Strange weight loss side effect

[Breadcat24]

Hi all
Not sure if this is a great way to lose weight but it is certainly working for me!
I recently had major joint surgery and they recommend you take the codeine based pain medication regularly so that you can mobilize. However codeine makes you constipated so they suggest you take laxatives.
I did not fancy doing this so have been taking a very small (less than 100ml) glass of prune juice every day or every other day which I thought more natural.
I did this for my digestion but my goodness does this stuff mobilize your bowels. It should come with a warning!
Anyway in 8 weeks I have lost 11 lbs.
Apparently it is the sorbitol in the fruit.
So this is good in that it places less strain on my joint.
Warning though- if you have a lot it is a bit like just coming back from a holiday in Egypt.

Oooh I may try this. I've been buying Lactalose as this has a TMI "softening" effect, but I don't like taking medication so try not to use it. This sounds like a good alternative.

Yeah watch how much lactulose you take. It isnt gentle. I took a double dose once and I spent 2 days on the loo.

Also be careful with my prune juice recommendation. If you take a larger glass 200ml- do not plan to do much during the day

I'll be taking a small glass to start off with, not sure of the taste and thanks for the warning

I take 15ml at the moment. Consultant recommended 5ml but I haven't found that to be effective TMI

@Purplebunnie for goodness sake do not take lactulose at the same time you will never get out of the house

😂😂😂Ha ha ha sorry if I gave that impression. I will stop the lactulose once the prune juice arrives on the shop. I'll give it 24 hours maybe a bit more for the lactulose to get out of my system before I try the prune juice

Totally beside the point but I love prune juice 😂

I love prunes. I know many people don't but I think they are very tasty!

I want to like it but the colour is so off putting!

This gives me a funny memory. When DD was 2 she went through poo withholding and constipation. I gave her some prune juice. She loved it and kept asking for it. Unfortunately one night it was too much and she was sick all in her bed DH went in and freaked at all the red everywhere. I might try this though but strictly 200ml

I'm not sure I've ever eaten prunes What does prune juice taste like Is it more savoury or sweet is there anything you could liken it too?

I am a long term pain patient who uses codeine daily. Prune juice does absolutely nothing for me! I have drank a litre and not a single movement?
I use senna now as I think my body got used to the docusate I am prescribed.

I guess that's good as I'm not trying to lose weight. But I think it really depends on the person if it works that effectively or not!

@BillieWiper sorry about your pain. I hope you get something to ease it without bad effects.
Regarding the prune juice I guess it depends on the individuals gut
But I guess that they put "cleanse" on this packet for a reason!

I might try it. I love the taste. Thank you for your kind words! 💓 X

It tastes of prunes, and prunes are dried plums.

It tastes very sweet & a bit malty to me. I love the prune activia yoghurts too. I’m not sure either has a dramatic effect on my bowels though. Dulcolax liquid is my weapon of choice.

Using laxatives, natural or otherwise, to lose weight, is nothing new and it isn't healthy. Ballet dancers are notorious for it and it's a recognised eating disorder.

Laxative Misuse - National Eating Disorders Association https://share.google/zCtzblEujEKGhnsNO

A warrior's drink!

(As said by Mr Worf in Ten Forward, Star Trek Next Generation)

Prune juice does nothing for me. Dulcolax one tablet gives me diarrhoea after a normal BM. Half a dulcolax doesn’t do much at all but does work a little. I might have to try 3/4 of a tablet. Menopause has messed up my digestive system.

I’m really not sure about a thread promoting laxatives as weight loss treatments tbh.

Hard agree.

I felt quite ill yesterday and eventually realised that eating a whole tin of prunes was unwise.

Know a lot of ballet dancers, do you? Because I do, so I can tell you that your assertion is not true.

As the mother of a ballet dancer this is just not true.

I will be trying the prune juice as I want something more natural than lactulose, which I am not using to lose weight, but as prescribed by a consultant in Gastroenterology.