Bowl Movement Post Op

[ComCoach 0]

I had LapBand surgery Wednesday 11/28/07 in the morning. It's been 4 days and I have not had a bowl movement. Is this normal? My prescribed diet was Clear Liquids the first 24 hours post surgery, then 3 Protein Shakes a day and one alternate (1/2 cup cottage cheese, sugar free pudding, etc.). I make my shakes with fat free milk, Protein Powder, a few ice cubes and a 1/2 - cup of frozen fruit (1/2 banana, strawberries, or blueberries, etc.). I've had no problem getting the 3 Protein shakes down and a couple of sugar free popsicles. I just sip everything slowly and make it last 30 - 45 minutes. However, I'm concerned that I've not had a bowl movement in 4 days, is the normal? I'm typically a very regular person.

[HappyCamper 0]

I had LapBand surgery Wednesday 11/28/07 in the morning. It's been 4 days and I have not had a bowl movement. Is this normal? My prescribed diet was clear liquids the first 24 hours post surgery, then 3 Protein shakes a day and one alternate (1/2 cup cottage cheese, sugar free pudding, etc.). I make my shakes with fat free milk, Protein powder, a few ice cubes and a 1/2 - cup of frozen fruit (1/2 banana, strawberries, or blueberries, etc.). I've had no problem getting the 3 Protein Shakes down and a couple of sugar free popsicles. I just sip everything slowly and make it last 30 - 45 minutes. However, I'm concerned that I've not had a bowl movement in 4 days, is the normal? I'm typically a very regular person.

I had the same problem after surgery. Someone suggested taking Benefiber, and that did the trick. You can mix it in your shakes, pudding, or anything else. It doesn't thicken up like Metamucil, so you don't have to guzzle it down fast. Hope this helps.

[hungryforchange 0]

Mine started back on its own around day 5.

[ComCoach 0]

Thanks. I give the Benefiber a try.

[hollyberries 2]

I so can relate. I was constipated for a week. I was given Colace as a liquid prescription because the doc said that the narcotics can bind you up. However, the Colace did not work for me. I finally took a Correctol; out of desperation. That worked well but I don't recommend it because it was in a pill form. I also tried drinking watered down applejuice. Someone recommended prune juice as well. It will get better trust me. My doc recommended Milk of Magnesia.

Good Luck!

[kaohinani 0]

Well for one thing you haven't had any solids for a while, so probably not much to push thru, but it will come, if you feel like you have to and still having problems, try prune juice when you are at that stage, my hubby and I are 3 and 4 months out after surgery and we eat prunes daily to keep the flow going or we do get constipated. Good Luck

[ComCoach 0]

I guess just talking about it, made it happen! I had my first bowel movement last night (day 4) without any product assistance. Figured I should note this in case future threaders happen upon this. However, it was not easy if you know what I mean. So I've started adding Metamucil to my Protein Shakes. Thanks everyone for your replies. This website is incredibly reassuring and wonderful source of information. :clap2:

[kuchiegrl1 1]

you are all very lucky in my opinion. I on the other hand had the opposite. i had what you would call "accidental bm's". I had such bad diarrhea that I became housebound because i was afraid to be far from the toilet. It really sucks, i am still this way at day 8! My doc said this is normal as all i am taking in is liquids.

Note: I did not take pain meds, only anti-nausea suppos. Constant nausea is not fun,but soon this road is ending and i will be on a new road. The full-liquids road!!!! whoooohoo.

Good luck to you all.

Debbie

[nygirl 0]

Took me several days after surgery. Still not producing a lot. Maybe because we are not eating a lot. May want to call your docotr and check.

[Mrs Husker 3]

I still have this problem and I am almost 9 months out. When I need it, I take MOM. The cherry flavor is pretty good. Works like a charm. I tried prunes, but they hurt going down.

[aubrie 6]

I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op. I was constipated for 6 days after. Doc recommended Milk of Magnesia. Then I had explosive diarrhea. then constipated, then diarhhea. In 15 days I've only had one normal BM. I've NEVER had to force a BM. Now I do, and it hurts. I even got hemmorhoids. It's just awful. I hope this isn't something I will have to deal with from now on, as I soiled my clothes at work the other day. I wanted to cry. I started drinking 2 oz. of prune juice every night before bed. so far it seems to help a little, so I will stick with it. Stupid me, I thought gee, "Liquids in... Liquids out...." It's just not so.

[lovekatz1975 1]

4 days for me. The doctor said this was normal, because of the severe decrease in food intake.

[*susan* 1,709]

I went a week after I had my surgery. It finally took a good dose of Milk of Magnesia to "get things moving". Periodically, I find that I still have to use it. I usually take it at bedtime on the weekend to guarantee I will be at home near my own bathroom when things start happening.

[RangerGin 0]

Tomorrow will be a week post op for me, and I'm not sure if what I am having can be considered an actual BM. It is mostly liquid with some solid. I figured that its probably because I am only drinking liquids. I'm not really feeling badly, and I have gas but I think that is normal. I am going to see my doctor on Thursday so I figured I would ask him then.