Constipation....

I am 4 weeks Post Op and I haven't been able to poop for over 2 weeks now. It's really painful and sore when I try. I took Colace but that isn't helping...What does everyone use to relieve this? Milk Of Magnesia?

Update: I did a Stool Softener and after experiencing an hour of  pain greater than the Post-Op Gas  I am happy to report that I am now unclogged!

 All I can tell you is that I swear by Miralax! 

I agree with Bette B. Miralax works wonders, just mix with water and no taste at all just like you are drinking your water.

M.O.M. is the only thing that ever works for me.  I usually take it at night and by morning everything is better.  Sometimes it may take 2 doses.

Constipation is very common with bandsters becuase we tend to eat a high protein diet with very little fiber.  You can add daily Soluable fiber and it will help, but I always forget to add it, so M.O.M. is my best friend even 2 years post op! 

Make sure you get 60 oz of no calorie liquids each day and that will help a lot too!

Hang in there!
Lisa O.

Yeah, I'm with you on this one!!  I'm six weeks post op and can count the number of times on one hand.  I take stool softeners, benefibre twice a day, glycerin suppositories if it's really nasty. I've also moved (no pun intended) onto liquid Senokot.  That worked the first couple of times.  Good luck!  I'm moving onto dynamite next.  lol

I have tried 6 stool sofeteners a day, a .5 mg laxative on the days I don't move (which is most) - this is what a doc told me to do when I went in for IBS, BTW...hmmm I have used Miralax with NO success...haven't tried the suppositories yet...have MOM at home (I think) may try that...am eating 3 prunes a day (60 calories for that but they aren't bad anyway), some almonds, at least one apple a day and just nothing has really helped...I THINK I might drop a 1 or 2...IF I could be regular...what's that????

2 weeks without a BM is serious. You need to get this sorted or it will get to the stage of needing manual assistance by a doc or nurse! NOT nice!!!

After 2 weeks, extra fluid or added fibre is only going to add bulk to already accumulated matter. You need stool softeners. Even laxatives are not of much use after 2 weeks as they can't get to  the  impacted material.

I don't know your brands in the US, our best one is called Movicol. Ask a pharmacist - and don't delay!!

Kate

Drink hot liquids, and run on a treadmill if you can...exercise helps get things moving too...

I have been having issues myself lately.....hope you get some relief ASAP!!

I EAT A FIBER ONE BAR EVERY OTHER DAY AND IT KEEPS ME REGULATED!! COLACE DIDN'T MOVE ME EITHER!!!

I really don't want to alarm you, but two weeks is a long time.  Especially if you are having alot of pain when you try.  I would call your surgeon.  A former boss of mine had this issue after taking Percocet and ended up in the hospital.  I'm sure you are not the first person dealing with this and it can't hurt to call him.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!