Question:
I am nine days out and I have only had one bowel movement since the day of my surgery
Is this normal? I had to take Milk of Magnesia to help me out four days out, and I took some today but nothing so far. I am still experiencing some pain in my lower back and under and incision in my stomach. What would you guys suggest? And should I just start taking Milk of Magnesia regularly? Sorry for the gross topic, but I need to know. — Red T. (posted on February 16, 2003)
February 15, 2003
I didn't go for 2 weeks after my open RNY last July. I was on liquids for
2 weeks after my surgery (and had been on liquids for 2 days prior to
surgery along with a bowel prep) so there wasn't any volume there to make
me go. I used no laxatives to make me go and when there was enough in my
body to make me go (after I graduated to pureed foods), I went *VBG*...
<p>
Now, seven months out, I go on the average of every other day (sometimes
more often, sometimes less). It all depends on how much roughage I get in
my system. They tend to be soft, but no diarrhea or constipation (which I
had had fun with pre-op with my Irritable Bowel Syndrome - which is no
more)....JR (open RNY 07/17 -152 lbs)
— John Rushton
February 15, 2003
You literally have nothing in your system to get rid of! Right now, it is
more important that you urinate regularly. Otherwise, it could be a sign of
dehydration. I am 15 months out now and eat regularly and "go"
regularly. When I was first post op, I was happen to go every three to four
days and that was even after I was moved beyond soft foods.
— Julie S.
February 15, 2003
Hi, I had the same problem in the beginning. It drove me crazy. I always
felt I was bloated and full. Even if I had a small bm. What I did buy was
PRUNE JUICE, This worked for me. At first I dranked so much I ran all day
long lol lol. But the next time I drank a cup or less and was ok. I keep
Prune juice in my refrig at all time. And I'm happy I don't have a BM
problem any longer. Hope this help.
— Naes Wls J.
February 15, 2003
Just goes to show you how unnormal my body has always been. 4 days post-op
the gates opened. Diahria at first but then settled out, but quite a few
times a day - and that was on jello and broth. I kept thinking how do you
produce stool on jello. LOL
<p>When I started with solid food the diahria came back with a
venegence for almost 3 days but is finally steeling down. Now most of the
time things are formed but I still go 2-3 times a day. Blows my mind
because I eat so little food, but that's just my constitution I guess.
<p>Some sort of fiber supplement would probably be good until you get
things regulated. Benefiber is supposed to be pretty good and mixes in
water. I used to use Metamucil and didn't have a problem with the taste or
thickness because I mixed it in very cold water - that really is the secret
with that product.
— zoedogcbr
February 15, 2003
I went at least 10 days without a bm. I started doing 4oz of prune juice
and it got me started. I stopped using it and now I'm only going every 4-5
days.
— Susan F.
February 16, 2003
Red, You still have a way to go. It took me a good month and then some to
get a bowel movement. Because our bodies are hardly getting anything in,
they figure, "What's to poop?" So we do not. In time things
will change. Good luck to you.
— Regina C.
February 17, 2003
I took orange-flavored Citrucell sugar free for the first 2 months to stay
regular and avoid constipation. Now I don't need it, but highly recommend
it for beginning. Even now, sometimes I'll take a glass of it. Tastes OK
and took care of the constipation pain. Just mix the powder with VERY cold
water and drink right away before it starts to thicken up.
— Kathy J.
February 18, 2003
I went through the same thing. Are you still taking pain meds? If so,
thats what slowed me down. Once I stopped them I started "going"
again. During that time though I used Duralax suppositories. For some
reason oral meds didnt work for me either, but the Duralax was very
reliable. I used it once every 3-4 days. Good luck!
— Jennifer J.
February 18, 2003
Hi, I am almost 5 weeks post-op from Lap Rny myself and I also did not go
to the bathroom for about nine days. I took Milk of Mag. and it did not
work the first night, my stomach and back only hurt like what you explain.
I then took more the next day around noon, and within an hour I was able to
go to the bathroom alot. I cleaned myself out. Then 6 days later I still
had not gone on my own, had to take MOM again this time it worked first
time within about 3 hours. I have to take that every week, if I do not my
body hurts and will eventually force a bowel movement around every 6 or 7
days. I recommend chewing FiberCon sugar free tablets as directed by your
dr. this helps to regulate it somewhat. So far I have to rely on MOM or a
forced movement. You are perfectly normal. Good Luck
— christy B.
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