Question on "back up" It's gotta go!

Hello Everyone, This week I'm going in for tests on my colon & upper GI series for my small re-routed intestine. This is a pretty gross subject but wanted to throw this out there for those who are over a year out... Do any of you "poo" regularly?   I've always had "back up" since the RNY surgery however I can go over a week without going... Usually I need some "help" in this dept with taking an over the counter... It's so bad my lower back hurts, my tummy bloats out like a balloon etc... I also feel very run down & "sick" GI Dr says it's because it's becoming toxic. I eat pretty much vegetarian.. lots of fiber & definately get my allotment of liquids in.. so feedback from my PCP & WLS Dr's is off to the GI specialist... for some tests.   Thank GOD I have vaca this week.  I'll be going on a liquid fast for 2 days... no solids along with liquid fleet to get things cleared out.... Ok... I may only be able to eat around 1/2 cup of food or so... but I will miss solids... back to protein shakes (BLECK!)  Good thing is maybe I'll lose those stubborn 5 pounds...     I've been on Miralex  (dr's orders) & just finished a 7 day "flush" to see if it'll kick start my engines... thankfully the gates of heaven opened this morning!  LOL!!  Sooo for the gang that is farther along with their WLS... do you have this little plumbing problem also or am I an exception? Sorry for the gross-ness... tried to be as delicate as possible on the subject. Thanks all, Mickey

HI Mickey, I'm the complete opposite.  Probably because I had irritable bowel before surgery and also had my gall bladder removed during surgery as well. Calcium supplements can really bind you up, also.  You'll have to keep up with some form of fiber supplement to keep things moving.  I guess the newly over the counter "miralax" is amazing.  Doesn't glump up and is tasteless.  But, if your GI has ordered something, it's up to them what you want. Make sure you also get in all of your H20. Maybe some added fat will help grease things up. Good luck! paula

Hi Mickey, I'm 3.5 years out (March 2004) and it's only been the last 6 months that this problem has seemed to level out for me. For the first 2 years I was on daily Colace, otherwise I was in deep doo-doo (literally).  I have gradually cut back so that I'm just taking 1 a week and will wean myself off of it completely before my 4 year anniversary.  This is a medical issue that needs to be discussed, so don't feel embarrassed about bringing this up!  I credit a very healthy eating regimen with at least 3 servings of fruit a day to getting regular - oh, and lots of exercise, at least 5 times a week, to really keep things moving along.  And lots of water (I drink 70 oz. a day).  Best of luck with this and let us know how you fare with the GI work-up. Maureen

I had my surgery July 04.... RNY I must be one lucky duck. I did have "issues" early on... say for about 3 months. I then, when it was appropriate stage-wise... decided... to veggie juice. Well that did the trick. I don't know why though... and am wondering in the part of your post where yo  mention  your doc gaving you a flush to help whether there is a connection here with my juicing. It did flush me out the first time. Well the juicing (not V-8!) juicing from a machine with raw veggies and minimal fruit (apple) did it for me. I am wondering now if it changed the environment in my intestines Fauna and Flora combo balance. I am now a very very regular releaser of waste. May not have perfect abs, or might have shar pei legs... or as I recently read  size 34 long breasts... but my intestines work perfectly... gotta love my body for that. Thank them each and every time! Oh.. and exercise.. that  makes a difference for me too. and hydration of course. I now suppose I have given too much info for my closest friends to know! Good luck. T.

Thanks everyone for posting your thoughts and what you do currently. Been on Colase... nadda thing happened I work out 6 days a week strength training & cardio every day.  (Except this week I have to lay off due to the upcoming procedures) will walk though. I get over 64 oz's of fluid daily into me... I eat pretty much nothing but fruit, veggies, & high fiber/dense foods SOOOO not sure what "back up" plan the GI specialists, DR. B, or my PCP will come up with after the tests this week. Worst case scenarios they said... "kink in the intestine or a twist... my intestine that is rerouted attached to the bowl... or to my hernias that I had repaired last year...  Hopefully it'll just be a new dose of super poo flusharoo to keep things moving along daily...  Tomorrow I start my "flush" & liquids OH JOY.... two days worth of crankiness & protein shakes.. LOL I'll let ya'll know the results...& thanks again, Mickey  

Hi Mickey...I had my surgery this past July...I'm having some issues also...I have tried Milk of Mag...and Colace....they went right through me and I actually had 'dumping syndrome' from them...I was in the bathroom for quite a while then bed for a few hours....the only thing that seems to do the trick for me is add a wee bit of fat to my diet....fiber means nothing to me...I also exercise daily and drink lots of h2o...I think this happens more than we all would like to admit!!  Good luck sweetie and let us know how you make out!!