Laxatives

All I can say is TAKE THEM!

Hi, when should we start? right after surgery? I have been thinking of Senokot? on a daily basis as I have read about the issues that a high protein diet can cause.

Right now I have the other problem on the shakes

Your surgeon will probably give you a prescription however I used Ducolax. Didn't take it for a week and boy do I ever regret it. 

This makes  me chuckle - but it's not a funny thing to have an issue with this. I had RNY with Dr. B. Part of the post op vitamin and mineral regieme includes Palafer once daily which is elemental iron. And boy o boy - is it constipating. Initially I used to take a swig of Magnolax now and then to keep me going. Then I decreased the iron to 3 times weekly as I wasn't "going" very easily. I had a post op complication a year after my surgery requiring open emergency surgery. (Petersen's Hernia). Long story short - a surgeon I had seen locally here when I first started getting sick advised me to rely on stool SOFTENERS - not stimulants. Stimulants can cause cramping and other issues. So I now take my iron every day like a good girl. I take Colace 100mg tabs - 2 of them twice daily. And the occasional swig of Mineral Oil - It's gross - but works. Everyone is different - just putting this out there!

I used the word laxatives but did mean stool softener. Ducolax is a stool softener. I remember reading on the forums about people having a problem but I really didn't realize how bad it can get if you aren't taking something. Lesson learned for me.

OMG...YES...I totally agree...I was in real pain and it was not a pretty sight...take something right from the day of your surgery if you can...just do it...better to not know what you missed out on!!!!!

i guess i have been very lucky, i have never had to use anything. so i consider myself fortunate cause most do?

Hi all - as an Emergency Department RN - I have had patients - and more than a few - come in with such severe constipation that it requires intervention from us.  People really get in a bad way. And I'm not talking about weight loss surgery people - just the general public. If you don't have issues - you are lucky - but do keep it in the back of your mind. Great topic guys! A lot of people aren't comfortable talking about it - but most of us can relate. Have a great day everyone!

Mary     I have ALWAYS loved that emoticon - must be the warped nurses humor in me!

I've had Lactulose prescribe before I was discharged from the hospital.  I was speaking with the pharmacist and she said it was a good one since you don't become dependent and it works with the water you drink so, you have to drink lots!!  I myself had a bad experience and was sure I had to go to the ER.

Sounds like my experience...debating to go to the hospital or not. I never, ever, want to go through that again.