SEVERE constipation month postop please help

[Cac93 10]

Hi, really wondering what people take or what they do daily to prevent Constipation. 3 days ago i was severely constipated after not going for 8 days and i was in EXTREME pain and discomfort for 2 days. I think it was the most horrible experience of my life. It got to the point that i couldnt pee from all the pressure and couldnt sit. Went to hospital and they told me to go home and take magnesium citrate (which is carbonated so cant drink) and to do a fleet enema. I took Miralax for a couple days before i finally had to do the enema (sorry tmi) and i finally had relief. I really never want to go through that ever again and im scared its already happening because its been 3 days since the enema and i havent gone or needed to go. Ive been taking miralax daily still and drinking a bunch of Water everyday. Going to walk after work and hope that helps with regularity. So any advice super appreciated!

[Dimples58 167]

I know the feeling. I have never experience such horrible constriptation in my entire life until I had surgery on July 26th,2017. I believe taking all those Vitamins is the root of the problem, practically the Iron supplements. I had lab work done in November 2017 to discover my Ferritin level was above normal. The dietician told me to stop taking the iron supplements and switch to the Multi Vitamins without iron to decrease my Ferritin level. In doing so, my bowel movements are back to normal. When I had this problem nothing worked but good old Phillips Magnesium in liquid form. Take it just before you retire at night with 8oz of Water and by the next morning you won't have a problem releasing. It worked for me, hope the same for you. Always check with your Dr. first. Good luck!

[Deleted Account 151]

17 minutes ago, Cac93 said:

Hi, really wondering what people take or what they do daily to prevent Constipation. 3 days ago i was severely constipated after not going for 8 days and i was in EXTREME pain and discomfort for 2 days. I think it was the most horrible experience of my life. It got to the point that i couldnt pee from all the pressure and couldnt sit. Went to hospital and they told me to go home and take magnesium citrate (which is carbonated so cant drink) and to do a fleet enema. I took miralax for a couple days before i finally had to do the enema (sorry tmi) and i finally had relief. I really never want to go through that ever again and im scared its already happening because its been 3 days since the enema and i havent gone or needed to go. Ive been taking miralax daily still and drinking a bunch of Water everyday. Going to walk after work and hope that helps with regularity. So any advice super appreciated!

Go to the store and buy a Fleet Enema. They’re not bad at all. Then after you use it, begin to take a stool softener everyday. Bless you!

[sunshinetinks 258]

I take This product Peg, can be bought at costco, through the pharmacist. I use it also on my daughter who is in a wheelchair, and it works very well. I also became constipated and it was awful. I take this everyday, 2 tablespoons, in Water or tea. I have a normal bm everyday now. There is no cramps or diarrhea.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

[Cac93 10]

I take This product Peg, can be bought at costco, through the pharmacist. I use it also on my daughter who is in a wheelchair, and it works very well. I also became constipated and it was awful. I take this everyday, 2 tablespoons, in Water or tea. I have a normal bm everyday now. There is no cramps or diarrhea.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you yeah thats what im taking. Polyethylene glycol is the generic form of miralax. Ill keep taking it!

[Cac93 10]

I know the feeling. I have never experience such horrible constriptation in my entire life until I had surgery on July 26th,2017. I believe taking all those Vitamins is the root of the problem, practically the Iron supplements. I had lab work done in November 2017 to discover my Ferritin level was above normal. The dietician told me to stop taking the iron supplements and switch to the Multi Vitamins without iron to decrease my Ferritin level. In doing so, my bowel movements are back to normal. When I had this problem nothing worked but good old Phillips Magnesium in liquid form. Take it just before you retire at night with 8oz of Water and by the next morning you won't have a problem releasing. It worked for me, hope the same for you. Always check with your Dr. first. Good luck!

That is so good to know! At the moment im only taking my Multivitamin until i move on to more solid food since im sensitive to vitamins and vomiting but ill definitely be looking out for that.

[MissSimpson 81]

Idk what’s worse... being stopped up, or being like me - floodgates are open! 🙊 Hope everyone finds some comfort.

[sunshinetinks 258]

Thank you yeah thats what im taking. Polyethylene glycol is the generic form of miralax. Ill keep taking it!

Just a side note: I still take stool softeners as well every morning with my yogurt.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using BariatricPal mobile app

[Beardman 52]

Fiber gummies worked for me...but I took too many yesterday and I'm having the opposite problem 😑. It's like learning how your body works all over again.

[DinaJuneSleever 33]

I take 2 lid full daily I have no problems at all now

[chrisred1 1]

Guys I’m sure youve heard this before but plenty of Water will work wonders for Constipation in the early stages im 2yrs post op and still have bowl problems , more to do with my Iron supplement than the surgery though , just a case of getting to know your body and routine , good luck.

[OscarsMom 9]

Smooth Move Tea - all natural, herbal. Works extremely well, been drinking a cup every other day and also taking stool softeners.

[sojones1438 0]

Milk of magnesia works

[Adams2dc 8]

I’d add colace, which is a stool softener. And make sure you’re staying hydrated!

[mylighthouse 782]

Ongoing Constipation probs for me, so I know the feeling. Been to the ER multiple times.

First, get lots of fluids, exercise if you can.

Milk of magnesia worked amazingly well for me in the beginning. Grab the mint flavored one, regular and cherry are gross (my opinion).

Miralax might help you. Both miralax and milk of magnesia were approved for me to safely use following surgery.

Also, my surgeon said magnesium citrate was fine, even though it has carbonation. I have had to use it several times. Check with your surgeon if you wish, or, if you are avoiding it because you personally cannot tolerate carbonation, then that's understandable. Mag citrate works incredibly well, just stay close to the bathroom if you drink it, because it will clean you out.

Key is to not let yourself get to the point of being backed up, dealing with severe abdominal pain, ER, or pissible bowel damage, you don't want that.

Good luck!

Edited February 28, 2018 by mylighthouse
Stupid fingers!