Hi-

I'm barely 36 hours post-op and already concerned about constipation. I'm usually very regular but I know that's connected to a diet high in fibers. I don't think I'll be having fibers for a while... I'd appreciate any tips you guys can share. I've never used a laxtive and know nothing about them.

Phil:frown:

Ask your surgeon what s/he recommends. If you are taking an opiod pain killer (like lortab or hydrocodone) you may be constipated. I never was; but I didn't go every day any more, either. (when you are on liquids, you don't have that much to "go". that isn't constipation, though) But if you are worried, rather than do what people here say their docs told them, just ask your doctor what he prefers.

Mine told us if it was a problem to call him and he would make recommendations; I'm sure yours feels the same. Some laxatives are habit forming, so it's best to go with what your professional tells you.

You can take Fiber supplements without taking an actual laxative. Laxatives are only for occasional constipation and if you use them regularly, your body could learn to depend on them. But fiber is a dietary supplement found in foods that EVERYBODY needs, so I'd say it's a good deal safer.

Fibersure is my best friend. LOL It's a powder that you can mix into a drink, to include Water. And there really is NO taste or texture to it at all. I usually put it into flavored water just because I get more liquids if they're flavored. Can't taste it at all, but LOVE the benefits. LOL

I had my surgery 10/29 and I now have diarrera. I'm calling my doctor in the morning to see what I can do for it. I have been farting a lot, and a few times I had to run to the bathroom or it would have been a mess. I know this sounds gross but we all do it. Hope you find the cure for your constipation.

Hi Restless, how have you been doing. Are you still losing weight good? I am not going to weigh myself until next Wednesday. Maggie:shades_smile:

Constipation after surgery is common. My surgeons' nurse explained all of this to me at my pre-op visit, so I was prepared. It is caused by gastrointestinal stress from surgery, high protein/low fiber diet and sometimes the medications we are given afterwards. I was told to try different things and find the thing that works for me.

Some suggestions were:

Milk of Magnesia (experiment until you get the smallest dose necessary to get the job done)

Miralax

FiberSure or any liquid fiber supplement

Prunes/Prune juice

(I was told to avoid the stimulant type stuff like Correctol, they can cause cramps and long-term use can be habit forming)

I started out using the Milk of Magnesia. It did the job but sometimes it would throw me into the opposite problem--KWIM?... I tried FiberSure and other fiber supplements and they just gave me way more gas which I did not need. I now use prunes or prune juice and that works great for me. Plus they are good for us and I think of them as a sweet treat. I have 1 or 2 prunes with each meal.

Edited October 31, 200817 yr by Jodi_620

I had my surgery 10/29 and I now have diarrera. I'm calling my doctor in the morning to see what I can do for it. I have been farting a lot, and a few times I had to run to the bathroom or it would have been a mess. I know this sounds gross but we all do it. Hope you find the cure for your constipation.

It could be due to your liquid diet, could also be the type of Protein shake you are using, I have a friend who has this problem on certain shakes high in fiber (fiber also causes gas).

Quite frankly, after being banded, I felt really grossed out because I wasn't going regularly- or my regular defecating would be once a week. I really went to my doctor and asked. Its because we don't eat as much as we did before... Good luck and don't worry too much.

Lani- banded January 18, 2007

Quite frankly, after being banded, I felt really grossed out because I wasn't going regularly- or my regular defecating would be once a week. I really went to my doctor and asked. Its because we don't eat as much as we did before... Good luck and don't worry too much.

Lani- banded January 18, 2007

You are absolutely right, going less frequently is normal in our case for the reason you explained and it is really nothing to worry about. I go about every other day now. But constipation is a different story and needs to be dealt with.