If you’ve had gastric sleeve in Turkey and still struggle with constipation, you’re certainly not alone. Constipation after gastric sleeve surgery is very common among patients. Thankfully, however, it’s usually temporary and can be managed easily.
Gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy is simply about cutting out a big chunk of your stomach to make you feel full quickly after eating and encourage you to lose more weight. However, the surgery can also cause other unpleasant side effects like constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.
constipation can cause discomfort and affect the overall quality of life of the patient. It’s important to understand the connection between weight loss surgery and constipation and the measures that can be taken to prevent and treat such a problem.
Is Constipation After Gastric Sleeve Normal?
If you’ve just had gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey, you’re going to face a lot of changes. Constipation after gastric sleeve is quite normal and common, but is often temporary and resolves with time.
Indeed, many doctors consider constipation to be just a normal part of the journey, so don’t get too nervous about it. You may have trouble drinking as much water or eating as much fiber as you used to, and your diet is likely to change a lot. Plus, the medications you’re taking may make constipation even more likely. Just hang in there and give it time. It’s likely to go away sooner than you think.
Nonetheless, everyone is different when it comes to the frequency of their bowel movements. Some people visit the bathroom a couple of times a day, while others are more like once-a-week visitors. If it’s been more than three days since your last visit to the bathroom, that may be a red flag.
The longer you go without defecting, the harder your stool can become, making it a real struggle to push it out. If you’re having too few bowel movements, you may face more straining and your poop may become rock-hard or pebble-like, which might make you feel bloated, constipated, and frustrated. In fact, constipation after surgery is a source of regret for many patients.
Causes of Constipation After Gastric Sleeve
Obesity surgery in Turkey, particularly gastric sleeve, can lead to changes in the digestive system that can result in constipation. This can be due to a number of factors, including:
Reduced Food Intake
Weight loss surgery results in reduced food intake, which can cause a decrease in the amount of fiber and fluid in the diet. That alone can cause constipation over time. So, it’s important to pay enough attention to portion size.
Reduced Physical Activity
The gastric sleeve can also result in reduced physical activity because patients may feel fatigued and exhausted to do exercises after the surgery, which can lead to constipation.
Caffeine Intake
it’s important to be mindful of your caffeine intake. Depending on the person, it can either have a laxative effect or make constipation even worse. In either case, caffeine might be a source of problems after surgery.
Supplements
let’s not forget about those supplements you may need to take. After having gastric sleeve surgery, it can be tough to get all the nutrients you need from food alone, so supplements might be prescribed to you by your doctor. However, be warned, some supplements like iron can lead to constipation. To counter this, your doctor might recommend taking a stool softener along with your iron supplement.
Changes in the Digestive System
Since gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy alters the anatomy of the digestive system, food will not pass smoothly through the body, making it more likely to develop constipation and other symptoms. According to a study, bariatric surgery can change the patterns of gastrointestinal motility and nutrient digestion and absorption.
Medications
Certain medications taken after gastric sleeve can also cause constipation, such as pain medications and calcium carbonate. It’s important to tell your doctor about your constipation to prescribe better medication for you.
Quick look at: gastric sleeve 10 years later
Treatment of Constipation After Gastric Sleeve
If you haven’t gone to the bathroom in over three days, you need to take some action. You can try taking Dulcolax tablets, but make sure to follow the right instructions. Here’s some advice to help you avoid constipation after your bariatric surgery:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help keep things moving. Aim for at least 1.3 liters a day.
- Move around: Take some short walks throughout the day or as much as you can handle to help your body function as smoothly as it should. Consider cardio, yoga, or pelvic floor exercises.
- Use laxatives: If things get really tough, try using Metamucil, Dulcolax, and other types of laxatives. Just make sure to follow the instructions for the best results. However, if you don’t see results within 24 hours, don’t hesitate to reach out to your bariatric care team for some help.
- Get enough fiber: Fiber is the secret ingredient that keeps your stool soft. You can take fiber supplements (15 grams a day). It’s not just about getting enough protein in your diet after a bariatric procedure. You’ve got to keep an eye on fiber too! If you’re looking to add more fiber to your diet, you can start with some tasty options, such as oatmeal, nuts and almonds, fresh fruits and berries, veggies, and leafy greens.
Prevention of Constipation After Gastric Sleeve
Constipation can lead to unpleasant and even dangerous health issues, such as hemorrhoids, hernias, or intestinal blockages. So, prevention is key here. Constipation can be prevented by following certain measures, such as:
- Increasing fluid intake: It’s important to drink at least eight glasses of water per day to help prevent constipation, but steer away from alcohol.
- Eating a high-fiber diet: A diet high in fiber can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.
- Increasing physical activity: Regular exercise can help stimulate the digestive system and prevent constipation.
- Avoiding certain foods: Certain foods, such as dairy products, bananas, and white bread, can contribute to constipation. So, it’s better to steer away from them.
Constipation After Gastric Bypass
Constipation isn’t only common after gastric sleeve, but also after gastric bypass surgery. Having a hard time in the bathroom after gastric bypass occurs due to changes that happened in your digestive tract and the way it operates.
When the size of the stomach is dramatically reduced and the path of food is diverted directly to the small intestines, it becomes more difficult to consume fiber-rich foods and for your body to even absorb them properly, leading to constipation. However, just as in the case of gastric sleeve, patients can prevent and treat constipation by following different approaches.
The Bottom Line
Constipation after gastric sleeve surgery is relatively common and could add up to the gastric sleeve cost in Turkey. There could be several causes for this, such as alterations in your digestive system, inadequate fluid and fiber intake, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Thankfully, however, there are a plethora of ways to manage and avoid temporary constipation. If constipation persists for more than four weeks post-surgery, it would be wise to seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
International Clinics in Turkey provides gastric sleeve surgery to international patients along with careful diet plans to ensure optimal recovery and prevent constipation. You can contact us immediately for any inquiry using the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Helps Constipation After Gastric Sleeve?
What helps constipation after gastric sleeve is getting over-the-counter Dulcolax tablets, especially if the condition continues for more than 72 hours. Other helpful measures include staying hydrated, eating fiber-rich foods, and exercising.
How Long Does Constipation Last After Gastric Sleeve?
Constipation shouldn’t last for more than 3-7 days after gastric sleeve. However, it can persist for more than a month in some cases. If this was really the case, it’s crucial to bring it up with your physician. Long-term constipation can be a real bummer and can last for months, or even years after your surgery.
How Common Is Bowel Obstruction After Gastric Sleeve?
Thankfully, bowel obstruction is quite rare after gastric sleeve. According to studies, the problem occurs in 0.2% to 4% of cases! The majority of these cases also occur within the first 6 weeks after the procedure.
How Do You Know If You Have a Partial Bowel Obstruction?
You must start to think about a partial bowel obstruction if you start to notice symptoms such as constipation, vomiting, bloating belly, and excessive gas. However, the final word should be given to your doctor to confirm the case.
What Is the Fastest Way to Relieve Constipation After Surgery?
The fastest way to relieve constipation after surgery is by taking laxatives. Some people, however, can relieve constipation quickly by drinking more water or fluids and doing some physical activities.
What Is the Best Laxative for Constipation After Surgery?
Docusate (Colace) is one of the best laxatives. This can ease the passage of bowel movements and reduce discomfort. Fiber laxatives, like psyllium (Metamucil), are also great options to help keep things moving smoothly inside the guts.
How Long Is Too Long for Constipation After Surgery?
If your constipation lingers on for more than three days, it’s considered too long, and you must start doing something to relieve the problem. Prolonged constipation can cause quite a few problems, such as hemorrhoids and painful anal fissures.
Read more:
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Abroad: Best Destinations & Packages
Obesity Surgery Cost in Turkey
