Question:
WHICH COMES FIRST CONSTIPATION OR DEHYDRATION?

IM 5 MONTHS POST OP AND HAVE BEEN DEYDRATED BEFORE RIGHT AFTER SURGERY, RIGHT NOW IM SEVERLY CONSTIPATED AND FEELING THIRSTY ALL THE TIME, HAVING THE SORE MUSCLES AND ECT. FOR DEHYDRATED I WAS WONDER IF CONSTIPATION CAUSES IT OR IS THE CONSTIPATION CAUSING DEYDRATION, ITS A PAIN IN THE BUTT LITERLY, AND I M PUSHING LIQUIDS AND HAVE BEEN FOR TWO WEEKS BUT IT WONT LET UP, I STAY CONSTIPATED WITH HARD STOOLS. I AM TAKING A STOOL SOFTNER TOO. SO IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP ME I WOULD APPRECIATE IT . I AM GETTING IN MY 64 OZ OF WATER IN AND SOME. BUT CANT SEEM TO GET BOWELS MOVING MY WEIGHT IS ON A LONG PLATUEA TOO I HOPING ITS JUST BECAUSE OF CONSTIPATION THANKS ANGIE MATHEWS    — ANGIE M. (posted on October 9, 2002)

October 9, 2002
Angie, I don't know, but I don't think you want to find out. Please call your doctor. I'm 6 months out and was also having major constipation and the stool softner did not work. I went and bought that new product Benefiber. You can mix it in anything, coffee, juice, protein shake and it has no taste, is not gritty or thick. I put it in at least 2 of my drinks a day. I have not have ANY problems since. Everything is moving well! Benefiber is also sugar free. Please call your doctor though.
   — Margaret B.

October 9, 2002
Yep, I agree with Margaret. Benefiber works for me! :o)
   — Jennifer A.

October 9, 2002
Just went to see my PCP about pretty much the same thing. My problem is I just don't have BMs. He suggested that I drink 4 oz. warm prune juice every night. I had been taking Correctol every night but it wasn't working anymore and when I go more than 2 days without a BM, well, my stomach swells up and gets really hard and painful. Then comes the gas. The prune juice is helping some, but not a lot. My PCP is concerned that there may be some adhesions. I strongly suggest that you get checked out by you doctor. It pays to be safe. Good luck
   — Teri D.

October 9, 2002
You might want to go see your doc. Two weeks of severe constipation should be checked out. And oh my god, I do feel so bad for you. I was laso getting very constipated, even though I was drinking 64ounces of water a day. I eat a very, very high protein diet. Even for WLS people, and that may have something to do with it. I take two fiber cap pills every morning, now try to get in at least one serving of veggies a day, take a couple of senelot vegetable laxatives if I go a day or two without going, and have increased my water intake to over 100 ounces a day. I have been pretty regular since following this protocol.
   — PaulaM

October 10, 2002
Definitely agree with checking with your doctor! If you find out that things are A-OK, then you might try the prune juice, watermelon is great for adding water AND as a laxative that's gentle, and I found that adding a few (not MANY) carbs to the diet helps too. Protein is VERY binding.
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 20, 2009
I have the same issues with constipation and intestinal pain; I've actually wound up in the emergency room three times because of the pain. One ER dr. prescribed Miralax for me and I've purchased it over the counter ever since. I take it every day, sometimes more than one dose. I also tried Benefiber but found that it irritated the bowels so much - possibly from extra gas.
   — FuneLilHoney