Let's talk about poop!

[Christie13]

I had TERRIBLE constipation up until about 3 weeks ago and I am now 10 1/2 months post op. So let's say roughly for 10 months. I was on daily stool softeners and I even had to use enemas every few days. Now I am not taking anything and am going regularly. A lot of people say it eases up around 6 months but it took longer for me. Good luck.

[MTMiller]

Hi Panda! I was sleeved on August 4th. I like to drink warm apple cider. Before surgery apples helped me go. Now that I can eat more I am going to try 2 prunes also. I know I'm not getting enough water. I have been taking Miralax when desperate.

[Ann2]

Those of you who know you're not getting enough water must figure out how to GET ENOUGH WATER!

Dehydration will not only make you constipated, but make you feel exhausted all the time. And if things get too bad, you'll wind up in hospital with an IV stuck in you -- or worse things can happen. Dehydration can get very serious very fast for WLS patients.

Come on -- you can do this!

[A Fairly Odd Panda]

Hey Ann2! So I would absolutely be on a PPI right now if I was cleared to swallow pills/tablets/capsules. My surgeon won't do that until the end of the 2nd month (which is thankfully approaching). My surgeon did prescribe a liquid PPI, but when I got to the pharmacy, the co-pay was $120.00. I noped the heck right out of there. I was on an H2 blocker for the first month out of surgery (liquid Zantac), but it really wasn't strong enough and I still had reflux pretty bad. I was on Reglan (Metoclopramide Hcl) briefly as well, when the reflux paired with heartburn and I wasn't pooping (around week 3 post-op). It did help somewhat, but one of the side effects is drowsiness LOL. So, sure, I was getting some relief, but I was also falling asleep at work. Had to quit that too.

So basically it's just the wait until my surgeon clears me for swallowing pills, and you bet your weight-losing patootie I'll be right at the OTC for Prilosec. Thank you for asking!

[Cale]

I just got sleeved three days ago. I don't think I went for two days prior either, so it's been at least four or five days since I've had a BM. I feel fine though except my stomach feels a little bloated. Should I be concerned?

[Christie13]

I just got sleeved three days ago. I don't think I went for two days prior either, so it's been at least four or five days since I've had a BM. I feel fine though except my stomach feels a little bloated. Should I be concerned?

Nope. It is normal. You may need assistance for a while. I only became regular at around the 9 1/2 month post op mark. Before that I was on 2X daily stool softeners and 1/2 of an enema every 3-4 days. If you search on here, Dr. A has a video about bowel movements post op. Constipation is normal. Most people use miralax or the like. Most people start to be come regular between 6 and 9 months.

[Cale]

I don't know that I'm constipated though. I feel fine for the most part.

[mara]

Could it be swelling from surgery or the gas? Keep taking your stool softener as prescribed. What are you eating these days? Have you felt the pain when you swallow something as it moves through stomach? I am two days post op. I do better with luke warm fluids vs. cold for now. I am on pureed diet although not eating much at all. Good luck to you

[Cale]

I still don't feel like I need to go. However, my bloating has become extreme and my stomach is rock-hard. I think maybe I'm lactose intolerant. That often causes bloating. The Atkins shakes I've been using have milk in them. Today I'm only going to drink plain water and see if my stomach goes down. I think it will. It seems to already have gone down quite a bit this morning after skipping breakfast. If I feel much better tomorrow, I'll try some Isopure whey mixed with water. But today just water and maybe some vegetable broth.

[Cale]

Finally went this afternoon though not without a struggle. Getting off the diet shakes today has helped with the bloat some too. I'm planning on trying Isopure whey protein mixed with water tomorrow. I never mixed it with water before, but I already didn't care for the taste of it with milk, so I'm thinking it will taste even worse with water.

By the way, for people who haven't tried it, I personally think vegetable broth tastes much better than chicken bone broth. It reminds me of canned green beans. I haven't had beef broth yet and don't think I'll bother since the veggie broth is so good.

[Gvn71]

Weeks 5 and 6 were terrible for me. I was in agony. I tried everything and just couldn't go. I resorted to the big E.... that's right, wet and wild.

Immediate relief, but I was so uncomfortable I couldn't even sit down.

After my relief I continued taking Colace 2x daily as well as Mirolax (my Dr. advised me to do this until I was able to go normally). After about a week things loosened up and I was able to stop the Mirolax and have since weened myself off the Colace as well. Things are working normally now. I do drink at least 100 oz of water daily though, and I am certain that helps. I also make sure I get fiber and veggies daily. If I am just doing protein I can tell immediately that it will cause a constipation issue.

Things do get better.

[Cale]

Reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer borrowed Jerry's hot water bottle. Comedy ensued....

[Gvn71]

Reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer borrowed Jerry's hot water bottle. Comedy ensued....

A fellow Seinfeld fan....... excellent!