Constipation ?

Hey all,  I am two weeks out and wondering about constipation.  Before surgery I was fairly regular but on the constipation side of the spectrum.  Two weeks post surgery...I have not had a BM all week.  I am in the pureed stage and I can actually feel something trying...but it feels like typical constipation symptoms...

I have my first post-op appt. on Tuesday...I don't think I can go on my own and I am just wondering if I should start taking some stool softener...or wait until I talk to the doc on Tuesday?

Any advice would be welcome.

I know what works for me but as I have the DS...I can't tell you what might work for you.

DS'ers need fat, LOTS of it to "grease the skids". I also take fiber pills every day. I've taken stool softeners but the trick that always works for both me and dh (and we've resorted to it about 5 times in 2 years) is the donut trick...we eat a Krispy Kreme donut...and things move along nicely after that.

Liz

LOL...thanks Liz...I will dream of the donut trick but I don't think I will go that route just yet...lol...

Like I told Price, I was 5 months out before trying that. :)

Although she did qualify it DON'T FOLLOW LIZ'S ADVICE THIS TIME ABOUT THE DONUTS.

You should be fine with stool softeners but I haven't found that they do much good for me.  I do a big scoop of Benefiber in my protein decaf every morning.  Miralax works better but Benefiber is cheaper and it works for me.  But it takes a while and is best used on a regular basis.  You probably need MOM at this point.  You really don't want to get blocked so better to deal with it now instead of waiting.  You can do Miralax 2x a day until you get regular again.  Regular is different for different folks.  I go several times a day, usually.  Some folks go ever couple of days.  You will have to get  into your own pattern but don't let it go too long.  You could also try a suppository but the MOM works and is safe.

LOL, Price...I did say it worked FOR my dh and I...not that it will work for everyone. And we have to be REALLY constipated to resort to it ourselves...the thing is, we've tried other methods and for dh and I it's the only one that works if THAT stopped up.

I think the first time I tried it, I was almost 5 months post -op. And all it takes is one.

re: Liz's advice...lol...at this point I think I will pass on the donut trick...lol

I am going to make a quick trip out to WallyWorld to pickup some MOM and some Equate version of Miralax.  I scoped out the plugged up aisle already so I know what is available...just wasn't sure if I would need it or not.

Thanks a bunch for your help.

I had the whole constipation problem too.  In the end, it turned out that I had an issue with gluten intolerance.  Once I fixed my diet, I was fine.  Stool softeners worked for me when it was an issue.

Personally, I would take either a stool softener or the Miralax as suggested and just let your doctor know on Tuesday.  I do know the Miralax takes a bit longer to work though.

Hope you feel better soon!

fiber and miralax do nothing for me. I had issues preop as well and probably have LBS. I use Milk of Magnesia as suggested by my doctor. I don't wait until I feel constipated anymore though. I take it proactively. Try not to become dependent on it but if you need to get things moving esp. after a week you could use it to clean out and then try the fiber or miralax to see if you can get yourself regular.

I had some issues with it early out and used miralax.  Now I take a stool softener daily and it works for me.