Question:
Has anyone had trouble with constipation post surgery?

I am 3 weeks post op and I am having a terrible time with constipation. I have increased my colace to two per day yet I am going 4 and 5 days without anything happening. I ended up giving myself a fleets about 4 days ago with minimal response and nothing since. My weight loss has stopped. I have not lost anything in over a week. I cannot stand the Metamucil wafers and the doctor says we cannot use the tablets or the granuales....HELP.    — Marie K. (posted on August 14, 2001)

August 14, 2001
Did you look in the archives for the answer to this one? Lot's of good information there. I had the same problem , it's common. Go there and read the many solutions , it's very helpful.
   — Rose A.

August 14, 2001
Hi Marie. I'm sorry you are feeling so bad. When I first got home from the hospital, I was also very constipated. My surgeon told me that was a common side-effect of the pain medication he had prescribed (oxycontin). Sure enough, I switched pain meds, and the constipation disappeared. Good luck to you !!! Kevin
   — meilankev

August 14, 2001
I had the same problem. I wouldn't go for 3-4 days. It didn't make me feel bad, but I asked my doctor anyway. He said as long as I felt fine, it was no big deal. When I went, I went. At 3 months I am still the same way, but every 2-3 days. As for your weight loss stopping, don't worry about it. I went through the same mini-plateus and I have gotten past them every time. My advice is as long as you are drinking enough fluid and feel OK, don't worry about trying to force yourself to go. Your body is different now and you can't expect your routines to be what they were.
   — ctyst

October 7, 2002
I am 3 weeks post op and I had the same problem. The Dr. prescribed Senokot for me. I take 1 nightly just to keep regular but I can take up to 3 pills at a time and it works good for me.
   — Linda G.

October 7, 2002
I have had the same problem I am 2 months post op and only go about every 3-4 days. It is getting a little better. I don't use anything I try to eat high fiber foods. I started eating granola bars and that has helped. I asked my doc and the said that this happens because we are not eating much. It takes time for our bodies to adjust. Also I hit a plateau at 3 weeks and it came off the next week. This will happen. I am down 42 pounds. I was 247 and am now 205. Hang in there!!
   — Angela H.

October 7, 2002
My surgeon recommends Benefiber. So I tried it the other day and it works. Ahhhh. ;o)
   — Jennifer A.