day as allowed, I am getting more and more constipated. I drink well over 200 oz of fluids per day. This seems insane to me. I take 3 grams of psyllium husk (allowed) in addition to the approximate 3 grams of fiber in each shake, but nothing is helping. The Dulcolax worked well the first couple days (when on regular foods) I used it, but now it seems like it's working against me. I feel super bloated, and the first few days on the liquid diet, I was constantly going to the bathroom and losing water weight, but now, even with all the fluids I'm drinking, that's no longer happening, either. I also have continuous, extreme cotton mouth--and that's a big part of why I'm drinking so much. Help?!!

200 oz of fluids is insane. That can't be good for you. Most bariatric clinics ask you to drink 48-64 oz per day, which includes your shakes and bullion. Did they tell you to drink that much? If not, take tiny sips to swirl around your mouth for your cotton mouth, rather than gulping down more water.

Are you simply not pooping or do you feel like there is feces that you are utable to pass? You don't have much fiber in your diet while on the liquid diet so you may not need to poop as often.

Miralax, Senocot, Milk of Magnesia, and Colase are other products that help with constipation.

Have you consulted with your clinic about this?

Maybe try some sugar free Gatorade or sugar free power ade to see if it helps with your thirst.

I'm on Day 5 too and had very soft stools, borderline diarrhea, for the first 3 days, but have not passed anything since. Maybe we have nothing to pass, considering we're on a liquid diet?

I’m passing, but it’s like rocks

22 minutes ago, LadyH said:

I’m passing, but it’s like rocks

that's constipation, then. Might be the low fiber/high protein. Just so you know, chronic constipation keeps up for most of us even after surgery. Even YEARS after surgery. I think it's mostly due to the high protein diet and some of the supplements (iron and calcium, for sure!)

7 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

that's constipation, then. Might be the low fiber/high Protein. Just so you know, chronic constipation keeps up for most of us even after surgery. Even YEARS after surgery. I think it's mostly due to the high protein diet and some of the supplements (iron and Calcium, for sure!)

That’s why I’m so concerned. That’s really bad for a person, and long term use of laxatives only exacerbates the problem.

Man, the liver shrinking diet resulted in the worst constipation - worse than what I have experienced post surgery. Not to say post surgery has been great - it hasn't been - but I remember that two week pre op diet. I never had constipation issues before surgery so it's depressing that this is the new normal, but life is full of trade offs.

Miralax is my favorite thing. It can be used daily and mixes nicely into hot drinks (cold as well, but I only use it in hot where it disappears instantly). Not all constipation aids are good for long term use, but Miralax is on the safer side. I'm on an every few days regimen and that seems to keep things moving for me most of the time.

@Queen ApisM I’m encouraged to hear all that! I am planning to get Miralax. It seems sketchy the bari programs haven’t figured out a better plan. Like indigestible fiber adds no carbs or calories and should be part of the diet—at least!!

I swear I have never read about, thought about or written about bowel movements more since my surgery than I had in my entire pre surgery life. ???. Some people really struggle with constipation & go for multiple days or a week or more without a bowel motion. You’re eating very little & all liquids so you don’t have a lot of solids to poop out at first. Small bowel movements every couple of days is not unusual. I only took a stool softener when I got to day 3 without any movement so on day 4 there would be some action & it would still only be a small poop.

Watch the psyllium husks as they absorb fluids & swell in your tummy adding to your bloating . Look for non swelling fibre.

All your shakes, broths, etc. count towards your daily fluid total. Are you drinking so much fluid to manage your dry mouth? Give some of the biotene dry mouth products a try to help with your dry mouth.

Dry mouth can occur after surgery but it’s usually temporary. I’d suggest giving your medical team a call.

Edited December 6, 20214 yr by Arabesque

Program fluids: 3-5 shakes plus at least 64 oz. of clear fluids. After surgery, the 64 oz is bare minimum, and often people return to the hospital with dehydration if that’s all they can drink. Recommended guidelines are 1/2 to 1 full oz of fluid per lb of body weight.
The reason psyllium husks are allowed is because they are not like other fibers which will add carbs/calories.

A dietitian suggested adding a probiotic supplement and meat tenderizer (!) to my diet daily.

2 minutes ago, Sunnyway said:

A dietitian suggested adding a probiotic supplement and meat tenderizer (!) to my diet daily.

Wow! Hahah! I'll have to look up what's in meat tenderizer. I already take probiotics. Thanks for the tip.

Smooth Move Tea. It works every time for me!

4 minutes ago, PuraVida37 said:

Smooth Move Tea. It works every time for me!

Meat tenderizer?

On 12/5/2021 at 2:21 PM, LadyH said:

and long term use of laxatives only exacerbates the problem.

My team at the VA told us to use a suppository for constipation. It's less harmful to your system - and more focused on the immediate blockage.