Question:
I am 6 days post-op with no BM. Should I be worried?

It has been 6 days since my WLS and I still have not had a bowel movement. I am worried that I may have bowel obstruction. How can I tell? I do pass gass (I know this is gross and personal, Im just worried) with no difficulty. Is this normal? My nurse says its because of my pain medication, it slows the process down. Has this happened to anyone else?    — Alexis G. (posted on May 21, 2003)

May 21, 2003
this is completely normal especially if you had bowel prep before surgery. I went seven days with no bm.And being a registered nurse, I know that narcotic pain killers can constipate you. Don't worry.
   — Delores S.

May 21, 2003
I went 14 days after my RNY until I had my first BM. I had a 2-day pre-op liquid diet and bowel prep and 2 week liquid diet post-op...JR
   — John Rushton

May 21, 2003
This happened to me also post-op. I would drink about 4oz. of prune juice and it helped get the "ball rolling." Lisa
   — Lisa H.

May 21, 2003
I had my first BM on the 6th day after my surgery. However, I have heard that some people have gone a lot longer and their doctors have advised them that it's nothing to be concerned over. I also heard some people advise that they helped their first BM along with a little milk of magnesia.
   — Amanda S.

May 21, 2003
Milk of magnesia really worked for me. It was not harsh on my tummy but the taste is like that of chalk. Even the flavored kind is so so. Good luck.
   — Kitty Kat

May 22, 2003
I didn't go for quite a few days as well, post op. I still don't go as often as I did pre-op (only once or twice a wk) and I think it's due to the low volume of food that I eat now. Milk of magnesia has worked well for me (twice), as others have posted, and it is easy on the stomach.
   — Lisa I.