Constipation Revisited

[the best me 6]

Okay gang, I have been researching old threads and there is lots of good info and I have come up with several great options...but I don't have the stamina or time (due to 2yo son at home with me) to search carefully, AND since I am such a new bandster, I'm not sure how much all the info applies to me, AND since we have so many new bandsters, a new thread for the newly banded would not only help me, but others, so here goes...

I was banded Friday, today is Wednesday (day 5 after surgery). Since Saturday, I have eaten chicken broth, hot tea (caffienated), V-8 juice, fruit Nectars (guava, mango, etc) 1 scoop of Protein Powder daily since Monday, 2tbsp daily of Centrum liquid vitamins since Monday, Water, and maybe 4-6oz a day of caffienated coffee with a little sugar and non-dairy Creamer (the creamer being the only "iffy" thing I have had). Total liquids daily is about ??? maybe 45-60 ounces? I feel, not full, but not particularly hungry, certainly satisfied by my intake, although it doesn't leave me with very much energy.

So I have my pouch, which basically stays empty due to the liquids going on down, no problem there, and my lower stomach, which gurgles and "grinds" so to speak doing little to nothing with the liquids it's getting, and then there's my bowels. THERE is where I feel "full". Bloated. Like I need a good Bowel Movement!!! I haven't been completely unproductive...(Sun am and Wed am, this morning) I have had small but very, what's the word?, unsatisfying bowel movements...know what I mean? I feel like I need some bulk, some Fiber, some good ole movement, and I'd feel so much better.

So based on what I have read so far...here are my options...

Benefiber-mixed into my juice

Mirilax-RX for my daughter that Paula took and it helped her, I have this

Can I take these so newly banded?

Exlax

Colace or Docusate Sodium

Glycerin Suppositories(eww, but I will if it will help!)

What should I do or take, if anything?! Thanks everyone, I know this will help other newbies, and you newbies chime in and tell me if you are experiencing this also...SURELY I am not alone. What have you done? Thanks

[daisydoodle 0]

Try some good old fashion prune juice. That's what worked for me after surgery. Also, the pain med they give you can make you constipated. If you can handle it, wean yourself off of that.

It's normal to feel pretty bloated after surgery...

[the best me 6]

Try some good old fashion prune juice. That's what worked for me after surgery. Also, the pain med they give you can make you constipated. If you can handle it, wean yourself off of that.

It's normal to feel pretty bloated after surgery...

Okay, no pain meds since Monday night...I have only taken 3 pills since the surgery. Will buy prune juice today...thanks!

[Iluvharleys 15]

Warm apple juice works good too!

[vinesqueen 2]

Apple juice never did anything for me, infact, pectin from apples helps folks who have diareah...

Prune juice is a great suggestion, but frequently doen't do the whole trick for me. I'm a few weeks ahead of you Kathy, and I've moved to metamucile. I think I'll have to switch to benifiber though. the metamucile makes me feel full.

[gypj 3]

I was told no Metimucil or Citrucel because they have psyllium which will stretch your pouch. I just drink the citrium magnesium (taste like yucky 7up)...and some Water...that normally does the trick within an hour for me...warning...it gets rid of EVERYTHING...I thought perhaps because of the carbonation I would have issues but nothing at all happened and i've done it twice since being banded (10 days on this week).

Just my .02

Meshawn

[Iluvharleys 15]

Gee, that is strange how apple juice really works for me! Leatha recommended it to me and it has worked for me everytime! I'd hate to see what prune juice did to me then!

[Tarafeena 1]

I take a swig of milk of magnesia twice a week.. not sure if I spelt that right... Works like a charm!! I get the french vanilla or strawberry flavor...Good luck with that... Was it Paula that was going to use dynamite??? I'm Wondering how that worked...Lol

[Vicki Loichinger 444]

Good luck.

I am nine weeks out and still have problems. I used to be a two times a dayer and now three times a week if I am lucky. Drives me nuts. (gosh I ate a lot of "stuff" before surgery)

Benefiber chewables have helped some.

But I swear I feel like I need some of that prep stuff they give you before surgeries. I feel like I need to be cleaned out from top to bottom.

So I am just comiserating.

Hugs

[the best me 6]

I guess I have to get used to being less frequent, and as I move to mushies, and more REAL food, it should actually help. The bloat is gone, but I have been dealing with the fall-out from a bad PB lately, so very little liquids anyway...I'm just happy to keep those down.

[Penni60 45]

I use Senokot and it works great for me. But honestly, you don't have much to get rid of either. And it takes a good while before the gut wakes up from the anesthesia. So give youself time to adjust before you start MAKING it do it's thang. LOL!!

It takes a good 7 days for the gut to adjust back to normal. That is if you are eating normal food. We bandsters do not eat normal food for at least a month sometimes so the bowels are gonna be slow to react. Also, new bandsters still have the gas and bloating from the surgery being absorbed as well so that is another factor to take into consideration.

TIME is what is needed. But if you are ready for an evacuation then I use Senokot. It is a natural remedy and it is not as harsh as Exlax or some of the others. You can get it at any drug store or Walmart or target.

Hope this helps

[KarenB 0]

I've not tried the Senecot. The Benifiber works somewhat, but I should own stock in that company by now; I have to take a TON.

The only thing that really & truly works for me is the Phillips MO. It's non-stimulating and good for hemmeroid (sp?) sufferers, which is what we'll all be from being constipated, and it really works great. 2 TBSp. w/a lot of Water at night.

If that stops working, I'm next in line for the dynamite.

[paula 4]

Awe Kathy, so sorry you are dealing with this! Being constipated is so uncomfortable - believe me, I know (Queen Dynamite, here;) ) !

The benefiber worked for a few days for me... then it stopped!

So here lately Ive been taking 2 generic senekot's every other day/or every 2 days... it works! It works very well!

Good luck!

[Jammin & Losin 1]

I just had to pipe in and say that I'm keeping a list of all the suggestions for future problems my self and ..........I HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!