Optifast question

I am on day 7 of Optimax and very constipated. have ben adding fiber to the drinks and even a few stool softners but nothing is moving, including my weight. Any ideas form anyone out there who may have encountered the same?

My pre-op class recommended 2 Metamucil caps per shake and up to 4 per shake if needed.  Also make sure you are drinking enough liquids in addition to the shakes to keep things moving.  If it continues call your centre and see what they recommend.  Good luck!

When I met with the nurse she told me by the 3rd day to take 2-3 senokot if they didn't work then take some more.   When was the last time you actually had a BM.  I wouldn't be letting it go too much longer without seeking medical attention.  Otherwise you may have to have it removed manually (disimpacted) :-/ and enemas.

Not trying to scare you but it's not something you want to let go 

Hope things start moving for you.  I'd be taking 4 senokot before bed. If that doesn't work, go see the doctor tomorrow. 

Thanks for your kind replies. I will get senokot today and up the fiber. I was only adding a tsp of it a day.

I didn't have the constipation with the opti in fact I had the opposite the first 3 days. Now post op I did have a bad bout with it about 3 weeks ago. I let it go 3 days and I was in a bad state. I thought I was going to have to go to emerge. But eventually it did happen. Now if after 2 days I don't go I take something. And usually I do have to take it as I'm not going on my own. The nurse told me at my 1 month check up that I will probably be like this for the first 6 months. 

So needless to say senokot is my best friend these days, I use the inulin fiber as well buy it doesn't do the trick. 

Good luck, I would be taking them as soon as you get them. I know your only taking in liquids but 8 days is a long time to go without a BM. 

Just echoing what Zizzler said above.

I am in Ottawa as well, and they indicated that if you have constipation problems with the Opti, first make sure you are getting a lot of liquid in addition to the Opti. Second, don't wait! Start adding Metamucil capsules to each shake that you drink. I took 2 with each shake, and there were days when I increased that to 4 per shake and added Senokot as well.

Good luck. Take care of it on your own before you end up at Emergency and needing an enema. That would not be fun.

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

I think the senokot did the trick.  Now I just have to keep it moving.  :-)

So glad things have worked for you :-)

Now just keep on top of it, if by the 2-3rd day your bowels haven't moved take the senokot. This also applies post op. It only happened to me once and that was all it took lol. 

OMG, I start opti on Mon and I am terrified!I don't want those problems!

Tina everyone is different but if you find your constipated take the senokot by the 2-3 day.  Again this also applies after the surgery. I can always tell now if things are starting to back up.  My left side aches. 

I had the opposite when I took it, I didn't leave the house for the first 2-3 days. Then it was fine. 

Something else I forgot to add....

If you haven't had a BM like two days before your surgery take something to help you go. The last thing you want is to go into your surgery with having a BM 2-3 days prior to your surgery. You will end up constipated and gassy. Which equals more pain then you need to be dealing with.