Question:
Has anyone tried colon cleansing to help with weight loss?

I've read that lots of people do a colon cleansing to help them lose weight. I'm not talking about the yucky liquid that you have to drink the night prior to the surgery. I'm talking about the stuff you take for 3 days instead of food that leaves you anchored to the bathroom. Has anyone tried that? If so, has it helped with weight loss? Mariee Pre-op Lap RNY    — Mariee H. (posted on August 15, 2002)

August 15, 2002
Good question! I've been constipated since I was 16. So I would like to try this as I probally have years of "stuff" to get out. But then guys are full of sh## so why should I be any different! lol ;)
   — Danmark

August 15, 2002
I would be concerned about disturbing my electrolytes and any diuretic issues. Seems to me that we lose weight very quickly as it is and that there are "non-invasive" ways to boost weight loss. I'd be cautious.
   — Marti R.

August 15, 2002
Ok.. have done this... not a nice thing! Are you talking about the drink it will happen or the well the other (external to internal)? I have done both.... Drink: the most unbelieveable nasty taste... drink for 2 or 3 days.. them WHAM... better have a few days to spend in the bathroom.. you will be there a while... but it works.. EVERYTHING comes out... have a face cover or something.. not to be gross but.. you have heard the saying 'in the bowels of hell'? well I need say no more about that.... The other external.. it works but not as good (i think) it helps break up a release 'things' if you want the super get it out method do the drink.... you can lose about 10 or so lbs from it... you suppose to do them, I have read, anywhere from 2 times a year to 1 time every 2 years. You will lose alot of 'stuff' and a lot of water... but it is by no means something to do just to get weight loss (in my book that is)
   — bleever

August 15, 2002
Why not just eat at a really bad Chinese buffet and get food poisoning? LOL It's the same thing. The weight you lose from that will be water weight and will come back. If you want to be regular add fiber to your diet with whole grains, fruit, and veggies. It's much better for you and won't upset your electrolyte balance. The surgery works just fine by itself. Don't endanger yourself by tacking on fad weight loss schemes. After all, if that stuff worked why would we need to have surgery? Good luck with your upcoming surgery!
   — ctyst

August 15, 2002
If only losing 150 pounds of weight was as easy as just getting your colon cleansed or getting food poisoning.
   — Debbie B.

August 15, 2002
It's a myth that there is years of "stuff" in the colon. I worked in endoscopy and did video colonoscopies. You take the prep and it does clean out the entire colon, but the weight loss isn't fat, it's fluid. It will come back in the next day or so. Doing this for diagnostic purposes is fine but a routine of this can cause problems. Everything eventually works itself out on it's own, don't tamper with nature, as it works well.
   — ZZ S.