Constipation after roux en Y surgery for bile reflux

Posted by bborth @bborth, Aug 11, 2023

I had this surgery 3 years ago as my bile reflux was starting to erode some esophagus tissue, stomach lining. For the most part this did the trick, although I lapse into these periods where I get backed up if I eat much food that is higher in fat/sugar. As in no appetite, feel as if a softball is lodged inside, me, and of course BM's tough to have. I took Linzess recently as I am in one of those periods....had 6 BM's yesterday and my CT scan still showed extensive stool in my system. Hard to believe with what I seemed to have passed. This is causing me a lot of distress, any ideas on how to purge if Linzess is still not doing the job now as it had in the past??

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 16, 2023

@bborth, I'm sorry to hear that you continue to have complications after surgery. I'm tagging fellow members @bentrivercarla @claytamos @fourof5zs @nova1976 @asaunders12 @blueseasalt who have had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and can offer tips and experiences.

I can imagine that this is causing you a lot of distress.

nova1976 | @nova1976 | Aug 17, 2023

After the bypass, I developed “slow transit “contipation
I take Linzess 290 and one colace daily to solve the problem

bborth | @bborth | Aug 17, 2023

In reply to @nova1976 "After the bypass, I developed “slow transit “contipation I take Linzess 290 and one colace daily..." + (show)

I just met with my surgeon earlier today, and he wants me to do the colon prep purge to clean me out. I take linzess during these episodes, in fact last week I had a CT scan done in advance of this appointment, and it still showed me backed up with stool after having gone 6-7 times that day after having taken Linzess. Surgeon said that this means I have some stubborn stool that the linzess can't seem to purge. I hope this does something. If still not seeing relief, I go back to start the process of seeing if anything internally is being obstructed, like scar tissue build up.

Thanks for your reply, probably should start doing something like this to be preventative.

cheeky123 | @cheeky123 | Aug 20, 2023

I had Roux-n-Y surgery some years ago. I have bad reflux and chronic constipation. I'm so happy to find this site. I plan to follow it closely.

bborth | @bborth | Aug 20, 2023

I have periods of constipation as well post surgery almost 4 years ago. I am in the midst of one of those, and even the colonoscopy regimen didn't help me. Next step is likely some invasive imaging/testing to see why I can't get my motility back in synch. Getting concerned as I can literally only get calories liquid right now.

bborth | @bborth | Aug 20, 2023

In reply to @nova1976 "After the bypass, I developed “slow transit “contipation I take Linzess 290 and one colace daily..." + (show)

So, what tests did you have done? I tried the colonoscopy regimen this weekend and it didn't help if only for a few hours. this was after being on the toilet a dozen times doing you know what. Linzess isn't working this time as it usually has in the past. Getting concerned because I feel so packed in and am not eating much of anything right now. I have had many ERCP's as well and am thinking the nerves that assist motility may be not functioning as they should. Any insights here?