Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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kellynaylor 03/21/2013

I know that this is probably a frequent topic here. I am 6 months out form RNY surgery. At this point I am normally pretty regular with my BM's but every once in a while I will get an episode of constipation. A dose or two of miralax usually does the trick and I am all good again. Well the past two days have been horrible for me. I fell like I have to go constantly, lost of pressure in my bottom. I try to go and sometimes nothing (I don't want to strain too much I already have hemmorroids and a hernia) and other times just a little bit comes out. I am very uncomfortable and feeling kind of sick. I can hear my tummy and bowels making noise and I am keeping food and liquids down so I don't think it is anything more serious than constipation.

I did take some stool softener last night in additional to my miralax. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have never used enemas or suppositories and would like to stay away from if possible.

deleted_user 03/21/2013

I'm still kinda new only a month out of surgery but I went 11 miserable days with no BM. My nurse suggested a dose and a half of miralax and two senokot tablets (it cleared me up) but be warned it realllly clears you out, so be by the bathroom.

Lcat4 03/21/2013

Daily fiber and water helps to keep your intestines happy. I have Clear Fiber in my protein coffee every morning and drink Fibertastic at night before bed. If I ever need it I use Cleanse More for a day or two. Some people swear by Smooth Moved tea.

kellynaylor 03/21/2013

Where do you purchase clear fiber? And what is fibertastic??

ShelleyNY 03/21/2013

I eat some type of fiber daily, either whole wheat bread or crackers, or an some apple, and plenty of water. In the early stages I did use milk of magnesia.
Shelley :o)

kellynaylor 03/21/2013

I always try to eat some kind of fruit daily. I stay away from bread and crackers - no longer like bread (hard to believe, LOL) and crackers are a real trigger food for me - they make me want to eat everything!!

I think I will try some kind of fiber I can mix into my tea in the morning. For the current issue, I may just have to stop at starbucks and get myself a coffee - their coffee usually made me go even before my surgery!!

rubymama 03/21/2013

I've had a rough week with constipation as well. Usually I take a half dose of Miralax every day. I skipped it for a few days last week and now have paid the price. Last night I went out and bought the Smooth Moves tea and drank one cup at bedtime. It took a little longer than they said, but today I think I'm past the worst of it so I have to give thumbs up to that tea! I was eyeing the prune juice too but figured I'd give the tea a shot.

minkmoxie 03/21/2013

I put a fiber supplement powder in my iced tea every day without fail. I also take stool softeners daily. Keeping up on the liquids is good too.

Lucy

Picklelilly 03/21/2013

I had off and on issues and just kept on with water, water, water but since I have been taking a daily probiotic (Bariatric Advantage has chewable once a day) I have been very regular and not "hard" (TMI). Probiotics are important and do alot for us. Kathy

deleted_user 03/21/2013

I have that problem ALOT do to the Jevity. My doctore pescribes Lactolose works like NO OTHER . I have tried everything suggested but this is the one thing that works for me.

deleted_user 03/21/2013

I personally take a stool softener once a week to keep things moving
don't know if its a good idea but only one tab once a week
3 months out, no problems after first scare from surgery
Just my thought

deleted_user 03/21/2013

What about Culturelle? It is a Probiotic. My DH was given that along with his antibiotic. It is suppose to help with stomach upset and keep you regular.

I guess I will ask my doctor about Culturelle and see if that is allowed to be taken after surgery.

SgtSmith 03/21/2013

I started out from the 1st month post surgery using walmart brand equivilent to Benefiber powder. I am over 3 months out now. I take a stool softener 3 times a day and eat All Bran regularly.
You can get really constipated after this surgery, I had a Roux-en-Y in Dec 2012. I think I would be beter off if I drank more water too.

deleted_user 03/21/2013

I had the same problem when i was 3 weeks out
I take 2 stool softners daily and that keeps me regular
but i did have to to an enema and that really helped.

KatLin 03/21/2013

the nurse at my surgeons office suggested to me when I was in your situation .......take one tbs of milk of mag every hour for 5 hrs or until you go. ....I know a couple wls friends who do this......never works for me and mirolax just ads 8lbs of fluid. I actually had to do the suppository route. Now my gp put me on a med for chronic constipation they also use it for IBS with constipation. so much better.

kellynaylor 03/25/2013

Miralax had always helped me but for some reason last week nothing was helping. I ended up staying home from work on Friday I was in such bad shape. Surgeon's office was closed so I called my primary and they told me to try a Ducalax suppository and if that didn't help use a Fleet enema. If that didn't help to call them and they would probably advise me at that time to go to the hospital since it was going into the weekend and the doctor's office would be closed.

I am happy to say the Ducalax suppository did help. But it was terribly uncomfortable and only produced enough of a BM to relieve some of the pressure and discomfort. So I took Milk of Magnesia each night since and I think things are finally moving more normally. I have added prunes to my daily eating plan and am trying to up my water intake. I won't let things go so long before trying something again.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.

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