Question:
constipation/dumping

I am 3mos post RNY and I am having a hard time with consitpation. Everytime I go to the bathroom I feel the need to have a Bowel movement, but nothing happens, there is pressure, but nothing. I have taken stool softners laxative etc. I am not sure what dumping is mabye that is my problem. I am never hungry and do not consistently take my vitamins but will get better with that Help    — cbraxton (posted on May 17, 2008)

May 17, 2008
My doctor okayed Milk of Magnesia. Dumping is rapid water being pulled into the intestine, usually from sugar. Symptoms include, sweating, nausia, vomiting, trembling, heart papitations, and diarreah. Good luck to ya. Feel better!
   — lesleigh07

May 17, 2008
Take your vitamins daily, or you'll have other major issues. I use stool softeners on a daily basis. If you are in real discomfort, you could use an enema or other bowel prep solutions for surgery. Dumping is diarrhea, sweating, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea--one or more of things happening at the same time. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

May 17, 2008
I've had a lot of problems with this issue also. I use to use colace 2 times a day but my Dr. said he no longer wants me to take it daily so I had to increase my fiber and started taking Benefiber. So far so good but I've also have used suppositories and enemas when it gets bad. Now I make sure I go everyday. Hope you get some relief because it can be bad. I'm also a little over 3 months out.
   — lalabear110

May 17, 2008

   — William (Bill) wmil

May 17, 2008
Thanks so much I am definitely not dumping. I will try the suggestions and drink more water and take my vitamins. I am down 47lbs, just want to have some energy and succeed to my goal. Again thanks a bunch, it is great to have people that you can rely on. God Bless
   — cbraxton

May 17, 2008
Hi Charnita, it is really important to keep those bowels moving. I would first use an enema to clean out initially, then take a laxative (Milk of Mag or correctol) just once to move the high stuff. Then I would purchase Miralax from the pharmacy and take a half dose daily to keep my bowels in check. If you get loose stools after the regular miralax, then I would cut back to every other day. Keep your water up, but miralax is a great way to avoid constipation. It really helps. Weight loss demands your bowels keep moving, and it also helps avoid other intestinal issues. Don't let yourself stay constipated, it is painful and counter productive to weight loss. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

May 19, 2008
Constipation deals with the frequency of bowel movements as well as the consistency of stool. For people who have not had WLS, "normal" is usually between 3 times a day and 3 times a week. Small, dry, or hard stools are usually a sign of constipation regardless of how often you are going. How often are you having bowel movements? Is the constipation new or have you been having this problem since surgery? Do the stool softners/laxatives work? Do you feel better after you go? I am assuming that the stool softner/laxatives aren't working or aren't working well enough since you've tried them. Constipation, pressure, feeling like you always need to know can be signs of irritable bowel syndrome. Please call your doctor or surgeon about this. And take those vitamins!!! :) :)
   — mrsidknee