Brand New to the site

[brelee4me]

I'm 3 weeks post op and wondering if anybody can tell me if they have had problems with constipation? I thought with DS it would be the other way around. Is it something to worry about? I don't have any of the foul odors people talk about either not complaining but has anybody else experienced this also? I'm filled with questions as you can tell

[sheanie]

Yupper. After initially having diahrrea for the first 7 days before being told I could take Imodium, I am currently battling constipation. Literally, it's like bricking the chimney. Shaking hands with the president, or whatever other euphemism you like.

Are you on calcium yet? Did you talk to your surgeon? You are early out, so FIRST check with your doctor. It could be the side effect of a medication you are/were on.

I rely on Magnesium Oxide and prunes with every Calcet to keep myself out of pain. Vitalady has a constipation regimen. Google constipation and see what pops up.

[brelee4me]

Thanks I will check with my doctor, and yes I take 1500mg of calcium. I only started calcium in the last week regularly so I'm wondering if it might be to much for me.

[brelee4me]

Thanks I will check with my doctor, and yes I take 1500mg of calcium. I only started calcium in the last week regularly so I'm wondering if it might be to much for me.

[Gail R]

Just wanted to say welcome to the site. We are all sort of new here!

[callmeEJ]

My first couple of months I vacillated between DHR and constipation. You might need to get a nice, gentle laxative to help move things along. I recommend Miralax.

[brelee4me]

Thank you for the warm welcome Gail, can miralax be bought at any pharmacy CallmeeJ?

[callmeEJ]

Jan 4, 2012 14:48:34 GMT -5 brelee4me said:

Thank you for the warm welcome Gail, can miralax be bought at any pharmacy CallmeeJ?

Yep, you can get it as a powder that you drink with water. It's (mostly) tasteless.

[Deleted]

Welcome!

[Joanne]

Hi and Welcome,

For the first 3-6 months your body is going to go through a lot of changes adapting to your new digestive system. It's totally normal to experience bouts of constipation, diarrhea, and everything in between. Dont think that what you go through now is going to be the way it will be for the rest of your life. Things will balance out over time.

Now, about that constipation. Some post ops believe they're constipated because they're not going at all, when in fact you're not eating enough solid food to have a bowel movement. Do you have other symptoms?

It's more common than you think for DS'ers to be constipated. If you haven't gone in a few days, up your fat intake. Use heavy cream, drizzle oil on stuff, drench your food in butter…it wont make you fat but it will probably make you go.

The calcium does tend to bind people up. Are you taking any mag oxide? Try a pill or two at bedtime if the above doesnt work. Lots of people supplement with it every day. Other swear by Miralax. The constipation you have may or may not go away in time, but you're not the only one and there is plenty you can do.

Hope that helps

[sherbearmama]

I had my DS just four weeks ago and found that the two weeks I went every other day or so and it was firm. Then starting on the third wee I began going daily--It was sort of soft serve-ish but it was regular--every single morning. Then this past weekend, I had a very fatty new years eve and the next morning I had a BM and then orange slicks--oil that just came flowing out and sat on the top of the water. Since then I've been a little careful of my fat intake. Fast forward 3 days and I haven't had a BM since New Years Day. I don't feel constipated. But today I upped my fat intake a bit to see if it would make a difference.

I'm EXACTLY like you--I don't have diarrhea and I don't have foul smelling gas (in fact--I have hardly any gas at all!). I think there is a spectrum and we all fall on different places on that spectrum. Honestly, I consider myself lucky because I'd rather be a little binded up than have really loose stool where the urgency is immediate.

Like Joanne B. said, try upping the fat intake over a few days and I bet it cleans you out a bit.

Good luck! And sorry for the TMI!!!

Sheri

[brelee4me]

YOU guys are awesome I feel so much better, I have no pain just thinking I was doing something wrong since they say DS patients tent to be more loose than normal people. I'm so glad I found you guys what a great support system. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!
Sherbearmama- we had our surgery 10 days apart pretty close to each other it will be nice to follow you if you don't mind me checking in on you.

[sherbearmama]

Jan 4, 2012 16:25:20 GMT -5 brelee4me said:

YOU guys are awesome I feel so much better, I have no pain just thinking I was doing something wrong since they say DS patients tent to be more loose than normal people. I'm so glad I found you guys what a great support system. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!
Sherbearmama- we had our surgery 10 days apart pretty close to each other it will be nice to follow you if you don't mind me checking in on you.

I would LOVE for you to follow me and for me to follow you! We're practically switch-sisters!

Feel free to send me a personal message so that I remember your name and we can chat there!

And here is your very first *exalt*!

Sheri

[sherbearmama]

Oh, and we're both about the same age (I just turned 37 in December) and we both live in California!!!! Who was your surgeon?

[brelee4me]

Dr.Keshishian I had it done in Glendale

[brelee4me]

LOL I got a switch sister!!!!

[momx4]

Welcome!!

[Sandra C.]

I have mixed a tbsp of Miralax in my protein fruit drink mixes, and shakes, its tasteless in them. When you can eat fresh fruit, ripe papaya,( not green) works overnight, adding lots of fiber and speeds the process. Try fresh lime on papaya to make it sweeter. ;-)

[Deleted]

Add more fat to your diet. If necessary, put a tablespoon or so of oil in each of your protein drinks. Adjust the amount of fat intake to see how this does for you.

I wasn't doing protein shakes early out, so what I did was to layer butter THICKLY on a cracker or two, once or twice a day. That helped some. Within another week or so, I was adding fat to other stuff as well, as tolerated, and that helped even more.

To this day, I control my bowels with my fat intake and have to eat ENORMOUS amounts of fat, probably a good 150-200 grams per day, to not get constipated. Hmm. I should figure out my current fat intake for grins and giggles....It's always fun for freaking out the doctors and the RNYers *veg*.

[ynona74]

Just wanted to welcome you to the site. I am also new here, but I have found out so much information thanks to the veterans around here. If you post a question it will surely be answered. Good luck! See you around the board.

[Dudette]

Jan 4, 2012 13:09:47 GMT -5 brelee4me said:

I'm 3 weeks post op and wondering if anybody can tell me if they have had problems with constipation? I thought with DS it would be the other way around. Is it something to worry about? I don't have any of the foul odors people talk about either not complaining but has anybody else experienced this also? I'm filled with questions as you can tell

Around the 3rd or 4th week post-op I also started second guessing my crap. I had read so many posts about bad farts, oily poop, diarrhea, etc. that I started to wonder if something was wrong with my DS.

I had my first BM two or three days post-op and it was totally normal. All my BM's for the first month were normal and anywhere from 1 to 3 days apart. I was farting, but not a lot. That was normal too. In a nutshell, I was suspicious about my DS because my shit didn't stink! LOL!

My first encounter with loose stool and running like a mad woman to the bathroom came approx. 30 days post-op after I added some Coconut Milk to a smoothie I made. I found out later that Coconut Milk is a laxative... and a damn good one too.

Anyway... so yeah, I experienced what you've been experiencing. If you want to get things moving without taking a laxative pill you might want to try So Delicious Brand Coconut Milk (or the Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream also made by So Delicious). Just don't stray too far from the toilet for a few hours afterwards until you know how it hits you. ;D

[brelee4me]

I tried the miralax and still nothing but its says it might take a few days to work so I'm waiting patiently LOL I know this all sees so strange to talk about. Glad you guys are here

[yorkie]

Are you drinking enough? walking ? try some colace if the stool is hard. I use Miralax sometimes in morning coffee (need to now as think I have developed a roid). Add a dose of Mag oxide with your calcium doses, that helps most people.
I also need to eat alot of fat to prevent getting constipated and add butter, mayo and heavy cream to everything! Add the fat slowly though in case it gets too much for the new plumbing lol

Yorkie xx

[rena]

i just wanted to say welcome to the site BreLee. It is nice having you here.

[Psyche]

Welcome to the community! I took Imodium for a while post-op, with the blessings of my doctors.

[tillie]

I am 4 1/2 yrs out and I take two stool softeners every night.

Dot