Hey everyone

I was banded July 29th and (knock on wood) things are going just great! My surgery was a breeze and I have experienced very little pain. The gas has been minimal, and I am peeing all the time!

My question is... when will I have a BM? My Dr did not give me a stool softener but his nurse did ask me if he had. Why on earth would I need a stool softener when all I am consuming is liquid? My DH said why would you go if you haven't eaten anything but we all know & have probably been there. You still go.... it's just liquid! (TMI right! )

So... when did you all have your first BM post op? It's not out of fear or pain that I don't go either (like after you have a baby!) It's just not there! I'm not uncomfortable, just used to being VERY regular and I haven't had a BM since before the surgery.

Other than that I could not be happier. Ok, maybe a little happier if I could have something besides broth and Jello but I'll live until I get to the mushies!

Thanks in advance for all your insight!

If you are given an opioid pain reliever (like lortab, vicodin, hydrocodone) you run a big risk of constipation...even the liquid stuff backs up.

Yes by day 3 you should've gone SOMETHING. Even if it was liquid.

Since I didn't take but 2 doses (on day 2) of my opioid drug (darvocet) I had the other problem, mild diarrhea. But rather that than the other extreme!

So yes you should be going and if you haven't by Monday at the latest call your surgeon or take the recommended stool softener!

I just went this morning (day 5) for the first time. I haven't felt like I needed to, though.

I've been on liquids since the 21st, but when I've gone to the bathroom, it's been solid. Weird.

I'm on day six and started going just a little last night. this morning i seemed to be all back to normal. i think the lortab backed me up a little bit

I think I probably went around day 3 or 4. It definitely took a little while for me.

The longer you wait to go the harder it may be to go.And you wanna avoid straining as much as you possibly can. Colace is available over the counter if its what your doctor recommends. I know that I went home with a script for it.

And even though it's Saturday trying calling your doctors office. Someone should at least be on call to answer questions like this. Chances are they will have you start on whatever stool softener your office recomends today.

It took a awhile for me but I was taking the pain killers and I know that can cause constipation. I agree that you should start a stool sooner so when it dose work itself out it will be easier. Glad to hear everything else is going good.

Thanks for this post. I was banded on 7/30 and not had a BM yet either. Just some gas and peeing a lot. I figure it will happen when it happens.

I don't even want to tell you guys what happens if you wait too long and get too constipated. Lets just say it was one of the true "horrors" of nursing school and involves gloved hands and people's posteriors...and I'm not talking about suppositories or enemas.

so don't let it go too long!

Edited August 1, 200917 yr by RestlessMonkey

I flip-flopped between constipation and diarrhea for the first two weeks of post op. I recommend the benefiber tubes that you can mix in with a drink. Mix it with crystal lite. You can't even taste it.

Monday will be day 5 and I have not had a BM yet. I took some Milk of Magnesia on Saturday but have not seen any results.

Today is my 3rd day after surgery and I was having "poop pains"... I knew I had to go but I couldn't. As part of my clear liquoid diet I am allowed 100% apple juice, so I drank about 8 oz of it and a little while later I was having a bowel movement. I felt so much better after they have moved!