My weight loss is stalled and I'm constipated - "Drink more water, consume less sodium"

So I start watching my sodium intake and consuming 80+ oz of water a day and using Benefiber 2x a day

Since Wednesday night, I'm cramping in my feet and calves in my sleep - "You're drinking too much water and that's washing out all your electrolytes"

Where do I find electrolytes? - "In your food (like sodium), but you can only consume small portions because of the surgery"

What the hell am I supposed to do???

Drink Power-Ade Zero . It's full of electrolytes and no calories . I drink at least one every day. As for constipation - they always say drink more water.... but you and I are proof that doesn't always work. I drink as much as you do and I STILL get constipated ! If benefiber doesn't work , give a stool softner a try. Some times you just need that gentle push that will start the process.

Try something like Powerade/Gatorade/Vitamin Water (sugar free versions) or a water additive like zip fizz to help with electrolytes. A low sodium bone broth might be a good choice, too, if you prefer savory. I use Just Better Fiber for the digestive part, and it has been tremendously helpful. Its definitely a balance keeping hydrated, keeping electrolytes up, getting protein in.... blah blah blah. The plight of all bariatric patients!

19 minutes ago, KathyLev said:

Drink Power-Ade Zero . It's full of electrolytes and no calories . I drink at least one every day. As for Constipation - they always say drink more water.... but you and I are proof that doesn't always work. I drink as much as you do and I STILL get constipated ! If benefiber doesn't work , give a stool softner a try. Some times you just need that gentle push that will start the process.

Well, Wednesday night and Thursday night I drank Gatorade Zero and I was still waking up with cramps. One of my sisters is a RN with 40+ years experience and she said to try Propel? I guess I can try that. I do have a doc's appt. on Monday, but until then I guess I'm sipping on pickle juice and drinking Propel. ?‍♀️

21 minutes ago, Sleeve_Me_Alone said:

Try something like Powerade/Gatorade/Vitamin Water (sugar free versions) or a water additive like zip fizz to help with electrolytes. A low sodium Bone Broth might be a good choice, too, if you prefer savory. I use Just Better Fiber for the digestive part, and it has been tremendously helpful. Its definitely a balance keeping hydrated, keeping electrolytes up, getting Protein in.... blah blah blah. The plight of all bariatric patients!

If you don't mind me asking, how often in a day do you use the Just Better Fiber?

34 minutes ago, CarmenG said:

If you don't mind me asking, how often in a day do you use the Just Better Fiber?

I usually aim for about 3 tablespoons or so a day (give or take, I don't really measure I just use a heaping spoonful each time). I mix one into my coffee first thing in the morning and then dump the rest into my big water cup and sip on it all day. It has no flavor, no smell, and no texture, so you can really put it into anything you want.

Have you tried Miralax for the constipation?

Epsom salt, Pink Salt, "No Salt" Salt & baking soda make a very good electrolyte drink, taste like salty tears, but it works.

Also, Epsom salt is a laxative, so it would help with your other issues.

The mix you want to use is...

2 L WATER
1 TSP POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (NO SALT Salt)
1/2 TSP SODIUM CHLORIDE (HIMALAYAN PINK SALT)
1 TSP SODIUM BICARBONATE (BAKING SODA)
1/2 TSP MAGNESIUM SULPHATE (EPSOM SALTS - FOOD GRADE)

1 hour ago, SuziDavis said:

Epsom salt, Pink Salt, "No Salt" Salt & baking soda make a very good electrolyte drink, taste like salty tears, but it works.

Tastes like salty tears... HA! That really made me laugh for some reason. The amount of thought, timing and effort that goes into feeling just half way normal makes everything taste like salty tears.

4 hours ago, LindsayT said:

Have you tried Miralax for the Constipation?

I haven't because when I called the PA, he said to use Benefiber 2x a day, 1 Colace 1/day, and 5mg of Bisacodyl at night. However, that seemed like a lot. So I'm only doing the Benefiber 2x a day. This has helped me move up to 1 bowl movement/day. I'm not in pain or anything, but I thought that since I was going only once every other day, maybe that was exacerbating my stall.

4 hours ago, LindsayT said:

Have you tried Miralax for the Constipation?

I haven't because when I called the PA, he said to use Benefiber 2x a day, 1 Colace 1/day, and 5mg of Bisacodyl at night. However, that seemed like a lot. So I'm only doing the Benefiber 2x a day. This has helped me move up to 1 bowl movement/day. I'm not in pain or anything, but I thought that since I was going only once every other day, maybe that was exacerbating my stall.

Have you tried Colace? Or Dr Tobias colon cleanse (I SWEAR by this stuff, but I only use it as needed to get things moving. I don't do it as a cleanse). I am OBSESSED with Propel. I drink one every day. On big workout days, I drink 2. Try diet apple juice (it can be hard to find, but if you can, definitely grab it). I also use psyllium husk. It works REALLY well. Takes about 2 days (so I use the Dr Tobias to get things moving and then the psyllium husk to keep it moving) and I've really liked it.

I've had good luck with electrolyte drops, Keto Chow brand, ordered online.

Years ago, a doctor unofficially recommended 8 oz tonic water 30 minutes before bed for cramping legs (because of the quinine). Worked like a charm. Of course that's carbonated, but maybe you could shake it up and let it "flatten" first?

2 hours ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

Have you tried Colace? Or Dr Tobias colon cleanse (I SWEAR by this stuff, but I only use it as needed to get things moving. I don't do it as a cleanse). I am OBSESSED with Propel. I drink one every day. On big workout days, I drink 2. Try diet apple juice (it can be hard to find, but if you can, definitely grab it). I also use psyllium husk. It works REALLY well. Takes about 2 days (so I use the Dr Tobias to get things moving and then the psyllium husk to keep it moving) and I've really liked it.

1 hour ago, BranD said:

I've had good luck with electrolyte drops, Keto Chow brand, ordered online.

Years ago, a doctor unofficially recommended 8 oz tonic Water 30 minutes before bed for cramping legs (because of the quinine). Worked like a charm. Of course that's carbonated, but maybe you could shake it up and let it "flatten" first?

I started the Propel today. We'll see how I do tonight. I drank one 16oz bottle of propel and have had three 16oz bottles of water. Maybe I'm just confusing my body by drinking Benefiber, lowering my sodium, then drinking propel, then cutting back on water... I'm trying to find some equilibrium here... it's difficult... but thank you all so much for your help... i truly appreciate it ?

chronic constipation is a common issue after bariatric surgery. A lot of us do take a capful of Miralax every day to keep on top of it - others take Colace (stool softener), Benefiber, smooth move tea, etc (or some combo of these) - whatever works for you.

On 7/21/2023 at 4:28 PM, kawzican said:

Tastes like salty tears... HA! That really made me laugh for some reason. The amount of thought, timing and effort that goes into feeling just half way normal makes everything taste like salty tears.

For Real!!!