constipated.... whats the deal with Laxatives after WLS?

 okay.. I know.. disgusting topic. But I am so constipated I cant take it anymore! 

My mother who is not a DR. told me to take a powder version of a laxative. I went and picked up Meralax. Its a powder. supposed to be tasteless.  I'm kinda scared to take it... anyone have similar issues? and what have you done to ease your Digestive system? 

Ive never taken one before.. even pre OP. Im 10 weeks out.. thanks in advance! 

When I was my surgeon told me to take Dulcolax 2 in the morning and 2 at night until you go. Let me tell you the first 2 I took it worked for me. I hope this helps.

My surgeon recommended Miralax - it is tasteless - I mixed it with water and it went down fine.  He also said I could take chewable Milk of Magnesia.  They both worked okay.
Good luck.
L.

I take miralax and benefiber pre surgery. Even my son takes miralax and duclox and it is safe for him. So if it is safe for a child I am sure it is safe for you as well. I heard many are using it after surgery. There is no smell, taste or grit to the stuff so get tha****er in! 

My doc never mentioned anything about constipation, but it was starting to be a problem for the first time in my life shortly after surgery.  I had read on these pages to try benefiber packets available at walmart.  I use the strawberry/kiwi ones and mix them in my water I drink.  A whole packet was a bit much so now I just put half a packet in my drink every once in awhile.  Seems to work.

Up your daily water intake is one of the easiest things to try first

Benefiber has them in tasteless form as well in the packets that go in your water bottle it says to have 3 of them a day. So anytime you are drinking water the benefiber should be in tha****er bottle to keep you regular! 

Hi Kelly
I'm 3 1/2 mo out..and started having this same problem 1 week after surgery and to this day still do to some degree.  I added Benefiber (unflavored) to my bottled water every day. Usually by day's end I had used 3 of the individual packets. I pkt per 16-20oz bottle of water.  I also used the Ducolux (sp) stool softner (1 pill 3X a day); however it wasn't all that effective unfortunately.  It did make it less painful when I did finally go but didn't help with the effort to start the process.  If you are able, up your walking or other exercise, drink as much water as possible. Oddly enough, the one thing I found to help loosen things up is drinking at least 1 cup of decaf coffee in the morning.  I don't remember decaf tea having the same effect but the decaf coffee (I use Folgers) was surprisingly very effective.  My doc did tell me that after I hit the 3mo mark, I could use a mild laxative, such as Correctal, but I was really hesitant to try it and the decaf coffee has helped to eliminate the problem.  If it's any consolation, when I took this same question to my support group, they all let me know this is quite common after surgery.
Hope this helps some and Congratulations on your surgery!
Sunray

Hello Everyone:

There are two types of laxatives: bulk or stimulant.  All Miralax does is cause the intestines to absorb more water, and the others fiber type works sometimes for some people.  However, some people need a "stimulant" laxative like X-lax.  The "Equate" brand from Walmart is perfect.  It is made with Senna which is an herb, it will not hurt you and it WORKS FOR EVERYONE!  However, there is another natural herb that WORKS also for everyone, and like X-lax, it cannot hurt you, it is called Cascara Segrada.  I don't know why, but the smartest doctors always recommend remedies for constipation like:Miralax, Metamucil, etc.  They just don't work for alot of people and they are very unpleasant to ingest.  Go to Walmart and pick up a bottle of "Cascara Segrada" in the pharmacy section, in the "vitamin/herb isle" and I guarantee you won't regret it.  Swallow a capsule or two and that will solve constipation forever.......it cannot hurt you, you will save money, swallow with a sip of water, and above all - it works on everyone.  Miralax is full of sodium and can cause bloating and swelling, tastes icky, and just does not work for serious constipation - and you'll spend more money on it. 

Hope this helps!

Have a Great Weightloss Day,
COMETGIRL

 Just eat a handful of those sugar-free Russell Stover candies made w. sugar alcohols (the p.b. cups work best, IMHO) and you'll soon be on the go (remember, "excess consumption can have a laxative effect"  )      ..