Potty troubles?

[NurseGrace 509]

Sooo believe me guys, I tried to just use the search funtion for this but didn't come up with much, I'm sure I am not the first person to ask this but my terminology must be special, I don't know.

Anyway, I was sleeved on 1/22 (last tuesday) and it is now Sunday. Healing up well, feeling FINE except for one thing is worrying me.

I have not had a bowel movement (not even a tiny one lol) since the morning of surgery.

I know I am taking in mostly liquids but still, I would have expected SOMETHING. I did have a post on the bowel prep from hell that was highly unusual and harsh so I could have just really been cleaned out because I don't FEEL constipated, I was just someone who was extremely regular before this.

Please give me some feedback.

[Traci J. 207]

I didn't have one for about a week or so out, then have had one every other day since. You're not taking in much at this point so your body is holding onto it all. It'll improve.

[Richard Foor 655]

It's perfectly normal post op to not have a bm for the first week, my surgeon even warned me about it.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Completely the norm

After 7 days just take a dose of milk of magnesia

It works in about 3 hours for us sleevers

[Southern Gal 20]

I was having big problems too. I talked to a fellow sleeved and she suggested one cup of coffee in the am.....it works! I was always a coffee drinker but was scared to try after my surgery. Give it a try!!

[NurseGrace 509]

I was thinking about making a pot of coffee! I have to go to bed early tonight because I need to take someone to an appointment in the morning so I am not going there tonight but tomorrow AM I'm giving it a shot. I don't feel bad though at all, I don't have that "need to go but can't" feeling, I just wasn't sure if going this long is OK or not.

[MrsGina 101]

I was sleeved on the 22nd as well and no bm for me either. Today is the first day to pass gas and am very happy to do it. Lol. Never thought farting would make someone so excited and boy am I excited.

[Stef 264]

It was nearly a week before my first BM and it was not a pleasant experience once it arrived. Many surgeons recommend Milk of Magnesia or some other stool softener to make things go a little easier. It's advice well worth listening to

[MrsHall42 1]

Hi there!

I was sleeved on 12/31/12, and it was one week to the day before I could "go". Then every few days. I'm about to start week 5 and it's becoming more regular.

Hopefully you will get to where it's more regular. I think it just takes time since we weren't really eating.

Good luck to you!

[Lander 74]

I have not had a "regular" movement since the surgery six weeks ago. As it happens, sometimes when I'm on the toilet I pass gas. When I wipe myself I can tell that something else came out though I don't feel anything else come out but the gas. Check the toilet and sure enough, there is some poo-coloured silly string. That's all I ever get. And it only comes about once a week.

[Loser2B 14]

I had the same problem post op and the surgeon told me it was normal not to go after surgery. So 3 weeks out I had gone maybe twice and that was always with milk of magnesia. Last Sunday I ended up in the ER I had an obstruction. Still battling "potty issues". I take 3 stool softeners a day and nothing. I have an appointment this week with my surgeon, something has got to give, I feel miserable. Hope things get better for you.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

It's difficult being regular once you're a sleever. At first you're not eating anything so there is nothing there. Then when you do start eating, you're not eating any Fiber so.....it's a constant battle. I used Miralax for a while and that helped. Then started adding chia seeds to my Protein shakes about 3 months post op and that really helped. Now I also make veggie shakes every day and I almost feel like a normal person most of the time, but still have traffic jams occasionally.

But be careful, once you start feeling those first gas sensations coming on....remember our motto....never trust a fart.

[doreen70 268]

The New Whey I had the first few days post op caused instant diarrhea. I stayed fairly regular until I could eat food. Then I would go days without a bm. At 3 weeks doc said I could have regular coffee, and it worked.

[DebLW 7]

Can't believe I'm sharing this, but....I was sleeved 1/23 and hadn't had a BM until today. Then, it literally felt as though a floodgate had opened and I had diarrhea at least six times. I can't figure out why, because I have had no solid food. But one positive side effect was that my horrible left shoulder pain finally subsided.

And I'm starving! What's up with that??

[NurseGrace 509]

It's difficult being regular once you're a sleever. At first you're not eating anything so there is nothing there. Then when you do start eating, you're not eating any Fiber so.....it's a constant battle. I used miralax for a while and that helped. Then started adding chia seeds to my Protein shakes about 3 months post op and that really helped. Now I also make veggie shakes every day and I almost feel like a normal person most of the time, but still have traffic jams occasionally.

But be careful, once you start feeling those first gas sensations coming on....remember our motto....never trust a fart.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CANT TRUST MY FARTS?! we have a long, healthy relationship that goes WAY back!? You are telling me they are going to betray me!?