Ways to manage urgent bathroom needs

I'm 3 1/2 yrs post RNY and still have occasional (1-2 x/wk) days when I GOTTA GO!  This has been manageable up to now, but I am starting a new job (I'm a nurse) in a couple months working in the operating room- can't leave once a case starts.  Has anyone had experience using activia or something else to regulate?  Thanks in advance! Ginger

Hi there.  I think it would depend of what you mean about GOTTA GO.  If you're "dumping", then you might need to cut back on fatty or sugary foods.  I'm no expert!  Just giving you my take on it.  Otherwise, I haven't taken activia or anything, so I can't help you there.   Sharone

Thanks for your input Sharone.  I'm not dumping, I just have never developed a regular habit.  I won't go for a few days, then I may have a "bad" day where I have to have a bowel movement *urgently* every 30 minutes or so for 2-3 times.  It always happens in the mornings.  Then I may be "normal" for  another day or so, then not go again.  I can't have too many fresh veggies due to the amt of gas produced.  I use citrucel for fiber.  Might just have to stick to evening shift! Ginger

Oh, okay.  I haven't had that experience.  Maybe you should ask your surgeon's office?   Take care.  I'm almost 4 years post op.  Wow, I can't believe it's been that long! Sharone

I know what you mean. Fiber is what helps me. Either fiber tablets or fiber from food, like oatmeal or bran, etc. Must  use regularly. When I'm anticipating a day where pooping is impossible, I'll take an Imodium early in the morning. Eating yoghurt on a regular basis (activa, greek (phage), or anything with live cultures) can help but only after a few weeks and for me, probiotic pills are better. The difference with yoghurt is smaller. My nut recommended Culturelle, which is very, very pricy and I used it but found the difference to be not great enough because of the cost. You may have developed lactose intolerance, which is common in late postops. For that, I've switched to Lactaid milk and to taking a lactose-intolerance pill.  I didn't have luck with Lactaid pills, but like DairyCare, which is available on line and has millions of lactobacillus organisms. You have to take it exactly as it is recommended on the label, and it mad a big difference for me, but again, it takes a week or so to make a difference. Of course, the lowest possible fat diet is best and I also avoid fake sugars, because these irritate my GI tract. On that theory, I'm also taking an aspirin daily to hopefully reduce GI irritation, but I don't know if it is making a difference. YMMV.

Thanks Nancy- I do eat Greek yogurt (love it with toasted almonds and a tad of honey), but not daily.  Also oatmeal but again, not daily.  I am moderately lactose intolerant since surgery - don't  drink milk, but yogurt and cheese are fine for me.  Since I've got a couple of months to experiment with dietary changes, I'll try the yogurt/fiber cereal combo each morning for a couple of weeks and see how it goes.  I'll look into the probiotics too! Thanks again- Ginger