Constipation ... PLEASE HELP

Hello wonderful people –

Is there anyone out there that can help me with any tips on how to get rid of these constant constipation issues? I can’t keep popping laxatives weekly and drinking herbal tea and lemon daily as I don’t go but once and this has been for the last three weeks (since I started on my meds), I have suffered from constipation every week and it is MISERABLE. I am less than 2 months post op VSG and this has been the worse. Would love any suggestions, PLEASE. Thank you in advance. 

I have not had this problem personally at all but have read a lot on here about people who do and most seem to take Miralax and/or Milk of Magnesia and stool softeners regularly or drink smooth move tea. Are you getting enough liquids? Some veggies? You mention your meds - do they cause constipation? What meds are you talking about? I also understand that iron supplements (certain kind) cause constipation as does Calcium. Like I said, I have not had this experience personally - lucky I guess - but lots of post ops have and I am sure many will chime in with personal experiences and advice.

Hope it all works out. Must be icky.. sorry!

Miralax or the OTC equivalent, stool softeners, MoM for immediate relief.

I also find that romaine lettuce is good, as is a good strong cup of coffee.

I take miralax every day. Every morning.  2 capfuls a day is what works for me. I do drink art least 100 oz of liquid every day. Or more. Plus i don't limit fat in my diet. 

This topic has been covered many, many times so you might want to search for other messages on this topic.  I know exactly  how you feel.  I had problems with constipation for a long time.  I'm almost 7 years out and found a solution for me.

I chew 6 Fiber Gummies per day.  They do have 5 calories per serving which is 2 but they have 5 grams of fiber.  I also add a powdered fiber product to my shakes or you can add to water.  I use Miralax or the generic version occasionally.  Recently, I started taking one or two Sennokot tablets at bedtime.  Someone on the board mentioned they take them every night, but I don't.  Some use Ducolax but it gives me terrible stomach cramps.  The Sennokot has worked best.

The perfectly good plumbing system that you had before surgery no longer works well.  I have a whole arsenal of things to make sure things work.  I have used laxatives, smooth move tea, fiber capsules, probiotics, ex-lax, Imodium, fleet enemas, Mirolax, MOM, and suppositories.

Depending on what is going on that day.  I very rarely miss a day of having a bowel movement.  I accept that the old system is gone and I now do whatever it takes to be comfortable.

I am almost 4 years & 200 pounds out from VSG. I have hod the same problems over the entire time. My GP started me on a new drug, Linzess, & is seems to work well . No cramping, etc as with some of the other solutions. 

Good luck. You may have to try some things in combination, but talk to your bariatric doc or his staff .

I take about a half cupful of Miralax mixed in with my morning shake five days a week.  I also take two Fiber Gummies daily.  

Drinking plenty of fluids is important too.  If you're drinking less than you should, it will exacerbate the problem.

Are you eating a low-fat diet? If so, the solution might be as simple and increasing your fat intake. The human body needs 30-40 grams of fat every day in order to function well, including pooping. Are you taking calcium and iron? Both of these can cause constipation, but they're vital, so we have to take them. Try taking magnesium with your calcium---it will both help you absorb the calcium, and cut down on the constipation.