When Should I Start Taking Laxatives Before Weight Loss Surgery?

A pre-op liquid bariatric diet with laxatives helps clear out the system. This prevents the bowel contents from spilling out into the abdominal cavity during surgery (which can potentially result in serious infection).

• • You will need to start taking laxatives 2 days before the last day of your clear liquid diet before your weight loss surgery. This will help clear out the bowel.
  • This will ensure that you do not have any issues while traveling (to Mexico for weight loss surgery, for example).
  • You should also take it the night prior to your surgery so that you can go to the bathroom calmly in the morning.

Best Pre-op Bariatric Laxatives

You can try these options

• • Dulcolax Pink (considered to be quite mild)
  • Miralax
  • Milk of magnesia
  • Senokot®
  • Colace®

It is best to take your PCP into confidence and ask them to prescribe you a dosage.