Constipation is very common after weight loss surgery. Symptoms of constipation are painful bowel movements, difficulty passing stool, and/or when your stool is very hard. Constipation is often times due to narcotic usage after your operation. It can also be due to inadequate water intake or insufficient amount of fiber in your diet.
Remember also the amount of food you are eating is much less and therefore you have a lot less material to make stool. For these reasons your surgeons ask you to take supplemental fiber such as over the counter Bene-fiber.
Weight loss surgery patients do NOT need to have a bowel movement daily. If you are having bowel movements every 2-4 days, and your stool is soft, brown, and not difficult to push out, then you are normal. In contrast, if your stool is very hard, you are on the toilet a very long time, your bowel movements are painful, your bowel movement makes you bleed, or your stool is difficult to push out, then you are probably experiencing constipation. Things that will improve the regularity of your bowel movements and make them softer are the following:
- Increase your fluid consumption. This includes water or any other zero-calorie liquid such as Crystal Light.
- Fiber. Increase fiber consumption by regularly taking over the counter fiber supplements such as Benefiber. You can start this when you are eating regular food.
- Take mineral oil. Take 1-2 teaspoons once or twice daily - this will draw water into your colon and soften your stool
- Colace. This is available over the counter in a suppository or pill form - it should be initially taken once or twice daily, however can be taken more frequently if necessary.
- Eat more vegetables.
- Milk of Magnesia. This is not to be taken regularly, but may be required occasionally.
You should not hesitate to call the Bariatric Nurse if your problems persist or if the above measures do not help @ 210-292-4303
(Information from WHMC Gastric Bypass Nutritional Guidelines Handbook)
