Question:
Constipation
I had Gastric by pass on Feb 15, 2008. I have been constipated ever since. Everytime I have a bowel movement I have to take a laxative. Stool softners don't help. It this normal? — lisa-b (posted on March 1, 2008)
March 1, 2008
Yes, and it is annoying, remember your insides are tossed around, and it
will be a period of time until things return to almost normal. Remember you
are eating much less than before, so you will not have the need to go
nearly as often.
In the meantime, increase your fiber with things like beneful, which is a
fiber powder that you mix with a beverage, kills 2 birds at once.
Milk of Magnesia is also a remedy that works well, just don't take too
much, give it time to work, and don't be too far from the bathroom, you
will be amazed how much is backed up!
Good luck, hang in there, it gets better!
— 29Diesel
March 1, 2008
Laxatives are the least recommended way to resolve your problem, especially
stimulant laxatives like Exlax. Get proper water intake, and early out you
may only have BM's everu 3 days or so, as you are on a liquid diet. As your
diet increases, you'll have more fiber and food volume to help. But even at
that stage, many patients still rely on daily stool softerners. I know I
do. I take generic Colace or Senakote, one each mornng and 2 at night. I'm
22 months out, and most RNY patients I know at my local baritatric support
groups do take 2-3 stool softeners per day.
— Dave Chambers
March 1, 2008
Yup, it's majorly irritating. I am almost four months postop and still
take Miralax every night.
— Shirley D.
March 1, 2008
I remember being terrified of what would come out. I figured it had been
such a long time, the results were gonna hurt. After the anestesia and
what you body went through, it's normal, frustrating, but normal. I have
something that may help you. www.newyouhealthclub.com.
— bariatricdivalatina
March 1, 2008
I understand that you should not be taking laxatives after this surgery.
But it sounds like you don't have enough fluids. Remember, water, water,
water, protein, protein, protein. That is the saying around my dr's office.
— Claudia C.
March 1, 2008
I have always had this porblem, even before my surgeries. Things that help
me are, fresh pears, mini shredded wheat, boiled peanuts and when all else
fails a cup of "Smooth Moves" thats a tea found in health stores.
Do try to stay away from the laxatives.
— Tawnda C.
March 2, 2008
I had this very same problem. Looking back on it the best advice I got was
to drink more water and if needed add stool softeners. Stool softeners work
even better w/ the extra water. I wouldn't do laxatives because they're
harsh and you don't want to be dependent on something like that to make you
go. I wouldn't even waste time/money/or put myself through Milk of
Magnesia. It just makes things worse in my opinion.
Sorry for the long reply. Add more H20 and if needed Stool softeners.
— Katrina B.
March 2, 2008
In the 4 yrs of my wls I have noticed and know that all protein foods eaten
will constipate me. I have to eat fiber foods and so to keep regular or I
take a stool softner every other day or so to get relief. I was told to
never take a laxative for it will harm the pouch and deplete you of liquids
making you dehydrated. Water and plenty of it helps very well as well as
eating high fiber foods. In taking fiber tablets or fiber meds does no good
for me either. Consult your surgeon for info on how to deal with
constipation. The laxatives are bad choice. Or I use after nothing else
worked the liquid magnesium citrate that comes in lemon flavor. I just
drink half the bottle after getting it really cold and drink lots of water.
4 hours later I have a bowel movement.
— mspisces
March 2, 2008
It si the protein and Iron that do it. It got better for me, but ask your
doctor. Mine had me take Omega 3 and stool softeners. He said laxatives
were the last thing to try and to call him first.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 2, 2008
constipation is not good, but it is normal. When I get "stuck",
I use a product called "Miralax". You can get it at a pharmacy
or wal mart. It is a powder, but you mix it with water or juice, it is
tasteless and works well. Begin with a half dose. A full dose for me
causes stomach cramps and gas, but a half dose daily works, so start small
and add more if you need it upto a full dose. I would buy the miralax and
an enema, and do the enema and then take the miralax daily, you have to
remember that you are already bound up and need to work that out before
things will be soft regularly. Miralax reallly works, so give it a try.
Take care, Patricia P.
— Patricia P
March 2, 2008
You had surgery 2 weeks ago.... before surgery, you were completely cleaned
out. Since surgery, you've been eating a teeny, tiny fraction of what you
usually eat.
You aren't going to poop as much after surgery as you did before because
you aren't eating as much.
Are you sure you are constipated?
I've have always heard that "normal" is between 3x a day and 3x a
week... but that is for people who are consuming a normal diet--many cups
of food a day.
Since you don't have a "normal" GI tract or a "normal"
food intake, I encourage you to re-think constipation... rather than
focusing on frequency, focus on consistency. If you are passing hard, dry
stools, you are probably constipated and should increase your fluid and
fiber, take stool softners, exercise, and if all else fails, then go for a
laxative.
If you are passing normal stool, but infrequently, its related to the
amount of food you are eating and not constipation.
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
March 3, 2008
Hey there my doctor prescribed me amitiza and it works great, I haven't had
any problems since. Good luck to you!!!
— Franchesca
March 3, 2008
I had my RNY the same time as you and had the same concerns. As soon as I
stopped taking painkillers the constipation passed and now if I take a
painkiller in the evening Im completely constipated the next day. Hope
this helps !
— Tracy K.
March 4, 2008
You can add Magnesium Oxide to your vitamin regime. 1 or 2 capsules as
needed. (Not Mag. Citrate.) It may give you gas at first, so take at night!
: )
— Susan O.
Click Here to Return