Constipation, Please Help

[lovy]

All,

I am a week out of my Surgery and I just can't do #2. Can I take Laxative? Heartburn is also killing me . Please any advice is appreciate.

[Tony Baker]

You should ask your doctor, or just send a quick email or call your contact. I would imagine that you could take a laxative, but I'm not certain.

Are you drinking fruit juices and water? I believe the guide says you should have 2 quarts of water per day. If you're dehydrating, that could be part of the problem.

[eyeofthetiger]

Pain meds will cause constipation so even the ones you had in the hospital (if your not taking them anymore) could still be causing the problem. I was told stool softeners are ok but I'm not sure about laxatives. Drinking more water will help too. A quick call to your doctors office might be a good idea.

[cameonicole]

I heard no lax!!!!! I was told milk of mags.... Or an enema..... But i had the same problem. I hadn't gone in like 2 weeks and 2 days ago i had a lititle bit of soupy mashed potatoes and last night i had the juice off of some crock pot delicious pinto beans and now Im ok. I think bc we havnt eaten there isn't much in there. But i tried magnesium citrate taste Luke nasty sprite but tolerable and nothing and i did not wanna do an enema . Thank god for bean juice. Good luck.

[Tony Baker]

Oh yeah, they did give us something like milk of mags in a bottle, but I have never used it. It will probably make you go go go!

[jackiebthe1]

I was told by my clinic to take Miralax. It works great. I would put the powder in some crystal lite and you can't taste it at all. I still use it since I don't get enough fiber. Also, over the counter zantac works great for heart burn.

[lovy]

Thnak you All Guys, My heartburn and chest pressure since yesterday is juts getting worse. I can't even sleep. justwaiting for daylight to call my Dr office. and try the stool Softner.

[jane_vsg_ayla]

Second the Miralax as it was prescribed for my infant son many years ago before you didnt need a prescription - non habit forming and gentle and all, but if you are really worried and cant get hold of doc and are desperate, I would say use a suppository or enema - that way you arent putting anything through your stomach. Since your intestines werent operated on, they should be "normal" enough to do this. But I am *not* a doctor - it just seems logical to me that this would be ok. So... wait on doc answer if possible!

[UK Tim]

Drink 3 litres of water a day. That will sort you out. But only sip if you are sleeved. You have time on your side; nothing to worry about. Just stick to what the quacks say and you'll be right.

[UK Tim]

I am confused. That last posting has another colleague's picture attached. Any tekkie-bods out there able to explain?

[UK Tim]

PS: I really resent the idea that I wear a blue dress.

Red is much more me (g).

[holeymoley]

my heartburn made me turn to the bottle of milk of magnesia that was given when i left the hosptial....not sure if thats what got me going or not but i haven't stopped...now i have to be careful about letting gas go just in case. i sure didn't have your issue but yes do get some advise.

[rylynn]

You can use miralax to help you it is safe for gastric sleeve..I have prescription nexium for the heartburn..it is safe also.good luck i am only 3 weeks out myself.

[grammysyd]

I was told Milk of Magnesia for constipation and lots of water - as much as you can get in. You also need to walk, even if it's around the house. Exercise will induce it. Your dr. should have put you on an antacid right out of the hospital---my dr. did and I still take it. It's Prilosec. At first, it was a pill that dissolved in your mouth - wasn't bad, now I take a pill once a day and it keeps it in check for me - haven't had a problem. I guess you need to ask for Prilosec. (might not be spelling that right!)

[LeslieF]

It is normal to have a change in your bowels post surgery. You should be following the diet that your doctor and dietician gave you post surgery. I had the same problem. You will need to increase your fiber intake as well as your exercising. My dietician told me to increase my exercising and to use a metamucil type product to add to my meal plan. Do discuss this with your dietician. While doctors will give you meds or something over the counter...a dietician could offer some non-medical approaches that will solve your problem and provide some variety in your diet. Basically -get moving and take in more fiber! Good luck!