Question:
Bowl movements

This is my 3rd week post op and I have NOT had a bowel movements in 2 days. Is this normal? if not what can I take before it is too late.    — Nancegee2 (posted on June 20, 2009)

June 20, 2009
i am not an expert because i am 2 wks out...but i noticed things have slowed down too..i am having the diluted apple juice 1 to 4 of water and a small unsweetened applesauce and it has help a little...every day
   — jeanopat

June 20, 2009
Actually, don't be surprised if you sometimes go even longer than that between bm's. You are taking in less food and the surgery itself tends to contribute to constipation. You might want to go ahead and get some Miralax to have on hand. And also start taking stool softeners. Good luck!
   — PaulaJ

June 20, 2009
Hi Nancy...yes, it's normal. In fact, "normal" kinda runs the gamut here, but for me, I've had some real issues with bowel movements. I NEVER used to notice whether or not I had them before surgery, unless I was having uncontrolled diarrhea, which happened often...but SINCE I've had surgery, I have had a LOT of trouble having bowel movements. It was not uncommon for me to go 4 or 5 days without having one, and being the usual "me", not noticing that I hadn't had one...but then when the urge DID hit me, I'd find myself in extreme pain and although the stool was right there at the opening of the rectum, it wouldn't come out without help. It got so bad that one day, I wasn't even trying to have a stool, and when I stood up, there was fresh blood in the toilet...and it wasn't coming from my vagina. I figured I'd exploded an internal hemmoroid, and when I called my docs, they told me to seriously up the level of stool softeners I was taking, try really hard to get more fiber in from sources like Benefiber, ground flax seed, or psyllium (Metamucil-type stuff) - (we're supposed to have 25 grams a day), and just for a couple of days, take a mild laxative, like Phillips Milk of Mag (which I found in a wild cherry flavor - much better than the original chalky stuff). I also got a bottle of MiraLax. BUT, lo and behold, I found out the most wonderful thing!!! Benefiber has little "stick packs" like Crystal Light On The Go -- which I picked up (and you can add them to anything you're drinking and absolutely can't tell it's there -- and then, Yahoo!!! I found out at the grocery store last week that Benefiber has now come out with FLAVORED Kiwi Strawberry stick packs that taste just like Crystal Light, so now I only have to buy ONE product! I've been drinking two to three bottles of "Benefiber water" a day, and for the past week, I've been having some fairly normal bowel movements!!! Yay!!! Give it a try! But if you need to do something about it right NOW, my surgeon's PA told me that I could use one of those little Fleet enemas for immediate relief. Hope this helps....
   — Erica Alikchihoo

June 20, 2009
My doctor even recommended Colace (continually) or Milk of Magnesia when needed.
   — poodie

June 20, 2009
I am sure hoping it is as I am in the sae boat you are. About every 2-3 day since I began soft foods. I now intigrate baby food fruit in my diet...2 oz day. It has helped. I have also noted my weight loss has sloowed a bit since beginning this phase also. Good luck
   — karensaporito

June 21, 2009
I used to freak out too by the lack of movements I had. But, if you're worried about becoming constipated, you might want to look into using Miralax once in a while. I've had the Bariatric Md and Gastreenterologist, tell me that it is safe and non-addictive. Keeps the "end result" soft and easy to pass, without causing abdominal pain like other laxative-type meds. Good luck. --Darlene
   — dadebrito

June 21, 2009
If I do not have a bm within a couple of days I drink "Smooth Move" tea before bed and the next morning I am normal again and ready for my day. This method has really helped me. Getting all your necessary water in everyday helps too.
   — edgehanger

June 22, 2009
I make sure my calcium citrate supplement has magnesium in it or I supplement with magnesium if it doesn't...We eat a lot of calcium after surgery and less fiber...Once you can begin eating fruit and veggies again that helps as well as does grains and nuts/seeds and legumes and some good fats (olive oil, avocado , nuts and seeds, fish oils ) But until then I was chronically constipated the first year...Once I began taking magnesium daily, my movements become "somewhat" normal and regular...I say "somewhat" because in all honesty..I never know what to expect in the bathroom! LOL It's a mystery daily and quite different each morning...I never knew there were so many different smells, consistancies, colors, shapes, sizes...Even still at 5 years...I never have a clue what to expect...but I do move daily with at least 400-800 mg magnesium with my calcium. And some just before bed because it helps me sleep and relaxes my muscles and restless legs..I personally take about 1000 mg which I slowly worked my way up to. That's what works for me anyway
   — .Anita R.