constipation.....help

mama59 · April 25, 2008

I am 4 days post op. Things have gone pretty well. I was in misery the first two days with neck, back and shoulder pain. I took the liquid Vicodin every 4 hours which helped alot along with the heating pad. I did two full days of clear liquid and have advanced to some very thin cream of wheat this morning, baby food applesauce and creamy vegetable Soup for lunch. I feel relatively good and haven't had pain meds all day. I took some Milk of Mag yesterday without results and took a glycerin suppository about 30 minutes ago with no results. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments. I think I would feel less bloated if I could only "poop" if you know what I mean....Maybe with liquid diet there is not enough in there? I hear my tummy growling and I have hunger pain. Anyone else have this going on?:thumbup:

danyel723 · April 25, 2008

Hey Mama! I have always had problems with Constipation, I would go days without going. Not that you want to know that, but I started taking a probiotic pill about 2 months ago and let me tell you that is a magic pill. It is the same thing that is in the activa yogurt. I am not being banded till wednesday the 30th so I'm not sure if you can take it right after. It is worth the chance to ask your doctor though. The pill is a very tiny,tiny so I don't see that it would be a problem getting it down. But ask your doctor to be on the safe side. I found them at whole foods and it is their brand about 25.00 for a 3 month supply. Like I said I don't think I could live without them. Let me know what happens.

susansilver · April 25, 2008

Also Benefibre or its equivalent mixed into your Water or juice. It is completely tasteless. I did not poop for 2 weeks post op and about 2 months later found myself in the ER with severe stomach pains. AFter tests including CT scan they told me I was severly constipated and it had "backed up" (sorry to be so graphic). It is really important that you start taking care of that function now.

rosiered · April 25, 2008

I can't tell you without grossing you out how awful my Constipation was. It wasn't bad until about 2 weeks post-op and I can't tell you how long I used to sit there waiting for something, anything to happen!!!!

I started taking Milk of Magnesia b4 going to bed and it really started helping. Now I try to make sure there is Fiber in my diet and that helps but I still need the MOM every now and then. Just be sure to do something before it causes problems.

Good Luck !

Edited April 25, 2008 by rosiered

aubrie · April 25, 2008

during liquids or mushies, try a few ouces of prune juice before bedtime. My doc recommended that. sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Milk of magnesia works pretty good in an emergency. Once I was on solid food, I still had problems. My doctor then said to eat 3 or 4 grapefruit sections every day. Make sure you peel the pithy film off each section. You won't be able to chew that part well enough. It works like a charm. The Activia yogurt works too.