Constipation - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

mlwberger · 10-16-2009, 09:51 PM

OMG...you guys...did you have problems with being constipated early after surgery? What can I take? I am miserable!

LaDawnS · 10-16-2009, 10:15 PM

Yes, it's not much fun!

I mix 3 tsp of benefiber into my flavored water morning and night, drink 8 oz of prune juice everyday and if you still have issues, my dr recommended MiraLAX. Make sure you're getting in all of your water and good carbs. I was given a tastey, very easy flaxseed muffin recipie-good way to get more fiber in!

1/4 C. ground flaxseed
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1 TBSP. Splenda
@ 1/2 tsp cinnamon-according to taste-optional
and/or @ 1 tsp cocoa-according to taste

mix together well, pour into a coffee mug, microwave for about 1 minute, let cool and enjoy!
I put a tiny bit of creme cheese frosting on them and it's like having a REALLY HEALTHY cupcake!
Hope this helps! Good luck with everything!

Josephine · 10-17-2009, 04:23 AM

I dunno if it helps you but milk keeps cleaning me out.

mistymee · 10-17-2009, 06:30 AM

Well, for me, the only routine that has worked enough to keep me from having to snake the toilet after every poo is

AM: probiotics 2 capsules
colace 2 capsules (stool softener)

midday: 1 dose miralax

PM: probiotics 2 capsules
colace 2 capsules

The probiotics have also shown to help with weight loss after bypass in some studies. I didn't start soon enough on those though.

judijo · 10-17-2009, 02:22 PM

I have been dogged with constipation my entire life. I was laxative dependent as a youth, so I am very careful with laxatives now.

My PCP's wife had WLS years ago, and right after my surgery he asked me if I was constipated. He recommended stool softeners daily. I am now 1.5 years out and take 2 capsules at night and one in the morning. No problem any more.

If you are really suffering now, take some Miralax 2x day until relief. Then start the stool softeners to get you going on a regular basis.

Band_Groupie · 10-24-2009, 10:23 AM

I never had any problems before, but I have post-band. I've only had to take a laxative twice; once right after banding so I wouldn't have a problem (don't need that pain right after surgery) and then the second time was a few days ago when I noticed my abdomen was getting very tender and I hadn't gone. I have been taking 2 spoons of Benefiber in my protein oatmeal every morning, but I'll have to up that and add some in the evenings as well since I'm still having a problem. One of the biggest things you need to watch is getting in enough water. It's funny how the band can change your whole system...I couldn't even eat Raisin Bran cereal without having diarrhea before and now I've got the opposite problem. We're eating a lot less so that slows things way down too. Good luck -BG

Aviator · 10-25-2009, 08:22 PM

Not sure how far Post-Op you are but this works for me:

1 Drinking all my fluids of course

2 Minimum of 30 gms of fiber per day (Fiber One Cereal with fat free milk, mix in 5 almonds for addl protein and fiber will get you half way there) Dont you DARE sweeten with sugar!

3 Konsyl (sugar free psyllium husk laxative supplement) mixed with a liquid.

If you are too early Post OP forget I mentioned 2 and 3.

Edit: Just noticed your surgery date. You may be too early. I was not on full diet, but getting close at your pouch age.

Snow-Belle · 11-13-2009, 06:19 PM

I'm over a year out from surgery and still have major issues with constipation.

I never had constipation before in my life, before I had the surgery.

I ended with anal fissures and had to have surgery (both the anal fissures AND the surgery were awful) because of my constipation issues.

I never responded to the normal treatments (miralax, colace, fiber, etc.). The surgeon that took care of my anal fissures feels in my case my constipation is a 'complication' of my surgery...I'm on lactulose (oh, you just don't want to know how UN-FUN taking this is!) and will probably be so for the rest of my life.

Try all the usual rememdies (lots of fluids, miralax, benefiber, colace) but if none of the work, insist your doctor take it seriously before it gets worse.

mistymee · 11-13-2009, 06:24 PM

Michele, I know you have a serious case of things.. have you tried the triple play that I use, of the 2 colace, 2 probiotics in the AM, miralax mid-day and the 2 colace, 2 probiotics in the PM before bed?

That has really made a world of difference in my life. I'm actually going twice a day these days! And I don't snake my toilet at all anymore and I was having to snake it after every for MONTHS... not fun

Now I don't freak out about having to use someone else's bathroom either.. cuz I'm not worried about backing it up.

the probiotics I take is the PB8 that I buy from Netrition.com - The Internet's Premier Nutrition Superstore!

Aviator · 11-14-2009, 07:31 PM

My doc suggested MoM immediately post op for constipation. I tried it once but it gave me the "trots". But it will loosen things up before the full diet phase.

I now use Fiber One Cereal, Konsyl or Metamucil if I have a problem. You should try to ingest 30gm of fiber a day and 64oz of non-carbonated clear liquid.