Question:
3 weeks post-op and can't go to the bathroom, anyone else had this problem?
— scockburn (posted on October 12, 2007)
October 12, 2007
My surgery was 10 days ago. Despite the walking and water I am having the
same problem for the last 4 days. My surgeon's assistant recommends
suppositories, but I think I'm going to try the chewable pineapple papaya
tablets from Trader Joes today. They have always worked gently before.
Good luck.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 12, 2007
have you tried the stool softners? i know alot of people have this problem
and different things work for different ones. i had my surgery on 10-1 and
have been blessed with bowel movements everyday since. my doctors office
told me to get a bottle of stool softners and use them as needed. Good
luck!! hope this helps.... Holly
— RNlvnCARSON
October 12, 2007
I'm assuming you are speaking of a BM? If so and you've tried stool
softeners and it hasn't worked, contact your doctor immediately. Nothing
to mess around with. Good luck. I was blessed within two days I had a BM
and have been fortunate since.
— Suzanne B.
October 12, 2007
i and my family have this chronic problem, even with the bariatric surgery
18 mo ago. We use Senna Tea Leaf bags. 8 oz boiling water, 2 tea bags of
senna tea. let steep for 10 min and sip. it takes about 10 min to drink it.
tastes very good just like plain tea. we do it before bedtime. Next
morning it works. asked my general dr about it and he said it is ok. and
as i said we have used it for years. I use it 2 - 3 times per wk.
Buy it at Health food store. Make sure it is in bags so it is easier to
use.
— shalmar
October 12, 2007
Sherrie.....this was a major concern for me b/c I have Irritable Bowel
Syndrome and I knew I would have to take something to control this, my
surgeon instructed me to continue to take 1 capful of Mirilax in a 4-6oz
glass of water each night. I count it as part of my fluids and it helps me
to stay regular with no discomfort. It has no taste and is not difficult to
drink. This will take a couple of days to work so don't expect instant
results. You don't need to wait any longer r/t problem, let your surgeon
know. Good Luck.....Rita
— Mimi3
October 12, 2007
I had this problem and I was scared to death because I thought I might do
damage by pushing. Stool softeners did nothing for me, I even started
taking them before the surgery anticipating this problem. My doc
recommended suppositories and that worked. I use(d) Fleets suppositories
an it works well and works fast. I'd highly recommend them. Good
luck...........
— Stacey D.
October 12, 2007
I'm going with the assumption that you've talked to your doc about this, so
I'll just tell you what finally worked for me after 11 yrs. And I'm a
distal RNY! I use Miralax nightly, of course, and 4 stool softeners, but I
finally added magnesium oxide (the commonest form, cheap) daily. That
finally did the trick, as far as making sure what I pass IS passable and
there is at least a little something daily. Because it is just a mineral
we need, it is not like a laxative, so doesn't cramp or anything like that.
I also use mag citrate (pills, not the green bottle) for foot and leg
cramps, but that did not fix my bowel issue. That's magnesium oxide, the
one at your local drug store, every drug store. Personally, I use 2 of the
500's, but 3 ties me tothe bathroom, so if you decide to try that, use your
judgment and start with one til you see how it works.
— vitalady
October 13, 2007
I agree that your doctor needs to be aware of the problem. If they just
recommend a laxative perhaps you might try Miralax. It used to be sold as a
Rx but is now available to anyone. It is the one tasteless laxative powder
that I have found and also includes a stool softener.
— tazthewiz23
October 13, 2007
It sounds like you and I are about the same date and have the same problem!
I called my doc and they said to do try the metamucil. That didn't work
and at 2 weeks they said to do the enema and then the stool softners. Just
as I was about to do the enema, I got lucky and have done the stool
softners but still no bm after that initial one. Called doc again. He said
do the enema. got lucky again. But now....still nothing. So I'm trying the
stool softners-one thing I had to change was I realized I had bought the
gel capsules and realized thats no good for our new tummys. It's gotta be
the caplets so we can break them down.
— wowmomma
October 13, 2007
I am assuming that you mean that you are constipated. First, are you
getting in any fiber? When you eat allot of Protein, this just happens.
As someone else said, take a stool softener. Also, take some Benefiber,
Citracal, or Medimusal. some kind of Fiber. You will find that this is a
problem that doesn't go away. You need about 25 gms of fiber a day to help
with this problem.
— jk_harris
October 14, 2007
I had the same problem, I called the dr and they said to use glycerin
suppositories which helped, I have the problem alot due to pain meds so my
pcp has me taking colace, it works for me. If you feel bloated and backed
up try a suppository or enema first since its been 3 weeks, if it doesnt
help you should call your dr, in fact you should call your surgeons ofc.
you dont want to go this long without having a bowel movement, you could
have a blockage or something. They usually have instructions to follow and
give you a nurse you can contact 24 hrs/day if you have any concerns before
you go home. Good luck!!
— purpleangel0909
October 15, 2007
I also had a prblem a few days out (surg. date 9/27) and was told to use
Milk of Magnesium, 3 tablespoons and did the trick. I now only have a B/M
every 3 days or so.
Clarice
— Clarice M.
October 22, 2007
I had problems after my surgery & my surgeon recommended warm prune
juice. This worked somewhat until he suggested I drink citrucel 2x's a
day. This worked the best & helped to alleviate the pressure &
bloating as well caused by the constipation.
— LornaZB
Click Here to Return