Hey all, I had my surgery 9-29-08 and doing ok, I just have not had a bowel movement since my surgery, I just took some milk of Mag. Has anyone else had this problem????? Is so what did you do???? Thanks Gigi

Hi Gigi, I had major problems with constipation for several months immediately following my surgery. Actually, the only thing that worked for me was the milk of magnesia. Hopefully, it will work well for you as well.

I just added Apple Juice to my fluid diet and it helped me with the bowel movements.

I did apple juice with Miralax in it.

If you get really miserable, try Glycerin suppositories. I've only had to use them twice but worked for me.

I eat about 4-5 prunes at least 3x's per week. And I find it helps.

I take one Colace capsule a day plus a strong cup of coffee helps.

My doctor said that it's normal to have less bowel movements cause I'm losing weight; therefore, I have less waste leaving the body. I drink lots of water in the evening and a strong cup of coffee in the morning and it seems to help with the constipation.

It took me 6 days after surgery to finally have a bowel movement, I took one dose of MOM and it worked, I only have a BM about every 3 days, but the doctor says that it is normal becuase we are taking in very little food. coffee works for me too, good luck it seemed like I just needed to get things going again, plus the pain medications make us constipated.

Good Luck

Veronica

I had the opposite problem for the first week after surgery. I just thought it was because I was only consuming fluids. Now, I go about every other day. :crying:

I had my surgery on Oct. 1st. I had one bm yesterday, but nothing else. I have been burping a lot and passing gas occasionally. Today my shoulder started to hurt. I was expecting that from the gas right after surgery, but for it to start now kinda surprised me. I have felt bloated all day today though. I don't know if it is gas or what. Anyway, I am taking colace 2x a day but I don't know how much it is helping. I do have a cup of warm broth in the morning and that usually helps with gas though.

I am still fighting with constipation.I have had it so bad my whole intestines hurt.What has helped me is taking my vitamins to make sure I get all the needed nutrients and this is a big one make sure you get your veggies in.While they yell eat your proteins we also need our veggies too.I use Bolthouse green goodness it looks gross taste great and has two servings of fruits and vegetables and I find it very filling.If all else fails use a stool softener.

I have to tell you .. I am not normally a person to suffer from constipation.. My surgery was on Wednesday and I had a bowl movement on thursday, but had not gone since, but really felt like I had to .. It was so bad to the point I was in pain .. Needless to say I called my doctor and he had another doctor on call.. How embarrassing it is to tell this story to a doctor ha ha, but I am sure they hear it all the time.. Anyways he advised me to get a fleet enema which I got from walgreens and it was the best 1.50 I have EVER spent.. I feel like a new person.. It was not the most pleasant experience and my hubby and I are now just THAT much closer ha ha, but I dont think I will EVER allow myself to wait that long again .. I am still not feeling 100 % because I tried to go for three days.. ANYWAYS sorry to be so gross, but who really would think a post about constipation would be pretty.. Remember pain meds cause constipation so try only take them when you have to.. Sadly I only took mine once max twice a day and I was this miserable. Needless to say I am going straight tylenol ha ha I hope everyone is feeling well.. take care

I really believe all bandsters should add Fiber to their diet. My favorite way is to add a LOT of Benefiber to at least one drink per day. It dissolves in everything, even cold liquids, and it has no taste and adds no texture. You really will have no idea it's there!

My second favorite way is with one of the sugar-free flavored Metamucils. They now have a mixed berry flavor and a lemon-lime (haven't tried it yet) flavor in addition to their original orange. It does, however, get thick after awhile, and it has a slight grainy texture. But I actually don't mind it because it helps me feel full in between meals without overstuffing me. Also, sometimes it's nice to "know" for sure that there's is fiber in what you're drinking!

Oh, though, beware, I recently bought the Benefiber plus Calcium, but it definitely has a slight taste. It's almost as if it tastes salty. So, I actually don't recommend that one as long as you take a calcium supplement separately (calcium citrate is best!).

I certainly don't have BMs as often as I used, and that is usually reflected in my weight, so I kind of keep a mental note. =) But adding fiber to my diet makes a huge difference.

Good luck!

I dealt with it for MONTHS after surgery... even while consuming prunes, apple juice, and TONS of fiber. My doc suggested Miralax 1x/day and that 'got me going.' I now only take it about 3x per week and I am regular all of the time. I tried EVERYTHING and did not want to get addicted to a laxative, so my doc said long-term usage of Miralax, if needed, was perfectly safe...

I've had the same problem since surgery. My surgery was on 9/12 and I had my first bowel movement about a week later, and the second last week. This is very unusual for me; I have always been very regular -- everyday at approximately the same time!! I have used Miralax and have also starting eating Activia yogurt. Hopefully, the yogurt will work as advertised.