Question:
I am 9 days out and on liquids only and haven't had a bowel

movement for 5 days should I take milk of magnesia or is that normal while on liquids?    — PAULA B. (posted on June 7, 2002)

June 7, 2002
hi. I am 7 days post-op from LAP RNY. i have had BM everyday fortunately, i guess. but my surgeon and nurses have said that between the anesthesia from the surgery and the pain medicines i am on it is completely normal to not have a BM for quite a few days, so no need to worry, that it often makes you constipated. but they said if I am, to take the milk of magnesia. if you want to talk, e-mail me: [email protected] goodluck! ~Lezlie
   — Lezlie Y.

June 7, 2002
Paula, I'm 14 post op and what my doctor recomended to me for a bowl movement was Metimucle, the sugar free kind, I took it for a day and bamm it worked like a charm. I feel much better, hey if you have any questions or new ideas email me,
   — tannedtigress

June 7, 2002
My answer is completely different. My surgeon said "What goes in your mouth is what comes out your butt". Therefore if you are on clear liquids, you cannot have a bowel movement as you have nothing inside you to come out. Once you progress to soft foods and solids your bowels should start working again although probably less frequently than when you were pre-op.
   — Ellen H.

June 8, 2002
Maybe you should try a suppostiory Paula, I would check with your doc.
   — Min W.

June 8, 2002
Paula, I'm 15 days post-op. Are you sure nothing has come from the large bowel? My first was on day 4 (10 min. after getting home from hosp.) I had brown liquid, but that counted. It meant I could start pureed foods. My Dr. doesn't want any oral laxatives for a year post-op just suppositories. Check with your Dr. first.
   — Janis D.