Magnesium citrate before surgery

I have to drink a bottle of this before surgery.  My surgeon wants me to take it at 8am tomorrow the day before surgery.....I was not aware of this plan initially and am working tomorrow.  I asked if I could take it when I got home and he said that is okay but I may not be completely cleared of all stomach contents by the time surgery starts and could be up all night in the bathroom.  Do you think it is okay to take this after work with my surgery scheduled at 8:30am the next day?  Just need some input from others who may have had to drink this stuff (I have no previous experience).

Thanks for suggestions as well as your ongoing education and support!



~~~Jennifer

Shouldn't be a problem. Stay on clear liquids all day and start drinking the mag cit as soon as you get home. I had to drink 2 10oz bottles starting at 4PM the day before surgery and I was cleared out by midnight with only a little the next morning. I got the cherry flavored and got it ice cold--drank it through a straw and did just fine.

--gina

Thanks Gina....that is what I was thinking.  Doing this at work would not be easy!  I had read on here that the cherry was the best to get so it is in the fridge as we speak!

Thanks again!

Yeah, my protocol was the same. Clear liquids all day, then some Milk of Magnesia in the evening and then nothing by mouth after midnight.

Just a word of warning if you have a slow system like me. Pre-surgery if I took anything like magnesium citrate or milk of magnesia, it was a 10 hour wait for any "action". The absolute worst thing might be having it hit you right when you arrive at the hospital. It isn't gut cramping or anything, so I would go ahead and take it mid-day and if you have a quick system, then it might work itself through you during the evening. 

Jessica, I am like you since RNY surgery.  In November I took Magnesium Citrate starting mid afternoon in preparation for a hysterectomy.  Well not much happened.  I called the hospital and was told to take a enema if I had not gone by midnight.  Well I had two enemas before I went to the hospital.  It made for a long, miserable night.  Later, my doctor said they had learned that bypass patients need to start prep earlier.

Slow systems can cause other problems.  I am told my packed up colon is pressing on my bladder making it leak.  So now I am trying to control that problem.  Long story and I will spare you the details, but 'slow' systems are a pain.

Ruby
RNY 3/11/2005
262/125/133
hi/lo/today    

I'm amazed that there is something I DIDN'T have to do.  But I have had it for a colonoscope and it was starting in the afternoon.  I think you will be fine.  Maybe start a little early.  I did have a day of clear liquids before surgery and thought I was going to starve.  After 4 weeks of liquid diet, I think it was a lot mind, not tummy. 
You are almost there.  Hang in there and you will be on the bench soon, very soon.

Thanks guys for the suggestions.  I am on clears all day tomorrow and with all the liquids these past days my stomach is already loosey goosey.  I think I will be okay to take it as soon as I get home.....I have to take the dog to be boarded and will take it right after that.  Will be glad to be on the losers bench soon.

Thanks again for the kind advice!