The scoop on poop

[gorilamom 3]

This is such a TMI topic I had to try a cute subject line.

Why oh why is Constipation part of the plan for gastric bypass?

Is it because we can't eat veggies until two months post-op?

What happened in surgery that made it this way?

I'm really ready for this phase to be over!!!

[Emmyandlisa 12]

Are we allowed to drink tea that helps that problem? Like Smooth Move?

[gorilamom 3]

I could try that. I even tried drinking some coffee (caffeine) to get things going.

I'm not supposed to have it for a couple more weeks. But I'm desperate .

[goodnuff 239]

Our group nutritionist gave us a list of things to do for Constipation, she has worked with bariatric surgery patients for 26 years so I trust what she says.

-Drink 8 oz of Water and go for a walk

-Add Metamucil or Benefiber to your Protein shakes

-If in soft food phase eat 1/8 cup Bran Buds soaked in milk

-Baby food prunes when on pureed diet

-Over the counter stool softeners or

Smooth Move Tea, 1 cup every 12 hours until you poo, if no results Miralax

-If all else fails and you know you need to go Magnesium Citrate and stay close to a commode

Edited March 11, 2015 by goodnuff

[James Marusek 5,244]

Several months after surgery, I developed severe Constipation. Nothing seemed to work other than shoving a glycerin suppository up my rear-end every 3 days. Something I definitely didn't want to do for the rest of my life. I finally found an easy cure that worked for me. It was eating an apple including the skin of the apple before I went to bed. (The skin is really important.) I have been constipation free for over a year now. I feel like reciting a jingle "An apple a day keeps the constipation away!"

[starbuckscoffeegal 36]

My dr said you should definitely go every other day. She suggested Miralax in a shake or prune juice every day until we can get more natural Fiber in our diet. I had gone almost a week. On day 6 I finally could go but I had been taking Miralax for three days straight before So who knows how long it would have gone on. I don't think this is a TMI subject. We are all going through this... So keep the scoop on poop talks coming. ????

[jmrightsell 0]

My doctor told me to take milk of magnesia and it seems to work for me.

[skc72 138]

I drink Smooth Move tea about twice a week....keeps things moving for me :-)

Edited March 13, 2015 by skc72

[chrissybug 9]

Oh my gosh this is the worst part for me!!! I've NEVER had this problem. I take stool softners, benafiber, and Miralax. I'm miserable all the time. I stopped taking my Iron. I don't like depending on things to help me go.

[Mommabird 367]

Constipation hasn't been an issue for me. My patient's handbook said to start Miralax on my third day post-op, so I did. Now, I take it every other day and have no problems.

[foodfighter78 258]

My surgery is today and I'm worry of the opposite problem have to run to the bathroom often.

[della street 213]

Honestly, this has been the absolute WORST problem/issue I've had w/my bypass surgery (almost 7 weeks post-op). I have a mini-OTC-pharmacy of fiber, laxatives, stool softeners, etc - ugh. After using Fleet enemas a couple of times (if ok w/your doc, highly recommended for fairly instant relief), I knew that I couldn't do that on a regular basis. Started w/stool softeners -- 2 every other day and stopped taking Iron for a few days (also know this can't be a long-term solution). Then I started adding in half of my iron amount, and sure enough, got stopped-up again. Moved to 2 stool softeners every day and hoping/praying that works. As much Water as I can drink, as well, which we need anyway... I don't think enough attention is paid to this issue, since I've spent (and I know others have as well...) time crying, straining, hemorroids bleeding (sorry if TMI), and nearly hyperventilating from straining -- it is a serious, can-be-debilitating issue. Just keep trying things until something works for you, and if it gets unbearable, keep bugging your doc/NUT.

Edited March 16, 2015 by della street

[innwtitdtity 57]

I am 6 days post op and all I have had are the runs. I am not anywhere there isn't a bathroom (that I would use) too far away. I don't start my Vitamins until tomorrow and I am hoping that the Iron will change this.

[Golflady 19]

Miralax does not deplete the body of any nutrients. I had a few doctors tell me it is safe including my RYN doc. I am 3 months post op and use it often.