Question:
Constipation

I am 1 week post op lapband, down 11 pounds. I have not had a bm since last tues. I am thinking with all this protein-60 grams per days is causing me to be constipated. Any suggesstions.    — savoy7658 (posted on May 4, 2008)

May 3, 2008
Janice, I had the same problem post op. I had contacted my surgeon and he told me to be sure to drink the 56 oz of liquids a day. I made sure I drank the water (non caloric liquids) a day and have not had a problem since. I am now 6 weeks post op and down 25 lbs.
   — Karen M.

May 4, 2008
I had the same problem and I was told to eat yogurt plus fiber and that took care of the problem...
   — dyates2948

May 4, 2008
Janice, I too was more than a little constipated. I took Pericolace (over the counter stool softener) for two days and everything returned to normal. My constipation was due to too much morphine during my procedure. Hope this helps!
   — freckles123

May 4, 2008
MOM always unclogs the works for me...Cheap and easy...(Milk of Magnesia) DO NOT take more than the recommended dose...Trust me...and don't ask!
   — .Anita R.

May 4, 2008
I experienced the exact same problem after my lap-band procedure. After trying everything else, I called my hysician's office and they suggested Citrate Magnesium. Finally 7 days after surgery, I was relieved. Hope this helps you also. Shelia
   — shewill

May 4, 2008
Hi Janice, welcome to the losing side! Your system is going through quite a few changes, and constipation is common in wls patients. First, I would get an enema and use it first, it has almost been 7 days for you, and you need to get your bowels moving. Then, personally I would take a correctol to again move the bowels, and drink water. Having said that, once your bowels have cleaned out this time, you might want to consider miralax. It is a powder form, you put a dose in water or juice and drink it. When I am bound up, I use it daily until my bowels move, and then stop. I also only use a half dose, not a full dose because of my stomach. I would definitely start with half dose. This can be a constant battle. Exercise and water help a lot, but if you need something, using miralax (can get it at any pharmacy, it is about $16 a bottle, and will last you about 2 months with half doses. Keeping your bowels moving will aid your weight loss, your waste has to go somewhere, and the longer it stays in your body, the more fat and bad things absorb. You don't want watery stools, but you don't want constipation either. Take care. Patricia P. By the way, many surgeons and doctors approve of miralax, but you may want to run it by your surgeon to be sure. Take care.
   — Patricia P

May 4, 2008
I had the same problem too. I take Miralax, it works wonders! I mix it in my coffee or tea and you cant taste it. Also it doesnt cause me any cramping. Good luck! Angela
   — AuntThat

May 5, 2008
Yes. You can take papaya pills they will help you go to the bathroom. You are still in the first stage of WLS post-op so chew them well. First see how one makes you feel. You'll have to eat about 10 to 15 or so don't worry they break down really into nothing, it should help.
   — A.Mason

May 5, 2008
As you see, this is a common issue. I take (MOM) milk of mag when i get backed up, works great with out cramping etc... I drink Plum Smart to help keep things reg. It's a bit more expensive than prune juice, but doesn't have as many cals. It took an enema to get me going when i got real constipated after surgery, but since that first episode, things have been fine. Good luck.
   — Kristi H.

May 5, 2008
I had chronic constipation for 11 years. I tried: more fiber, less fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, no fiber, both fibers, stool softeners, Smooth Moves & Correctol teas and Metamucil wafers, together, apart, more water, less water, cut out anything but water (and protein), senna, cascara sagrada, everything one could possibly try until I was basically dependent on enemas for 3 yrs. Miralax helped the stool be passable. It was rx and finally became generic, so went from $80 for 3 months to $20 for 3 months. Now it is OTC, but is about $8 for 5-6 servings. If you can get the rx, it is much cheaper, safe, daily, for life, according to my GI doc. The stool softeners are store brand equal to Colace, not PERI-colace. Word was that magnesium citrate was such a great thing. This is pills, not the green bottle, so I tried it and nothing happened, and so I kept increasing it. What DID happen is that my foot and leg cramps ceased. So, I kept doing that and tried magnesium oxide. This is small, cheap, found anywhere, like drug stores. And finally, it worked. Mine are 500 mg and I take 2. My final formula: 1 serving MiraLax (rx) 4 stool softeners at night 1 mag ox with lunch, 1 with dinner In the morning, hot beverage first thing on empty gut This has worked for more than 2 yrs now.
   — vitalady

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