Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

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?!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@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!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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 by Arabesque

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×