I was banded on August 4 and followed a liquid shake diet for the first two weeks. In that two weeks I had one bowel movement.

On the 14th day I felt I really needed to go...I was hurting. I was glued shut like a steel trap. I've been constipated before but this was I may have to have an operation constipated.:biggrin::thumbup:

The night prior to the surgery, I had to have an enema. They were cheap so I bought several. Having an enema available on a Sunday night saved me. There cheap, so why not have a few around?

You should ask your surgeon about this. Ours told us most people even out but if necessary to let him know and he'd tell us what to use. Using enemas isn't a good option long term. You can become reliant on them.

Call your docs office tomorrow and ask. You don't need to be embarassed; that's a basic function and you won't be the first to ask.

I never hurt like I did thefirst time I had to have a BM post op. Now that I'm 4.5 weeks post op things are improving since I'm having food. I do try to get in extra water and have started eating prunes to help the situation out.

In the beginning I used Milk of Magnesia and if necessary suppositories to get me moving again. I was told that these products were fine (non-stimulant products). But I was warned not to use these products long term, basically it can cause your bowel to become lazy and you will become dependant on these products in order to be able to go.

I take Fiber regularly and I don't really need to use them anymore. It is healthy to get the extra fiber and it keeps your digestive system in check. I drink my Water all day long and in the evening I treat myself to a couple glasses of caffeine free/sugar free iced tea. When I brew the tea, I put in a couple of heaping teaspoons of Fiber Sure or Benefiber. It mixes very well in warm or room teperature drinks (not so well in cold drinks) and once it is mixed in you can't taste it at all.

Warning, if you are just starting on fiber, you may need some GasX for the first few days...the initial side affects to adjusting to extra fiber can be VERY painful gas-wise, but it doesn't last too long.

Edited August 19, 200817 yr by Jodi_620

u need to follow up with your doctor dont let yourself go without a bm that long u need to take something

Obstructions can occur from lack of bowel movements. If you get to impacted, your colon can actually burst and poison you in short order. DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THIS. I had this happend after a shoulder surgery a few years back. I was in the hospital longer with the impaction than I was with the shoulder surgery!!! Pain meds were the culprit. Now I avoid pain medication as much as possible. I just grit my teeth and bear it after the initial day or so. Tell your doctor about this immediately. You can really hurt yourself with this. There are several things he/she can do to help.