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?!!

31 minutes ago, LilaNicole20 said:

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.

Funny you posted this. I agree with you. I literally just got off the phone with my team's nurse and said the same thing. She said we can't use suppositories because they're laxatives. They only allow stool softeners. How crazy is this whole bariatric thing when every single team wants to do something different. This can't be science.

17 hours ago, LadyH said:

Funny you posted this. I agree with you. I literally just got off the phone with my team's nurse and said the same thing. She said we can't use suppositories because they're laxatives. They only allow stool softeners. How crazy is this whole bariatric thing when every single team wants to do something different. This can't be science.

That is strange!! Ugh, and frustrating!!

On 12/7/2021 at 2:07 PM, LadyH said:

meat tenderizer?

Huh? It's a tea. https://www.target.com/p/traditional-medicinals-smooth-move-peppermint-tea-bags-16ct/-/A-14086317?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012732781&CPNG=PLA_Grocery%2BShopping_Local|Grocery_Ecomm_Food_Bev&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9004522&targetid=pla-551612925582&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2NaNBhDvARIsAEw55hgdHM30ZkkDg94VLWB-GeBj6f335U7Xh4ZRmiKbFXMZXW6q40ZK74QaAlLlEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I didn’t have any issues pre surgery (I just went a lot less) but post surgery I found that taking the Walmart generic of benefiber daily keeps me completely regular.

You're drinking an awful lot. Maybe it's all coming out as liquid because you're on a liquid diet? Call your surgeon's office if you still haven't had a bowel movement in a few days.