Question:
Constipation
I am 7 weeks post op from having an RNY, and have been experiencing problems with constipation since beginning my vitamin regimen. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for any non constipating multi vitamins that are available for purchase? Thanx! — robin.s2000 (posted on January 17, 2006)
January 16, 2006
Hi Robin....I had the surgery on Nov. 17th and I have the same problem...I
have found a product named LiquaFiber from Global Health. It requires only
2 ozs of liquid to mix it with and it has no taste so you can mix it in
with your protein drink or water and you take it 2 to 5 times a day
depending on your body. They sell it in bottles of 16.5 ozs and you get 2
bottles for $11.99. They also have a calcuim citrate with Vitamin D powder
which is also tasteless...hope this helps you and good luck!!! Carrie
— HubbysBrat
January 16, 2006
Robin- it isnt usually Vitamins what cause the constipation, but the types
of foods you are eating. Do you take Iron? That usually makes it easy to
"go", however, I would try " coffee ", at least 1 cup
in the morning, full leaded. I know many surgeons advise no caffeine, but 1
cup a day won't hurt you, however ask first. MOM works in small amounts,
but do NOT stop taking the vitamins, they aren't the culprets! At 7 weeks,
your body is adjusting to many changes, and your Potty habits are just one
of them. Is there one food that triggeres your evacuation? That you are
allowed to have? If so, eat it more often. I know, I had to learn that
drinking my protein drink for beakfast, followed by 14 oz or coffee did the
trick for me, since I refuse to take anything else to make me " go.
It is trial and error at this juncturel.
Take a leap of faith and try different combinations- you just might be
surprised.
blessings
Cindi
-217#
— DollyDoodles
January 16, 2006
Someone wrote: constipation a person needs fast relief and stool softeners
and fiber just don't work.... it takes too long. I prefer to use an enema.
I know its kind of gross but it works. I used to have such a hard time with
having a BM. But since I started adding more fiber rich foods and veggies
and a little fruit I usually go every day or every other day. So on those
occasional times when I havent had a BM in 3-4 days I am miserable and I
reach for a Fleet.
Kym
Another Wrote:
I feel like a bowel historian lol. I am 37 and had bowel movement
trouble since I was 16. I went to doc after doc about it and heard the
usual drink more water eat more fiber etc. I wound up taking xlax for years
for relief. Finally they said oh you have IBS and put me on zelnorm and
miralax
at the same time. That helped for a bit then stopped. The gastro told me I
have no clue what else to do, so back to the x lax I went. We moved out of
country to Panama and they don't have x lax here, so I thought well I will
try a doc here. He put me on Glisulin 500 (metformina) I thought he was
crazy, but low and behold no x lax for almost a year now. There was no IBS,
it all had to do with insulin resistance and the ability to convert. I had
my GB 12/12 and I am still taking the glisulin and so far I have had no
problems with bowel movements. I was just so amazed that I had spent all
those
years miserable and all it took was for somebody to look outside the bowel.
I hope this helps since alot of us who are overweight have problems with
insulin resistance.
HOPE ONE OF THESE HELP YOU... ID START WITH THE ENEMA TILL I GOT THE OTHER
MEDICATION MENTIONED... iD TRY ANYTHING IF IT WERE ME...GOOD LUCK !
FLO
— Flo
January 16, 2006
Hi, I am 10 weeks post op, same problem, I thought it might be from all of
the protein intake (and basically not eating anything greasy to help with
that..) so I bought some chewable fiber pills from the drugstore.. and they
did the trick.. look for the ones that are sugarfree.. I think it was
FiberChoice or something like that.. Good luck, April
— April
January 16, 2006
I too had the same problem and the doctor advised it was do to the increase
in protein. I have since found what works for me to increase fiber in my
diet and water and exercise. It was recommended to use colace or
peri-colace for the occasional resistant BM. I also have found that adding
natural borage/flax oil helps also it has a nutty flavor and is kept in my
fridge and tastes great on oatmeal and in yogurt. You want to get it in
the bottle and not the gelatin form. It has improved my skin and hair
tremendously plus the added benefit for us women with the flax oil.
— 1968 Loser
January 17, 2006
I had (and sometimes still have) that problem. I use Laci Le Beau Super
Dieters tea. I like the lemon/mint with a little Splenda. I drink it
before bed and "go" first thing in the AM. It has never failed
me.
— Deborah G.
January 17, 2006
My doctor told me to take Colace once a day and it really help. Iron can
cause you to be constipated. I have to take 2 iron pills a day so the
colaces really works. You can buy it at any drug store.
— melissagarcia
January 17, 2006
There are several things that might be at work here. You didn't say which
vitamins you are taking. If you are using ferrous sulfate iron, it can
constipate, as well as damage the pouch, and may not absorb well. There
are other irons that do not constipate. Calcium carbonate can also lock
things up and is not well absorbed. Are you avoiding all fats & oils
or just using normal amounts? We all need SOME. Are you gettting in nuts,
grains, seeds? Those are good things in moderation. And then water. As in
WATER. 64 oz of it, not counting whatever other fluids you get. Bananas,
milk, rice are all constipators. Some multi vitamin formulations use
constipating iron, some don't. As you can see, I've been chasing this
problem for many years. I take a generic of colace (never peri-colace), 4
per night at the same time, Miralax (which is Rx, and safe, daily, for
life, according to my GI doc), and then, as one person mentioned, a cup of
hot coffee, usually containing protein. I just know it has to be FIRST
thing. AFter food does no good, for me. If I follow my rule of 4, I can
usually expect some sort of result. water, 4 stool softeners, Miralax, hot
drink.
— vitalady
January 17, 2006
Hi! you got a lot of great answers here. Just a head up...My surgeon said
not to any 'fiber' products early out (I think it expands in your
pouch...can't remember...its been a while). I had horrible constipation
early on. My surgeon took me off of iron for two weeks. I did two tablets
of colace a day and used glycerin suppositories daily. By about 3 months
out...once I normalized my diet more, it wasn't so much of a problem...till
then, I had the suppositories available. Also, I use the iron from
Bariatricadvantage. Its especially formulated for post ops. Good luck!
— Rachelq
January 17, 2006
Hi Robin,
Well let me start by saying welcome to your new journey. Although you have
been given a lot of good advice let me tell you this journey is a total
trial and error and you will have to go through it to see what, if anything
works for you. I have a horrible time with constipation and have tried
everything under the sun. From laxatives to fiber to protein nothing
worked. I was told to never drink caffine again because it is an appetite
stimulant and most likely will cause munchies so be careful. Fiber too be
careful with be cause it can cause blockage. I found at Henry's ( a Whole
foods market) this herbal tea by TRIPLE LEAF TEA it's in a red or green
box and the tea is called SUPER SLIMMING or ULTRA SLIM. I like the taste of
the first one best. It works very naturally and is gentle so I don't have
cramping and pain. Some of the bigger grocery stores sell it as well. The
herb in it that has the laxative affect is SENNA. You can get it in pill
form as well. I have not tried it in pill form I like the tea plus it's
part of my fluids. I hope this helps. Take care and God Bless.
Sonja Lima
San Diego, CA Open RNY 9/9/04 ~334/282/163
— Son-Son
January 18, 2006
I am 2 1/2 years post op and have dealt with a lot of constipation over the
years. LOL! It could be because you are not drinking enough water. My
doctor told me to drink at least 3 bottles of water a day plus mint tea to
help with the digestion. Also I notice I get constipated when I have too
much Fats in my diet. I use suppositories to help alleviate the pain. But
I have been sticking with the water and mint tea and things have been much
better. P.S. I don't take vitamins on a regular basis so that's wht I
think it may have more to do with your diet
— msferret6
January 18, 2006
I am 4.5 weeks post op from RNY and having the same problem and it is all
due to the NeoNatal multi vitamin with iron which is the real culprit. I
have found that 1 oz or 30cc's of Milk of Magnesia at night works
best...also, more liquids help
— ash1218
January 18, 2006
I had the same problem! My doctor made me add flax seed to my yogurt, and
make sure I get a little fat each day. I also have to take a stool
softener! I am thirteen months post op.
— Novashannon
January 18, 2006
Also pay attention to your fluids. I had trouble with constipation and
difficulty fecating (doing the 2!)and the dr. advised me up my fluids. This
was kinda hard to do being that I could only take 4 oz at a time but it
helped.
— jforten
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