Question:
Anyone have chronic constipation before a RNY? If so, how did it affect it after?

I have suffered from severe constipation for 10 years. Only dulcolax and zelnorm has helped. I am now considering WLS and am scared of how the surgery and taking vitamins everyday will affect my problem. Has anyone else had this problem and had the surgery? Desperate for information!!    — x-filer (posted on November 27, 2006)

November 26, 2006
Good morning Maryann, I had the gastric bypass on 10/9/06. I too had constipation issues but I wasn't taking any medication. After surgery I had to start taking Zelnorm for relief. I know that water is suppose to help but there is only so much water you can drink at one time. I know that walking helps. Sorry this is all the information I have but I will be reading what the others have to say. Brenda
   — The One

November 26, 2006
Hello Maryann, I too had Bms for years & the bad food i used to eat helped me go.. i had Surgery 08/23/06 & i am now taking a stool softner & 1/2 cup of fiber one cereal a day that seems to work best for me now I am trying to avoid zelnorm ong as i can. it took about a month ofr this to start to work for me... I have also increased my fiber intake in foods, at first it was hard but now it seems to be. ok... best of luck......
   — babs810

November 27, 2006
Maryann, Yes I had this problen real bad before Lap RNY 4/4/06. It got much worse at about 6 weeks out, my doctor didn't want me taking anything but Milk of Magnesia and Benefiber. I thought it would never get better, then at about 6 months out it started to get better, now I am better than before my surgery. I only take MOM about once a month. Jules 324/223/155
   — Jules O.

November 28, 2006
Hey congrats on choosing to have WLS!! I am almost 3 months post-op. I have had some trouble with constipation, but as a nurse I know its because I dont get enough water in. They say to drink 64 ounces a day, somedays I only get 20. What I was wondering have you ever seeked treatment for your chronic constipation? I am not a doctor my any means and am not trying to be on, but I think you should try and find out what causes this problem for you before getting the surgery. Also talk to the surgeon you were thinking about using, they will be able to tell you more in depth what you need to know. Constipation is a side effect. but I think if you drank the 64 ounces everyday you would be ok. Good Luck on your WLS journey!!!!!!!!
   — mistydevans

November 30, 2006
Yes, all my life, even as a kid. For the first year, I had the opposite, many "surprises", but it beat trying to pass old growth timber. For11 yrs I added more water, less water, more fiber, less fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, no fiber, both fibers, natural remedies, unnatural remedies and everything worked. For about 2 weeks. FINALLY, I have a formula that works. I take MiraLax (rx) at night, 4 stool softeners and drink something hot before food in the morning. That alone wasn't enough, but I added 1000mg magnesium oxide and now have the closest to normal that I've eVER had, and that's almost a year.
   — vitalady