Question:
Post-Op Constipation and Opinions on Colonics
Has anyone else suffered bad constipation after being post-op? I had Lap Band on 1/23/09 and 2 weeks after surgery didn't have a single BM. I told my surgeon and he told me to start taking Colace every day and if it didn't work, then prune juice, Metamucil, or laxatives. I did the Colace and got back to normal... Until recently. Now it's been a week and I haven't really had any BMs, minus the squeeze till my brains come out my ears only to leave a rabbit pellet (pardon my graphic details! lol). Over the past month I've upped my Colace to 2 a day, and have been taking Vegetable Laxatives (up to 4) a day for 3 days now and nothing is helping. I'm also working out for at minimum of 30 mins a day everyday and have plenty of fiber in my diet. I don't get it :( I think I would be losing so much more weight if I could just part with my.. wastes. :( Has anyone ever looking into getting a Colonic? I've been thinking about extreme measures like that, but worried that since I had LapBand surgery in January that I may put something in danger. I asked my surgeon what he thought but I'm still waiting on an email back from him, so I figured I would ask all of you! Thanks in advance for any advice or first-hand experience anyone may have :) — kelbeth83 (posted on March 18, 2009)
March 18, 2009
How about "Smooth Move" herbal tea? It comes in regular and
chocolate flavor.... and you can get it in pretty much any store. I've
used it and it generally works within 12 hours.
— Erica Alikchihoo
March 18, 2009
I take a colace called Doc-Q-Lace. It is very helpful in getting things
moving. I take 1 or 2 day every few days. Just ask your pharmacy for it.
My doctor prescribed it, but you can get it without a presciption.
— texasweb
March 18, 2009
I think you may want to be careful at over doing the laxatives. 6 a day
between the colace and the vegatable laxatives is leaving you too
dehydrated to pass anything. Drink more water and lighten up on the
laxatives.
If you don't go for a couple days then use something. Suppositorys work
faster than the pills and generally are easier on the mending tummy.
— trible
March 18, 2009
Miralax works very well. It's a powder that can be mixed into any liquid.
There is no taste, no grit, not nothing and works great. It used to only
be available through a doctors prescription, but is now available at the
grocery or pharmacy.
— Libby R.
March 19, 2009
I'm not a lap bander, but an RNY, so I'm not sure if my info is relevant or
not, but remember, your intake has decreased and so will your output...the
only time you should really worry, is if you get that uncomfortable bloated
feeling. Remember your body is in a struggle right now trying to hang on
to ever bit of the weight it has....It enjoys the lifestyle it has been
living and it will hold on to it. I think so many laxitives can be
harmful, but keep pushing the fluids, that is most important, for hydration
and bms. I hope it ALL comes OUT!!lol...
— Stephanie H.
March 19, 2009
I would suggest to bulk up on your fiber and water intake. I have the same
problem so I started taking fiber chews from the health food store. It's
like metamucil but in chewable form. Almost tastes like starburst candy.
Try that. Sometimes our body reacts funny to all the changes.
— Kayla B.
March 19, 2009
Kellie, you are totally normal. I have had very similar issues. My doc
put me on Collace twice a day and when that didn't really do the trick told
me to take twice what the bottle says of a fiber and a single dose of Milk
of Magnesia. Still no luck, so he told me to start taking Miralax! It is
amazing how important a little poop can become (LOL) but thankfully the
miralax did the trick, now I take it every other day and I am normal again.
My doc said it won't hurt to take it for a while and then slowly ween off
of it and see how things go. I would not get a colonic, there is really no
benefit (I asked my dad who is a gastrointestinal surgeon and he told me it
can actually do more harm than good in people who eat tiny little amounts
like we do, something about it washing away the natural secretions that are
needed to soften the stool), you can do almost the same thing with a
glycerin suppository.
— brindledanes
March 19, 2009
I sent you an email explaining what happened to me. Someone else mentioned
Miralax which is what my gastroenterologist prescribed along with an
anti-depressant, Elavil, to relax my stomach and intestines. I take these
daily. Make sure you stay hydrated because the Miralax uses the water from
your body to push the fecal matter through your intestines. You don't want
to get dehydrated. -CC
— Corina C
March 20, 2009
I take loritab which is constipating anyway but have always had a problem
with constipation. Now is not different but my dr. suggest benefiber. I
put two scoops per day in my bottled water and the little bit of taste it
gives water is actually good. I can drink my recommended amount so much
easier and really takes care of the constipation as well. Try it , it is
more natural and benefits in more than one way.
— tealbluekaren50
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