THAT Embarrassing Question you NEED the Answer to, But Hate Asking. LOL

[babiface63]

Just out of curiosity! How soon after surgery and being sent home, should you expect to have your first bowel movement? I had the procedure on 5/30/13, late afternoon. I've been taking colace and miralax every day, the colace, twice a day. I drank 8 oz of prune juice today and nothing but a bunch of gas! I do take pain meds for severe chronic neck/back/knee pain. My back is messed up so bad, the gastric sleeve may not be enough to relieve the pain. But I digress...I guess I'm kind of curious when I should really start being concerned about not having a BM. Thanks a bunch!!

[Lola Belle]

You are not going to have a bowel movement when all you are putting into your body is liquid. It was not until a few days after I started eating food before I had my first. Except for the crazy episode I had the next day after drinking the barium for the swallow test. My doctor told me not to take anything to make it happen until I had been eating food at least a week and if I had not had one, then take something gentle, but I did not need to. Good luck.

[Bilby]

I went on day 2 and then every 2-3 days since. It is a change from my normal once a day but I don't stress on it. I ate some baby food - prunes and apple and along with adequate hydration have been ok.

[rachan1000]

5 days for me lol

[SethP]

I had one in the hospital. liquids out the back side but there you go

[babiface63]

Trust me, all this input you guys are giving is putting my mind at ease! LOL

[jshawhill]

It took me 12 days. I wasn't concerned at all. Didn't have anything in me to go. Lol! Had gas but it didn't hurt. I have been going every 2 or 3 days now. I am 3 weeks post-op today.

[Harley Granny]

My 1st was on my 1st full day home so that would be day 3. I have one about once a day.

[Terri P]

I was sleeved two days before you, and I still haven't gone. I also take quite a bit of pain meds as well.

[mlrisser]

I had montezumas revenge for the first three days, then nothing for 10 days.

[Think]

So you can see that a variety of people here have posted a variety of things. As a nurse, I would mention that the time to get concerned is when you start having lower abdominal pain, or if you have severe nausea or vomitting that may smell like a bowel movement. You are doing all the right things and I would continue the Miralax. Even patients who are fed TPN (artificially feeding an emulsion of vitamins, minerals & lipids) or on IV's for days on end have bowel movements. It's how the body gets rid of waste.

My 15 year old son had reconstructive knee surgery and had never taken pain medications. He went 8 days after his surgery day.

Good luck, and keep up the fluid intake.

[Delores512]

I have had liquid bowel movements since I got home. Lots of gas with them. I had a couple of days in there where I had none and now back to them again. So I guess everyone is different, just as Think says.

[melissalap]

I was sleeved on May 30. It still hasn't happened yet. I was told not to worry, as long as I'm urinating. I have an appt with the Dr tomorrow and it is one of my questions. I still haven't eaten much besides broth and pudding, so I'm not uncomfortable.

[Risty]

My doc saw me 7 days post op and when i didnt have one till the day before the hosital, he said its nothing to be concerned with if i dont in a day or two get milk of magnesia and get some of that down 3 times a day till i go.. i went 2 days later ... i only go maybe once every 5 days but then again i just started food into my body last week so im not worried about it either.

[babiface63]

you are a very lucky person! LOL