Question:

Okay, be prepared, this is going to be a little gross reading material, and it is really hard to write. Thank goodness that I know I can tell you all about this without feeling too embarressed!! :) Okay, here's what's been happening to me. A month ago (literally) I had dieahrrea (sp?) that lasted just one day. I didn't have another bowel movement for a week, and when I realized it had been that long, I took a laxitive, and had a small bowel movement a little while later. I had another bowel movement during the second week of this month-long ordeal, and then none at all until last night. I tried taking a stool softner on Saturday, and nothing happened. I took it again on Sunday, and nothing happened. I took it one last time, yesterday, and nothing happened except I felt like I was going to burst with all the poop trying to get out, and it just couldn't move anywhere. I have NEVER been this constipated in my life!! After sitting on the toilet, in pain (rectum and tummy), I ended up digging some out with my fingers (that's gross, but... I had to do something). I ended up taking out about six inches of rock-hard stoole and then I was able have a relatively normal bowel    — Sharon H. (posted on March 26, 2002)

March 26, 2002
You had an impaction - something we used to see quite often when I worked in home health care. A suppository laxative would help as well as adding fiber to your diet. I suggest Uncle Sam's Cereal. It's relatively inexpensive and very very high in fiber. Just make sure you doc says it's ok to eat seeds and grains - it's full of flax seeds. Also drink plenty of water during the day. That keeps everything pretty much lubed up. Those fiber grams can be subtracted from the carbo grams when keeping an eye on the carbs. I hope this helps.
   — Vicki H.

March 26, 2002
Glycerine suppositories would help with the impaction and constipation. Believe me, I know. When my son was little he had a hard bowel movement that tore his rectum (a fissure) and after that he held in his b.m.'s I had to take him to a specialist who had to use a lubricated gloved finger to do what you basically did on your own. Let me tell you, having this done to a 2 year old kid was NOT pleasant. After that, the specialist told me that as soon as he started to even think of holding it in for more than 2 days, hold him down and insert a glycerine suppository. (Let me tell you, that was a joyful time!) His dad and I had to make him lay still, cheeks clenched for 5-10 minutes while it did the job. We did this maybe half a dozen times before the poor kid decided he'd make poo poo on his own. He's now 16 and will hate me for sharing this story!!! LOL - Anna
   — Anna L.

March 26, 2002
I would have used liquid fleet followed by three glasses of water it would have worked in about 15 minutes and you wouldn't have had to dig it out and believe me fleet comes in really handy during those hard times.
   — Samitra D J.

April 2, 2002
Thank you all for your answers. I appreciate it! I'm going to look into everything you all suggested... it's happening to me again. Arrrrgh. I drink 64+ oz. of water a day... plus all the stuff I drink like Milk, juice, soup, etc....
   — Sharon H.

October 21, 2006
Hello,, I had the lap band surgery about 2 years ago. I had been trying to find a good liquid liquid vitamin/supplement because I was having similar problems. Someone introduced me to Vibe. I have been taking it for a year now and feel so good in so many ways. I want to get the word out to fellow lap band/gastric bypass patients. If anyone is interested in hearing more about it, or trying it for a month, please feel free to call me and ask questions. You could also check out my website at: www.switchtosuccess.com/pallor (I set up a website so other friends, fellow gastric surgery patients could see!) (845) 325 4579 Sarah Pallor
   — spallor