Question:
QUESTION ABOUT CONSTIPATION?
HI SORRY FOR SO MANY QUESTIONS LATELY BUT I WAS WONDERING, I AM NOW 7 MTH POST OP RNY AND HAVE ANY OF YOU THAT HAVE HAD THE SURGERY HAS HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONSTIPATION AT ALL? i USAUALLY CAN HAVE A BM ABOUT 3-4 X A WEEK ON MY OWN BUT OTHERWISE IF I DON'T USE A LAXATIVE, THEN I WON'T GO ANYMORE THAN THAT AT ALL. IS THIS NORMAL AT THIS STAGE? I HAVE HAD OTHER TESTS DOEN AND MY BOWELS LOOK FINE THE DOC SAID. THANKS SOO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES I REALLY APPRECIATE IT YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! — Melodee S. (posted on August 20, 2003)
August 20, 2003
If the doc says you're fine, and you're not experiencing discomfort, then
don't worry about it. However, I would caution against regular use of
laxatives. After a short while your body comes to rely on them, and then
you won't be able to go at all without them. I suggest ditching the
laxatives and upping your fiber intake. If you can't get in enough fiber
from your food, then use a fiber supplement. I like Benefiber--it doesn't
have any taste and mixes into liquids and soft foods without changing the
texture of the drink or food. I also recently bought a product called
Fiber Health. They are orange flavored and look like pieces of hard
candy. These have 10 calories each, no sugar and 9 grams of fiber. It
promises no excess gas. I haven't tried them yet, but I plan to use them
when it's not convenient to mix Benefiber into my drinks.
— Vespa R.
August 20, 2003
I've had IBS all my life and since surgery I MUST use Benefiber every
single day in my protein drinks and eat fruit otherwise it is a horror
show. Regular use of FIBER is good but regular use of LAXATIVES is not.
It keeps the bowels lazy. You want to try to stay away from too much
laxative use but do everything you can to keep the bowels moving because
it's really difficult to get them going once they stop. I've gone through
this all my life and experienced it a few times since surgery. The history
of IBS with constipation combined with the lowered calorie intake really
does a number on my system if I don't take my daily fiber. I had another
surgery last week and didn't eat for about 5 days. I had an episode of
constipation that nothing was touching. Finally for relief I needed almost
every laxative under the sun (starting with Milk of Magnesia and Correctol
which usually works and didn't going up to glycerin suppositories and
finally a Fleet enema). It was horrible and I was in a lot of pain. A
painful reminder to take Benefiber, eat fruit and drink plenty of water
every day.
— susanje
August 20, 2003
You can also try Flax Seed. This can be ground up in your coffee grinder
(good thing to use it for now that you can't have coffee anymore LOL). You
can put this on your yogert, your salads etc. It has a nutty flavor and is
really good. I don't think it has many carbs in it either.
— Carol S.
August 20, 2003
I also have this problem. After reading all the entries on the Library on
this site; I found the answer for me. I take two stool softeners every
night and use Benefiber every day. So far so good. If I ever need a
laxative (usually just before my periods), I use Ducalax. I take 2 and by
morning, bye-bye. Don't ever let this go one. It isn't worth the pain. If
you continue to have severe problems, there are prescriptions that your
doctor may give you.Best of luck. LAP RNY 8-28-03 down 113 lbs.
— Linda K.
August 20, 2003
I tried the flaxseed and it didn't work for me :( I occassionally use stool
softeners, but try to stay regular by eating a little fresh salad or other
veggies every day.
— Barbara C.
August 20, 2003
My surgeon suggested that I eat GrapeNuts soaked in grape juice (I know it
sounds weird, but it's really good). He also wanted me to eat a couple of
prunes or dried apricots every day. This combination usually works well
for me but he told me never to let myself get constipated since I have
diverticulosis and could end up having to have colon surgery. If I start
to get constipated I take Miralax - a prescription that my surgeon calls in
for me. It's not a laxative but helps keep you regular. It's a tasteless
powder that you can mix with anything you drink.
— Patty_Butler
August 20, 2003
I only have a bm 3 or 4 days a week (couple of times on each of those days
though). I usually find that by having popcorn a couple of nights a week
keeps me regular. I don't eat enough to need to go daily.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 20, 2003
I had one bout of constipation since surgery and that experience I tried
some Benefiber and that works great. I take it at least 3x's per week. It
dissolves w/out a taste in anything so it's convenient.
— Starrlina
August 22, 2003
I have had a lot of problems with constipation since my surgery on 7/21/03.
I have found a combination that works great for me. One Colace pill
(stool softener) and 1 Tbsp. of Benefiber disolved into Crystal Light (or
whatever I am drinking at the time). It works in about 24 hrs. for me. I
hope you get some relief!
— Wendy T.
August 22, 2003
I get a little perplexed sometimes when I see these questions and then see
that someone is going 3-4 times a week. For an RNY postie that's pretty
normal! I wouldn't use laxatives unless things get uncomfortable. You are
eating so much less it just makes sense you would go less, right? Take
heart, though. I started out only going probably every 3-4 days (I talked
with my dr and he said as long as I was not uncomfortable it was OK). Then
added some fiber to my diet and went to every 2-3 days. Now at 2+ years
out, I have finally returned to normal. It just took my system 2 years to
work its way back to a normal rhythm.<p>Natural is better. Don't
worry if you don't go every day. I would think you could 86 the laxatives.
Make the carbs you eat whole grain and raw fruits & veggies to add some
needed fiber to your diet. If things start to get stopped up, THAT's the
time to grab the laxative! ;)
— ctyst
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