How long till you had a BM post op?

[Shiner86 60]

I it's been 5 days now but what really is there to push out on straight liquids? I don't feel constipated or in pain. Thoughts??

[countrygirl 84]

_{it can be 10 days or so but don't strain or worry t normal}

[habsi 25]

Took my 7 .. I strained though and hurt self hahaha so just be careful now it's every 3-4 days

[4.7.2014 0]

took me six, and it was torturous! but it gets better. you can take stool softeners to help

[angelface811 100]

Took me 12 days...had to be placed on stronger stool softener, laxative and Fiber. It is a bit scary but I would let your doc know so they can help things move along.

[InfiniteButterfly 438]

I was five days out. It was funny because I had just called my bariatric support to ask about it and they gave me permission to take Colase. Not five minutes after the phone call, I was running for the bathroom =P If it worries you, call your doctor and see what you can take. Different doctors recommend different things (for example, mine said absolute no to fiber)

[McButterpants 2,846]

Touch base with your doctor or surgeon. I contacted my NUT at the 5 day mark and told her I hadn't poo'd...she got a little freaked out. She wanted me to have one immediately.

[Kindle 8,667]

5 days but I expected that since it was 5 days after my neck fusion surgery, too. Anesthesia slows down your GI tract as do narcotic pain Meds. I took Miralax day 3,4 and 5, just to help things along.

[JillC878 59]

My story might be too TMI and if it is, I'm sorry.

Just hoping I can help.

The first day I came home (3days after surgery) and has a few very watering BMs. Then NOTHING for days and days. At my post-op visit I mentioned it and they told me to take laxatives (keep in mind I had been following MD orders and taking stool softeners every day). It still took a few more days of taking laxatives before I could go. When I did it very painful and eventually there was bleeding involved (due getting hemorrhoids from the straining I assume). The continued until the next post-op visit when I told the MD about it. The MD told me to take a specific laxative that pulls moisture to your bowl and that is what makes you go. He told me that this happens with some WLS pts. and to just take this laxative when needed (he said it may be everyday or it may be once a month).

You are not feeling constipated so you are probably OK. Are you still on narcotic pain meds? If so, this is more then likely the reason.

If it becomes uncomfortable in ANY way, call your MD. If there is pain involved, call your MD.

Don't forget to tell your MD about all of it when you have a post-op visit.

Edited June 15, 2014 by JillC878

[par1959 470]

I was in about the same condition as you. At 3 weeks out I am still not normal in the BM department. I go for days without and when it does come its not solid.

[InfiniteButterfly 438]

I was in about the same condition as you. At 3 weeks out I am still not normal in the BM department. I go for days without and when it does come its not solid.

My CRNP said not to expect solid BMs until we start eating more solid foods. When most of what you take in is liquid or puree, that's what comes out.

[Forsythia 882]

Intitially I was put back on my metformin, so I would say.. Maybe on day four, since I was on purees by then. But those of you who have ever been on metformin know that everything is loose when you are first put on it. I'm six weeks post op tomorrow and I would say that I go poo once or twice a day. But I come from a line of people who apparently excel at going poop. LOL!

[LumpySpacePrincess 594]

I went two days after surgery. Just be careful with stimulant laxatives which can become physically and emotionally addicting after surgery. Also beware of Fiber capsules as they can expand in the stomach. Miralax this early out is your best bet, but it will take a few days to work. You will probably also go less frequently than before for awhile because you aren't eating enough volume to really prompt your body to eliminate it as often. I used to poop twice a day now I poop about once or twice per week.

[Kindle 8,667]

I was in about the same condition as you. At 3 weeks out I am still not normal in the BM department. I go for days without and when it does come its not solid.

My CRNP said not to expect solid BMs until we start eating more solid foods. When most of what you take in is liquid or puree, that's what comes out.

Not necessarily. Between pre and post op diet, I was on liquids and puréed for 45 days and had normal BM the entire time. The frequency and volume changed because of how little I was consuming, but the consistency was the same. Your GI flora, GI transit time, hydration status and ability of your colon to absorb Water has more to do with your stool consistency than what you are eating. I didn't get diarrhea until my Clostridial infection 6 weeks postop when I was back on solid foods. The infection drastically changed my GI flora and colon's ability to absorb Water, thus the diarrhea.

[Pretty_In_Purple 112]

I used to go to the bathroom (#2) at least once a day, usually right when I woke up. I took pride in being very regular. Now post op I use the bathroom about every 3 days. My nut has told me I'm eating about a third of what I use to and that I won't have a bowel movement every day. She said I could take a stool softener with a laxative if I wanted and to take milk of mag if I go longer than my new norm of 3 days.