Question:
I am 3 weeks post op and am very constipated.
My doctor's nurse told me to take MOM but it has not helped. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions what might help? — sunkissed kid (posted on August 24, 2003)
August 24, 2003
I had that constipation too and I took laxative tablets (like they give you
before a colonscopy) and they worked!
— Beverly S.
August 24, 2003
Ask your doctor if he can prescribe Colace for you. I only needed it once,
but it was a lifesaver. Within an hour after taking it, I had major
relief. It's nice to have on hand when you need it!
— MomBear2Cubs
August 24, 2003
Try Benefiber
— who A.
August 24, 2003
Not much help for how to relieve your current problem, but some suggestions
to keep the problem from recurring: until you're able to eat enough fruits
and vegetables to provide adequate fiber (which will be MONTHS from now),
take a daily fiber supplement. I use both Benefiber (a powder that
dissolves completely in liquids and soft foods without any texture or taste
issues), and a s/f candy-type drop called Fiber Health. Neither one
creates any uncomfortable gas or other unpleasant side effects. I find I
need 12 to 15 grams of supplemental fiber a day, but you may differ.
— Vespa R.
August 24, 2003
I had the same problem and looked through the archives. I found that
someone recommended an herbal tea called Smooth Moves. I tried it and it
works great. I have only had to use it twice as I am farther out now and
adding some fruits, etc. to my diet.
— DebT
August 24, 2003
Janet wanted to ask when you took the MOM did you drink 8oz of water after
I know that is hard but I had the same problem and it did not help but I
did not realize that you needed to drink water right afterwards so the next
time that I had the problem I did just that and it worked within like a
half hour. Hope this helps because I know just how awful it can be. Good
Luck
— jnmcneil
August 24, 2003
How about Flax Seed. You can grind it in your coffee grinder (great thing
to use the coffee grinder for now that you can't drink coffee). You can
put it in your foods...it has a nice cruchy flavor. If you would like to
know where I get mine for cheap...email me from my profile.
— Carol S.
August 24, 2003
I am still pre-op, so can't suggest from experience, but post op people at
support group have taken coalese. It is now available over the counter at
the drug store. I use it pre-op since I have occasional problems with it.
— w8free
August 24, 2003
Do ONLY what your surgeon says you can. I had the same problem about the
same time and I wanted to use Metamucil, liquid form, figuring it would all
go right through. They did not want me using any kind of fiber supplement
because you have no way of knowing what stays behind in your pouch and
starts to swell. He told me to use Dulcolax, or any other brand, of stool
softener. No laxative in it. They are tiny little red pills and you can
take up to 4 a day, I believe. It did help me. The big thing with
laxatives is it can be addictive and you do not want to spend your whole
life on them. The stool softener is not addictive. But even before you
try this talk to the surgeon's office again. Good Luck and hope you are
pooped out soon! LOL
— zoedogcbr
August 24, 2003
Are you on solid food yet? I find that an occassional ZoneOne bar helps me;
or Atkins Crunchers. Plenty of fiber.
— lorien
August 25, 2003
Also try eating some beans (pinto, refried, etc) to get in some fiber and
drink A LOT of water. I took colace (just the stool softener and not the
one with a laxative)every day for the first month and it was OK with my
doc-- ask your doc what you can take. If you are taking any kind of
narcotic pain killer (like codeine) they can really bind you up. Atkins
Advantage bars also have a lot of fiber but you may not be ready for that
(they're big and you're probably still on pureed or soft food?). Good
luck-- and this will get better!!
— lizinPA
August 25, 2003
Please understand that you will not "poop" the way you did in the
past. You do not have much of anything going in so not much is going to
come out! Try increasing your water intake and ask if you can use
colace...I swear by it. Ialso swear by the old cup of coffee! It works
within a 1/2 hour for me! Good luck and I hope all "comes out"
fine...punn intended!
— Margie M.
August 25, 2003
oh my goodness....I had fine bowel movements in the hospital.....but when I
went home I went maybe only one time in the first 10 days! I thought for
sure I was going to end up in the hospital again but that is normal. Go
get yourself some prune juice.....stuff is nasty but one little glass a day
will do the trick. Give it about 3 days to work. At first you have
realize you are putting such little amount of food in.....don't expect much
out.
— RedHeadBeauty
August 25, 2003
I add a tablespoon of Benefiber to a mug of hot tea. I usually do this for
two days and then things get moving again. I found that if I do it twice
in the same day, then things get moving too quickly...if you know what I
mean. Good luck.
— Rachel T.
August 29, 2003
Hi! I was having the same problem in the 1st, but now I have those
metamucil fiber-wafers, apple cinnamon and I'm regular like clock
work....and it's like eating a spicy graham cracker....it's almost like a
little treat. RNY 07/24/03 30 lbs
— Sheryl Y.
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