Has anybody else had a problem with constipation? I've barely gone once since surgery and now that I'm mostly eating foods with some density I don't think that's healthy at all. I'm not uncomfortable or anything, but I'm starting to get worried. Should take a ex-lax? I bought some colace should I take that instead? Or should I just wait it out?

I think I went for 11 days after surgery without going! I was taking Hydrocodone for pain, so that realllly slows the system down. Prune juice or Plum juice, if you can stand the taste a bit, helped me somewhat. If you take those stool softeners remember you have to take a lot of water with them : )

Yes, I think you should take something before it gets worse. I took stool softners after surgery. I think it was about 3-4 days and I started to get worried it would hurt.

Many bandsters have constipation issues. I have been banded a year and a half, and it's something I have to be conscience of all the time, getting Fiber in.

My dr. had me take a colon cleaner before surgery so nothing would be in my bowel, so not having to go for a long while after surgery is normal. Also, if you've spent a long time after surgery on liquids, it'll be a while before you go. I know that my dr. told me to remember that I would be eating smaller amounts, therefore BM's would not come as frequently as prior to surgery.

Now that said, I have found that the papaya juice I drink for times I get stuck has had a wonderful effect on the bowel issue. Also, I love split pea Soup, so that too has been a good thing. I tend to avoid the pill form of taking care of constipation if possible. Usually Water and a really fibrous meal help me out.

Sorry for the TMI answer, but it was a TMI question...lol. :drool:

Annette

Hi youngNy. The chewable fiber wafers are pretty good as well.

4 ounce bottles of Gerber Apple Prune juice (on the baby food aisle) are pretty easy to get down and they help. I would take the Colace too just to get things going before you get miserable.

I was told to take Fiber daily (like Fiber Choice) and if I still feel constipated, use non-stimulant laxative like Milk of Magnesia but experiment using the smallest dose necessary to get a BM without severe diarrhea (they said to avoid ExLax, Correctol or others with stimulants )

I was told to take Fiber daily (like Fiber Choice) and if I still feel constipated, use non-stimulant laxative like Milk of Magnesia but experiment using the smallest dose necessary to get a BM without severe diarrhea (they said to avoid ExLax, Correctol or others with stimulants )

Exactly.... I use to take fiber pills daily before i was banded to help with my eliminations.... It helps in keeping u regular... I took milk of magnesia and it worked but does cause loose stool and it makes your butt hurt after the fact.. really unconfortable...lol... I would suggest taking fiber pills before u go to bed and trust me u will feel 10lbs lighter by the next morning...lol....u can get them from any drug store, or Vitamin shop also... the reg. fiber pills work better than the chewables to me....

I know your pain! I too had major constipation issues. I tried the stool softeners, fiber in every form, and the juices. Nothing!!! So, discussed with my lap band surgeon and primary care doc, and they both suggested Miralax. It finally took care of the problem. I've had to experiment on dosage as to not take too much, but enough to keep me regular. I have settled on a half a capful every other day. Now.......things are moving they way they should. Both docs assured me that taking it regularly will not be a long term problem. Discuss your issue with your physician and go from there.

I've also had issues in this area. I really like Fiber One products, I've used the yogurt and the bars. I actually had a peanut butter oat bar this morning for breakfast. The yogurt is good too, I've tried the vanilla, strawberry, peach , and key lime. I would not recommend the key lime, I thought it was pretty horrid. The yogurt has 80 calories and the bars have 150. If I ever drink a protein shake I always mix in 3 spoonfuls of Benefiber. If I get desperate I drink a little bit of Milk of Magnesia, good ol' MOM does the trick everytime!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I just took the colace, but I'm a little worried because I have to go work today until 7:30pm. But it says on the box that it should work in 12 hours so I should be home by that time. I just don't want to get diarrehea at work.:drool: If it doesn't work by the time I get home, I'll have to buy the Milk of Magnesia and I'll start some kind of fiber product. Is this an on going problem, something I'll have to deal from now on, or just a result from sugery?

Before banding I used to go religiously every day, sometimes twice. since banding it is a constant issue that I have to watch. I take MOM if it gets to bad. three or more days. but my doc recommended a few ounces of prune juice at bed time, and also to eat 3 or 4 grapefruit sections a day. The sections must be peeled so there is no pithy skin attached to get caught in the stoma. It's hard to chew. So far that has worked like a charm. it's been difficult to get used to the change. I also have more gas than I used to, so I can't do metamucil or anything. That gives me so much gas I double over crying in pain. whole foods work best for me.

I tried prune juice, prunes, fiber caplets, benefiber. Tried it all. Nothing seems to work as well for me as it does for others. The benefiber give me horrible gas. It's too embarrassing at work.

I eat fiber one Cereal and I think that works the best. And Kashi Crunch cereal has a lot of fiber in it too.

Myralax!!! Tasteless and textureless and works in 24 hours.

OMG....I had the worst constipation you could imagine....the doctors said it was from taking the percocet.... and not eating...anyway I took stool softeners and the pharmacist recommended miralax..then finally it broke free...good luck..It was miserable...

Holy Batman!! This is what I needed to know!!! I googled this problem and found this site....Thank GOODNESS! Now I know what to do to fix this and now I know this is common.....here I just thought it was me! I am new to all of this...banded on May 23.....and still on mushies!:cursing: