What to know about constipation after gastric sleeve surgery

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Gastric sleeve surgery removes about 80% of the stomach, which changes the anatomy of the gastrointestinal system.

Constipation is common after this type of weight loss surgery. With the postoperative diet restrictions, it can be more difficult to drink enough water and consume enough fiber to regulate bowel movements.

Some medications can also cause constipation and bowel dysregulation. A person may also be less active than usual, which also plays a role in constipation after gastric sleeve surgery.

Learn more about constipation.

The frequency of bowel movements is different for every person, but medical professionals typically consider fewer than 3 bowel movements per week to be constipation.

If a person experiences fewer bowel movements than usual, they may be experiencing constipation.

Symptoms of constipation can include:

• infrequent or irregular bowel movements
• hard or lumpy stool
• feeling like the bowels have not completely emptied
• difficulty passing stool
• straining to pass stool
• pain when passing stool

It is important to contact a doctor if a person experiences any new symptoms or changes in bowel habits. The doctor will be able to order tests to rule out other possible causes.

Learn about the symptoms of different types of constipation.

After gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to contact a doctor for advice before beginning treatment for constipation. They can advise on which treatments are the safest for the individual.

A person may be able to take various steps to treat constipation or reduce the risk of it occurring after gastric sleeve surgery. These include:

• drinking small amounts of water frequently to ensure they get enough hydration
• slowly sipping prune juice, which is a good source of fiber
• taking over-the-counter (OTC) fiber supplements, stool softeners, or laxatives

Getting enough physical activity can also help to alleviate constipation. However, it is important to consult a doctor to find out when a person can begin exercising after gastric sleeve surgery and what kind of physical activity is best.

Learn more about home remedies for constipation.

How long constipation lasts after gastric sleeve surgery can vary.

A 2019 study of the changes in bowel habits after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy found that around 11% of people had one bowel movement or less per week 6 months after the procedure. This compares to 5.6% of people before the procedure. Around 29% of people had 2–3 bowel movements per week, compared to around 24% of people before the procedure.

This suggests that some people may experience symptoms of constipation for a number of months after the surgery. However, the study points out that the difference between the number of people experiencing constipation before and after gastric sleeve surgery is not statistically significant.

Once the body adjusts to diet modifications and smaller stomach pouch, symptoms of constipation should improve over time.

It is best for a person to contact their doctor for advice if they experience long-term constipation.

Prevention is key when it comes to managing post-gastric-sleeve constipation. Steps a person can take to reduce their risk include:

• Drinking enough water: After gastric sleeve surgery, a person may find it more beneficial to take more frequent sips of water throughout the day rather than drinking large volumes at one time.
• Getting enough fiber: Prune juice is a good source of fiber. A doctor may recommend prune juice as early as the first stage after gastric sleeve surgery.
• Getting enough physical activity: Reduced physical activity can contribute to constipation. Gentle exercise such as walking can help. It is important to gradually increase the amount of exercise or physical activity a person does after gastric sleeve surgery to reduce the risk of complications.

A person can also contact their doctor for more advice on reducing the risk of constipation after gastric sleeve surgery.

Here are some frequently asked questions about constipation after gastric sleeve surgery.

How do you get rid of constipation after gastric sleeve?

Drinking enough water throughout the day can help to keep a person hydrated and reduce constipation. A doctor may also recommend prune juice, as it is high in fiber and may be suitable for a person to consume soon after gastric sleeve surgery. Physical activity and OTC laxatives may also help to relieve symptoms of constipation.

Why is it so hard to poop after a gastric sleeve?

After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, some people may have difficulty with bowel movements or constipation. This can happen due to changes in the anatomy of the stomach and how the gut microbiome interacts with food.

Changes in diet, reduced physical activity, and decreased water intake may also cause constipation after gastric sleeve surgery.

Constipation after gastric sleeve surgery is common. It happens for many reasons, including diet changes, decreased liquid consumption, and changes in how the stomach digests food.

There are various ways to treat and reduce the risk of constipation after gastric sleeve surgery. These include drinking enough water, getting enough gentle physical activity, and getting enough dietary fiber, such as from prune juice. A doctor may also recommend laxatives.

Constipation after gastric sleeve surgery may last for a number of months. It is best to contact a doctor for advice if constipation does not respond to home remedies or OTC medications.