Question:
CONSTIPATION!!!!!!
I am 4 weeks post-op. I've lost 51 lbs (including the two week pre-op diet.) Everything is going really well, except...I am severely constipated!!!! REALLY constipated!! My doctor has given approval to take Colace, which I am, twice a day. I'm eating applesauce once a day. I use SlimFast LowCarb drinks for my protein three times a day. I'm eating mostly soup, yogurt and some crackers. Any hints? I'm desperate. — fawn3710 (posted on October 27, 2009)
October 27, 2009
Ok don't panic, I had the same problem just about 3 weeks after my bypass
surgery. I actually ended up in the emergency room. I had taken a laxative
and that did not work either, I actually thought I would die. Here is the
answer get some suppositories and use those until you can have a bowel
movement and colace is good for continued use. Drink water that will be
your savior. I knkow you are early in your surgery and its hard to drink
water or liquid but you have to try and that will keep your body moving
like it should. Eat all the sugar free popsicles you want but drink, drink
, drink. Good Luck
— susajohn
October 27, 2009
Hi Fawn - Colace is my best friend. I had a rough time early out, and now
at 5 months as long as I take 1-2 Colace per day ( I alternate) I am good.
The issue early on for me was the "no veggies" - I was on liquids
ans soft foods, and even if I added fruit, it didn't cut it. Colace was the
only thing that helped me. Wishing you the best!
— stellarsan
October 27, 2009
Fawn,
I can certainly identify with your little dilemma! I am on chronic meds for
pain, so the narcotics just amplify the problem. My doc suggested I take
Miralax daily, you can get it in unflavored powder form. I mix it in with
my protein shakes to get it down. Applesauce didn't work to mix it, didn't
dissolve. My pipes are now flowing regular and in harmony. lol. Keep your
chin up
Tamera
— Tamera89706
October 27, 2009
I too take Colace and it works wonderfully. I used to use Slim Fast but
found that it made me constipated something horrible. You might want to
adjust how much you use or discontinue using it. Once I stopped using it,
there was no need for the Colace...only occasionally. Hope all works out
for you. God Bless.
— PAWLLA L.
October 27, 2009
Miralax is safe for us after surgery. It's not a laxative so it doesn't
have any stimulants. I add it to my crystal light drink. For right now you
need to make sure you're getting in your fluids. Light exercise (like
walking) really helps too. Our digestive track gets sluggish from the
surgery and the drastic dietary changes. I've found my source of
constipation issues to be from the iron supplements on top of the iron in
the protein shakes -- too much iron. Make sure your iron supplement is
formulated to be "easy" on the tummy. Constipated is a miserable
state to be in. I hope this is resolved for you soon.
— Arkin10
October 27, 2009
Fawn, I am so glad you wrote this question, I am suffering too, to the
point of bleeding. I am going to check out Colace, but my dr. told me to
use Senekot and Benefiber, the Benefiber doesn't cut it, but today the
Senekot did. Good luck my sister.
— FSUMom
October 27, 2009
I had the same problem. I had the RNY a year and a half ago. Then last
Feb. I had knee replacement. All the pain meds wreaked havoc on my body,
and I finally resorted to Miralax. Nothing else helped until I tried that.
It literaly saved my "butt" lol! I swear by it. Good luck.
— katiecakes
October 28, 2009
My nutritionist also gave me the go-ahead to drink "Smooth Move"
tea, with senna. It is a really good natural laxative, and that, along
with taking 2 colace a day and one stool softener with a "stimulant
laxative" helps me out. But even so, I still have problems with
painfully hard bowel movements that just seem to get "stuck" and
(TMI) I have to "help" them along by applying pressure to the
perineum. My surgeon's assistant DID say that if I had to, I could use a
Fleet enema....but I haven't done that yet. I think I'd rather use the
suppositories.
— Erica Alikchihoo
October 28, 2009
my nut gave me a recipe for constipation. I haven't tried it yet but it
sounds like it might help. 1/4 cup grained or milled flax seed. 1 tsp
baking powder 1 tsp splenda 1 tsp cinnomon 1/4 cup water. stir well. put
in the microwave for 1 min. eat only 1/4. then the next day, if needed
eat another 1/4. then wait a day and eat another 1/4 so on. make sure to
drink lots of water!!!!
— stephturpin
October 28, 2009
Hi, Been there done that! benefiber every day helps keep it from happening
again, fleet enema w/mineral oil helps you now.
— MarthaJ0110
October 28, 2009
Don't panic.... I had RNY August 2008 and I still have issues if am not
careful... I eat or drink activia every day for a snack. I use the
flavored benifiber packets in my water (2 packets per day) as long as I
keep this up I am good. If not Miralax does work if I use it 2 days in a
row. If you continue to have issues be sure to contact your surgon.....
— phyllismmay
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