Question:
Constipation.
I am having horrible constipation and in reading some responses, I think it is due to not drinking enough water. One of the readers wrote that your stool could harden up. i actually think that is what has happen to me. i have the urge everytime, but it feels so hard. I an increasing my water, but is there any other suggestions to speed this process up? — cbraxton (posted on July 1, 2008)
July 1, 2008
You don't say which WLS you had .......but if you are on a high protein
intake then you will continue to have that problem.....you need to add
fiber to your daily diet and also drink more water.....I would call my Dr
and ask what he reccommends as ther are some laxitives that they want you
to stay away from.......you might ask your pharamist to get you some
unifiber...I think it's the best and I use it nearly every day........hope
this will help with your problam...will say if you are that stuck now you
might also ask you pharamist which one he would reccommend to give you
immediate relief....then start adding it to your daily diet....Pam / Ft
Worth
Bandster Bites [email protected]
— pphillips4720aol.com
July 1, 2008
I had the same problem for a while. I use Benefiber everyday in each of my
protein drinks and do not have any problems any more. When I had
constipation, they recommended a Fleets enema but consult your doc before
doing anything.
Elaine
— Elaine L.
July 1, 2008
You have to drink at least 64 oz of water each day to help prevent this
problem.
For quick relief, you can do a mineral oil enema and then add a small
amount of fresh fruit and whole grains if your surgeon/nutritionist agree.
I can give advice, however, I am not a doctor... always best to check with
your doctor/pharmacist first.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
July 1, 2008
I had it bad also, but I had Lap Band and I used the yogurt with fiber in
it and I haven't had that problem since. It didn't take long either for it
to work. Good Luck...
— dyates2948
July 1, 2008
Hi Charnita,
Why not try Colace....which might soften your stool. Its worth a try.
Any brand will do. I use CVS brand and it works fine. Good Luck!
Joyce
— joycemarra
July 1, 2008
In addition to all of the above, my nutritionist thought it would help me
to switch from regular iron pills to "Slow FE". This seemed to
work for me (assuming you have to take iron supplements, that is.
— Donna_in_PA
July 1, 2008
I take a stool softener...colace. I also have to take Iron supplements
which will cause problems with constipation and the stool softener helps a
great deal. Try that for a couple of weeks and see how it goes. Of course
you still need to get in more fluids too so keep that up.
— deebunny38
July 2, 2008
Although they offer some great advice above, your problem is getting out
what now appears to be stuck. Taking fiber now will only bulk up what is
behind it. With your doc's permission try an enema or a glycerin
suppository to help lube the area. Also, a dose of Milk of Magnesia can
help stimulate your bowels to start pushing. Walking may help too. Try
introducing Activia to your daily diet, it is proven to be effective is
used daily for 2 weeks I believe. When you sit to eliminate, coat the area
with mineral oil or KY. Adding fiber to your diet depends on how far you
are out from surgery and what type of surgery you had. Remember, fiber
supplements add volume. When you have too much volume and things are not
moving, you get the cramps, bloating, pain etc. As a last resort you may
have to put a glove on and break it off as you push...sorry people, don't
mean to be disgusting but a sister is having a difficult time! The goal is
too get it out by any means. Btw, you may experience some sweating and
rapid heart rate while eliminating and feel like you ran a mile when you
are done. So rest and up and drink your water. Miralax taken once or
twice a week, even in a half dose will help draw water into your stools,
making them very soft and easy to pass. Too much can cause diarrhea . The
generic form of Miralax is still available by RX and can be much cheaper
than OTC Miralax if you have ins copays. I pay $10 vs Miralax $18. I pray
for a quick end to your situation. Sadly, I know how painful and
distressing it can be. Email if you have any further questions.
— texast
July 2, 2008
I had to have my lap surgery redone 3 weeks ago due to a virus and lots mo
vomiting. Following surgery I had INCREDIBLE
— jcghall
July 2, 2008
I had hip replacement surgery shortly after lap band, so I was heavy into
pain medication. It backed me up like a rush hour freeway accident. I
stopped the pain medication (with the exception of a tylenol/asprin now and
then) and have had no problems since.
— LEB
July 2, 2008
calcium can bind you as well as dairy...and if you are like many of us, we
didn't get much of those things and get ALOT now...Take magnesium oxide
tablets and you will not have constipation. It keeps your electrolyes
balanced too! Since I take two magnesium oxide (400 mg) I have NO trouble
for the last 4 months...
— .Anita R.
July 2, 2008
Sorry to hear about your discomfort. I had the lapband surgery in Jan 08
and I have had the same issue. Although I use benefiber in my protein
drink, I believe the constipation is a result of the chewable calcium. I
find that drinking the flavored water with splenda in it has a laxative
effect and keeps things moving along nicely, however, splenda increases my
appetite too. I also agree with the comment about exercise to get things
moving along.
— Bigwyfan1964
July 2, 2008
I use Colace. It works great. 24 hour relief.
— sagarmy
July 3, 2008
I use sennacot or the generic every morning with my vitamins. Colace made
things just gross!
— sportsnlaughs
July 3, 2008
Miralax, Colace, Metamucil, Benefiber, Fibersure... any one or combination
of the above. You can google them for the pros and cons of each, but they
all work by pulling or keeping moisture/fluids in stool and the colon.
My experience is that the above mentioned products work great to keep
things going... as a preventative...but aren't so great at getting things
unstuck once you're constipated. You'd probably do better with a laxative,
suppository, or enema if you are severely constipated.
I'd suggest talking to your doctor about this as well.
— mrsidknee
July 3, 2008
I use benefiber twice daily and also take colace. My constipation was
really bad after rny. It actually took 4 weeks before I was regular again.
The combination of the 2 really helped.
— aj3043
July 3, 2008
Laxatives can be habit-forming, however it is quite safe to take a Stool
Softener every day, which is what my Doctor told me to do. Just be sure you
buy a stool softener, not a laxative. I take 4 stool softener tablets a
day, plus try to get in my water and some Benefiber which is so easy to put
in drinks or food, it's tasteless and disolves. Since I started taking the
stool softener every day I am not longer having constipation.
— Gina S.
July 25, 2008
MY SURGEON AND NUTRIENIST TOLD ME TO HAVE MILK OF MAGNESIA ON HAND FOR WHEN
I CAME HOME , CONSTIPATION COULD BE DUE TO PAIN MEDS AND I HAVE BEEN ON
PAIN MEDS SINCE HIGH SCHOOL , AND NOW I AM 39 AND HAVE DEALT WITH
CONSTIPATION WITH CERTAIN PAIN MEDS. HOPE THIS HELPS .......
WENDY
— therealfroglady
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