Bathroom issues

I was having a hard time having a bowel movement. I took some philips milk of magnesia and some colace. I had a small movement but it was extremely dark almost black and very bad odor. Excuse me for being so explicit but, I need to know. Has any of you had similar issues.

The first few weeks after surgery your bowel movements will be abnormal.  The blackness was likely blood that had collected in your intestinal tract from the cutting.  Sometimes it will have aa greenish color.  As you lose weight it may look gray, almost white.  This is a result from the liver working overtime to process out the fat you are losing.    

The odor is from undigested food going directly into your intestines from your pouch. Before surgery, food was broken down in your stomach by gastric juices before it entered your intestinal tract. The majority of that stomach acid has been bypassed. The food you eat spends very little time in your pouch and is not broken down adequately.  Your intestines are working extra hard to get that food broken down, causing the odorous gas and abnormal BMs.  It does level off and you will reach a new normal.

If you are experiencing pain or fever with the abnormal BM's contact your surgeon.

Thanks a mil you put me at ease

Rocky,

when you say a few weeks after surgery do you mean three or so?  I am a little over 6 weeks out and the only time I can have a little bowel (and I do mean a little) movement is when I do a enema.  I know as soon as my husband had this surgery he would go after every meal and sometimes even more than that! lol  Is this normal or will it get better on it's own or should I worry since I am 6+ weeks out?  I don't see my doctor again until next month but maybe I should make a special apt.  Thanks for your help!!!

You may have to add some Benefiber to your day.  I take two doses (morning and night)  I also take extra Magnesium citrate (started with 500 mg and increased to 1000 after a bowel obstruction).  

Some people take Miralax daily.  It's not habit forming and works gently.  Miralax did not work for me, but it helps a lot of WLS peeps and worth a try.  

I would not rely on enemas.  That can be habit forming and not in a good way.  

When you are able to eat more veggies your bowels will get with the program.  Right now, you are living on protein and vitamins, no fiber.  

Thank You so much for your response!  I will take your advice and give the benefiber and Magnesium citratre a shot! Do you take the liquid (I think it's carbinated) or do you use a powder and put it in your drinks?  

I take tablets.  Magnesium Oxide will work too, but Magnesium Citrate works better.  You will have to experiment with the dosage.  You WILL know if you take too much.

Thank You so much for all your help!  I will give it a shot and I guess if it doesn't work I will have to talk to the doctor... Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Miralax Here!!! Love the stuff! Tastless & effective!

I use Miralax daily too. To get everything started in the beginning my dietician told me I could take up to five doses in two days until I felt I was caught up. It worked though the first couple times the BMs were kinda gross bc the Miralax turns into a gel, so when the BM is mostly gel...

At three months (5/19) I'm allowed to add back fiber. Pre surgery I had IBS-D pretty bad and used Heather's Tummy Fiber (Acacia). I'll try that in small doses and see how it works. It's pretty gentle, so we'll find out what works better. I just picked up three bottles of generic Miralax at Costco yesterday, so I have enough for a long time if it doesn't!