Anyone have a problem with Constipation about 3 weeks post-op?

I am having a MAJOR problem. I am using the Benefiber, I am eating purreed food. And drinking. Anyone have any ideas? I am also still on Lovenox (blood thinner injection.)

I definitely had this problem for several weeks and sometimes still have it now occasionally.  I used Miralax as per my doctor.  It may take a day or 2 or 3 to work but it does work.

yup i did...and do...... i took a dose of milk of magnesia and it took care of the problem within hours.

Thanks alot! It's been like 4 or 5 days since I went.

I am not sure how to help you with your problem, hopefully it will get better!   I have the same surgeon you do - so far I like him (only had 1 appointemnt with him)   I go for my major testing next Friday Jan. 4th, and then to the office to begin the Medifast - any tips on how to get through that?

Anything else you would like to share would be appreciated!   Thanks!

Michelle

 

I still have a problem 7 months out.  Just remember your system has had a major change and you are not eating alot...so, you may not go every day.  Its the high-protein diet that reeks havoc.  Now, that I have broadened my diet a little...my problem is a little better.  Keep the faith..it will get better. Rosemary

Tinamarie, I didn't have problems that early out with constipation, but I do now.  I use Miralax almost every day and it really makes a difference.  Nothing else helped me out as much. Good luck to you, Sue

CONSTIPATION *COMMON POSTOP FOR LIFE OF MANY WLSERS!*

 

Constipation can be from so many things including BUT not limited to:

 

~1) FLUIDS: simply from not getting in enough fluids... So first before you do anything ask yourself? Am I drinking at least 64 oz a day (8 cups)...If not try increasing and see if this helps. Look at this neat hydration calculator! It may open your eyes! It says I need 117.5 oz day (I do get that too still not enough for me!) http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

 

 

 

~2) EXERCISE: Get moving! I do 30-60 min cardio a day + wts. Yes it helps! Start somewhere!  Something is better than nothing!

 

~3) FIBER: We get constipated because our diet is now volume in general & lower in fiber especially due to lack of tolerance also (less fruits and veggies).

 

So many try increasing fiber by using benefiber (non swelling/no taste) or some like liquifiber at Vitalady: http://tinyurl.com/5edxn  I have used Metamucil caps in past but I DO NOT RECOMMEND it is a SWELLING FIBER  & may NOT be good for pouchie! ***We do not want to stretch it!!! *NOTE BENEFIBER MADE MY CONSTIPATION WORSE LIKE A BIG CONCRETE brick to pass!!!*

I swear by Flax Seed ground. I get mine here: http://www24.netrition.com/now_flaxseeds_page.html

 

I started with 1T ground a day (in yogurt, shakes or on my salad it has slightly nutty flavor) now I am up to 1T three times a day. The benefits of flax are so much more than just for fiber!!! Read for more info! http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/flaxnut10.htm (A lower risk for heart disease, Prevention of some forms of cancer, Treatment of immune disorders, Diabetes helps in stabilizing Blood Sugars, Relief from constipation) http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/faq.htm You can also buy it in GNC, health food stores, Wal-Mart has it in vitamin aisle and baking aisle. KEEP refrigerated for longest shelf life and so it doesn’t go rancid! It has to be ground (bought that way or ground in Magic Bullet or a small coffee grinder for the benefit ok!)

 

 

 

 

 

~4) OTHER NUTRITIONAL/SUPPLIMENT CAUSES: Higher protein (in diet and shakes), Calcium Citrate (form we need to absorb after bypass), Iron supplementation can all add to the constipation scenario postop (things we need!).

 

 

 

Different forms of Iron are more constipating than others (Ferrous sulfate for instance AVOID!!! Many feel carbonyl iron like vitalady’s tender iron http://tinyurl.com/3ve5x , ferrous gluconate *I get OTC at Wal-Mart just ask pharmacist, ferrous fumarate, polysaccharide iron are less constipating).

 

 

 

Another solution Magnesium: HERE IS JULIA Z’s recommendation: Magnesium as magnesium citrate or amino acid chelate 400-1000 mg a day. OK to take with calcium but not with iron. Can be taken all at once or throughout the day. Start out with 200 mg and increase dosage every few days until the desired level is reached; decrease dosage slightly if loose stools result. Preferred dosage is 1 part elemental magnesium to 2 parts elemental calcium or 1000 mg magnesium to 2000 mg calcium, but this ratio is not accurate for each person. Increasing the dosage until you get loose stool and than backing off a little seems to work best for most people.

 

 

 

IF still NO GO: my surgeon recommended Colace. It is an over-the-counter stool softener. Try it once a day and increase to 2-3x if needed. (It is cheap too, buy the generic brand, docusate sodium)...

 

 

 

If this is ineffective, my surgeon said I could use a gentle suppository (such as glycerin, ducolax or the generic form)....only to get things going, they can get habit forming so be careful. It is always best to ask your surgeon or MD about his but this is what I have been told. I use Colace 2x a day, it does help (with my flaxseed)

 

 

 

I also have used Milk OF Magnesia a few times week if needed.

 

 

 

My Clinical Nutrition/Bariatric MD prescribed Miralax (generic is glycolax) works great also (I used a few times for months on end when needed now mostly 1-5x month in severe cases w/ some bloating but no taste!, it is a powder mixes in water great!) They say can be used long-term! It is now available OTC as well.

 

 

 

Many swear by Smooth move tea, it is just senna in a tea (you can buy senna tabs OTC also called SENOKOT Tablets:  Each tablet contains 8.6 mg sennosides.). Or ingredient in: PERI-COLACE® TABLETS (Purdue Products) docusate sodium and standardized senna concentrate  (so is a stool softener and laxative in one!) http://www.tealand.com/SmoothMove.asp  BY: Traditional Medicines in Health food, Wal-Mart of many health food aisles of grocery stores!

 

Contents: Active Ingredient: 20mg. Sennosides A & B per cup from senna leaf. Other herbal ingredients: Licorice root, fennel seed, orange peel, cinnamon bark, coriander seed, ginger rhizome, natural orange flavor. Directions for use: Pour 8 oz. of boiling water over one tea bag and steep, covered, for 10-15 minutes. Adults and children over 12 years: Drink 1 cup before bedtime. If necessary, repeat the next day not to exceed 4 cups in 24 hours.

 

 

 

A few prunes (3) also have helped me in a pinch…few times a week (watch cal/carbs)…Some gain w/ carbs/sugar or get triggered hunger! It has been ok w/ me as it is seen as medicine and used accordingly!

 

 

 

 

 

Just my thoughts/ideas! I do Exercise/Water/Colace 2 day/Flaxseed 3T total a day and it generally is ok, only needing MOM 1x week or 3 prunes 1-2x week! J

 

 

 

Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005  Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Flaxseed is the best!  2T in fage-type fat-free yogurt, 1 packet Splenda, sometimes some strawberries, and I'm in heaven, taste wise and bathroom wise!

Yep I had the same thing. Benefiber didn't do squat for me I went with the MOM (Milk of Magnesia) and then started taking Colace on a daily basis--since then no problems.