Constipation, Can't Go Without Laxatives

Hi everyone, I'm new to the board and tried first to search for answers to this question, but was unable to view the posts, so please forgive me if I am asking a redundant question. I'm 14 months out from the RNY and have lost pretty much all the weight I wanted to lose (195 lbs). My problem is that I just DON'T have BMs unless I use a senna laxative, and even with the laxative--which I have to take every night--I sometimes don't go for 5-6 days. Sometimes I even have to use enemas and they barely help. I thought with the shorter intestine things are supposed to get through quickly. I'm not feeling like the "reduced absorption" portion of my surgery is happening since the food stays in my system for a week! I eat my vegetables, drink my protein, take my vitamins, don't eat much meat at all (only eat ground meats anyway), drink plenty plenty of liquids, and yes I am eating enough that stuff should be coming out! My digestion or lack of it has been like this the entire time, its nothing new. Yes it was like that before surgery too, thought it would get better! Was actually looking "forward" to the dumping syndrome! I'm interested in hearing if you had this experience and what you did to get past it. Or did you have to learn to live with it? I don't want to face the rest of my life feeling like this... Thanks so much for your help! Shadoe

I'm about two years out. I have to drink a lot of water and occasionally I use a glycerine suppostory to get things moving. If you eat yogurt, put some flax meal in it every night. That is a very good thing and it's full of Omega 3's. I guess some people use stool softeners. If there isn't enough water in your system you most definitely will get constipated. Janet

I went thru this for several months and ended up doing so much damage internally that I had to see a colon/rectal surgeon. Finally after trying every remedy~over the counter and prescription~I was put on Zelnorm 2x's a day and that REALLY helped! I was also taken completely OFF of any protein shakes and bars~come to find out that for some people these are not fully digested and just clump up in the system not allowing anything to move. I am able to get all of my protein in thru foods anyway and that's what my bariatric surgeon prefers. I still take 3 stool softeners every night and the c/r surgeon put me on Fiber One cereal daily b/c he wanted my fiber intake to be around 30gm per day and that's hard to do on a wls diet. I hope you can find some relief soon! I know how painful this problem can be. Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Forgot to add that I had to up my water intake to 100oz per day. Hope this helps! Tracy B

Like you I had the problem before surgery and it got worse after surgery. I talked to my PCP who has a lot of WLS patients about this and was told to take 2 stool softners every day and Senokot if necessary. The stool softners have really done the job for me. I might take the Senokot every other month when things get stopped up, but it's rare now days. I was told the stool softners were fine to take forever if I need them. I may not go to the bathroom every day but when I go it's not a strain. I used the Senokot (took 3 one night-no action so I took 3 the next morning) to get myself cleaned out. Then started taking two stool softners every morning. I told my brother-in-law about the stool softners since he had a lot of problems with bowel movements and he started taking the stool softners. He said he is regular for the first time in his life. Hope you find the right solution for you.

I also have this problem. I take two chewable fiber tablets daily, 1 heaping tsp of flax ground seed in yogart, and one stool softener. I don't know if this is over kill or not, but seems to work for me and keeps me pretty regular. Sara

I've always had this problem, but it got worse following WLS. I try different things at different times, but stool softeners are a part of my daily routine (3-4 per day****asionally, if that isn't enough, I also drink an herbal tea called "Smooth Move," and that usually does the trick for me. On occasion, I also use the stool softeners that have a gentle stimulant laxative in them. As for my diet, I try to eat a lot of salad and fruit (although I'm known to slack off on the fruit and I shouldn't). Also, I try to eat higher-fiber foods. I found a really good bran muffin recipe on the back of the "Hodgson's Mill" oat bran cereal (in the hot cereal section). You can adapt the recipe for bananas, apples, blueberries, and it's really a pretty good bran muffin recipe (doesn't taste like you're eating twigs!). This is a problem that I just have to continually work at. I tried to get my doctor to prescribe Zelnorm, but he wouldn't do that until I had a colonoscopy, and I decided I wasn't ready for that yet! I know, I should have had it, but just couldn't face up to it! Good luck getting this under control, and congrats on your tremendous weight loss success! Carlita

have you tried a daily fiber supplement or bar? Benefiber or Fiber Sure can be put in anything. For a fiber bar the new GNU brand has great tasting bars. The have several flavors, are all natural, and low carb and calorie. I love the cranberry orange. If your problem is all the time like mine is, you should talk to your doctor about perscription meds. I suffered for 3 months until they put me on Colyte powder. I use 2 tablespoons in 64 oz of water a day. I sip it throughout the day or sometimes add it to crystal lite orange or lemondade or to my protein powder. This was perscribed by a Gastro doc who says it is safe for me to take from now on. I haven't had a problem since. Cathy

I didnt even realize how consitipated I was. after my 4th!!!! illeus/partial bowel obstruction requiring hospitalization, I took my CT scans to the gastric bypass surgeon,. I thought that even tho I would get constipated, i would occasionally get diahrea, so I thought I was clearing out w/ the diahrhea. well, he said what is happening is I get so constipated that only fluid can go through, and that is where the liquid stools are coming from. my CT scan showed my intestines were literally full of $#!t he put me on a program of taking pericolace, started w/ 3 a day the first week, then 2 a day, now I am on 1-2 a day and if I dont go to the bathroom I have to take more. I asked him if I would get dependant on the pericolace and he said no. in thinking about it, I could have done very serious damage to my bowels, or needed surgery, and taking pericolace daily is a small tihng to do. I wasnt going anyways, so if I am dependant on the pericolace to go, well, that is irrelevant. I get lots of fiber, aim for 25 grams a day and with my kashi cereals I am sure I get at least that much and drink a lot of water as well. my iron also has a stool softener, but still constipates me and the citracal constipates me even more. some times I have to skip a couple days just so I CAN go to the bathroom. I thinkit is important to work with your doctor on this. costipation increases the risk of colon cancer, diverticulitis, and bowel obstructions/impactions. It needs to be taken care of. HUGS - feel better soon!

Hi! I've always had a problem with this before and after my surgery almost 4 years ago. But about a month ago I started eating the new yogurt Dannon has come out with called Activia, it is suppose to regulate your digestive system and it has worked wonders for me. I've never been this regular before. Plus it helps us get some extra calcium. Now my daughter who has the same problem, but is naturally thin, eats it and it has helped regulate her. Can't promise it will work for everyone but it's worth a shot and it tastes pretty good too! Jen