Can Laxatives make you lose weight?

Question

The doctor recently perscribed me some laxatives to help me go to the toilet because I can't strain because I recently had heart surgery. My boyfriend and doctor says they can make you lose weight. Is this true?

Answer 1

they can but it's not reccomended that you use them just to make you lose weight, they can have a serious affect on your digestive system if you use them wrongly.

Answer 2

No no no and no!! It can lead to addiction since once you come off you will start to feel too full and uncomfy and then you'll want to take more laxatives to relieve the feeling since you're body will be so out the way of performing naturally. Also, you'll lose out on masses of all the goodness of the food since your body will not have enough time to process the food before it gets rejected unnaturally from your body so this can lead to other problems of under nourishment etc which could have long term effects for you. If you are trying to lose the baby weight (aren't we all and I'm 2 years down the line!) then healthy eating and exercise is your only option. Slowly but surely wins the day - if the weight comes off sensibly then it will stay off. Fast fixes will only mean the weight quickly going back on once you stop and are still eating the same amounts as you were with the laxatives, which is where a lot of addictions come in - so please get yourself a healthy eating plan. Why not persuade your friend to join with you then the sensible way will be easier with a friend along side. I have just started a GI diet and lost 4 pound in a fortnight (2lb a week is the recommended loss) and it's filling and healthy and has loads of variety. Please follow a structured, calculated diet.

Answer 3

Firstly i think any doctor that prescibes you laxatives and then informs you that they help with weight loss, after youve had heart surgery is bang out of order.

Yes theyve made me lose weight, after prolonged/addictive use. But i would put all the weight back on if it meant i didnt have the side effects i do now.

They will make you dehydrated and cause electrolyte imbalances, therefore effecting your heart. Youll get to a point where your taking more and more as your tolerance levels increase, eventually making yourself constipated or even have the runs all the time, sometimes resulting in you sh*tting in your pants, the stomach cramps will become unbearable.

Really if your considering this path to loose weight its really not worth it.

Wait until your heart is sufficiently strong enough and start light to moderate exercise, your doctor will advise you when the time is right to start an exercise regime. There are certain foods that have a natural laxative effect, maybe you could look into these.

Answer 4

Ok...first point I'm not a medical doctor. However, on reading your posting I got flashing neon "NOT A GOOD IDEA" sign...so here's my answer:

I suspect that constant use of laxatives would reduce the residence time of food in your stomach and intestines and that this might result in weight loss. HOWEVER, using laxatives to achieve this end will mean that your digestive tract will not be extracting the full range of vitamins and minerals from the food you eat. You risk becoming seriously ill if you do this over a protracted period of time. The best way to lose weight is to eat sensibly and do a little more exercise. I strongly suggest discussing this with your doctor on your next visit.
keep well!

Answer 5

No, it is not true. The only "weight" a laxative can cause you to lose is whatever your stool ("poop") weighs.

If you recently had heart surgery, you do not need to be considering losing weight.

Your body needs an appropriate amount of calories and nutrients to heal itself.

Rather than a laxative, which can deplete your body of minerals and electrolytes (not good for your body in general or for your heart), ask about Miralax--there are generics and over-the-counter items that are the same compound. It is designed to make your stool soft, formed and very easy to release.

And there is not the risk of diarrhea or depletion of minerals or electrolytes.

Answer 6

yes. they way they work is by tricking your body into thinking you hve been poisoned. Thus your body tries to expel as quickly as possible everything in your stomach to get rid of the possible threat. This means that food stays for less time in your system, and less of the nutrients and fat is taken out.
So you may lose weight that way, also you will lose a lot of liquid weight, and may be really thirsty. Long term use of laxatives can lead to kidney problems, as well as malnutrition as you are not getting the most of out of the food you eat.

Answer 7

Yes they can because they dehydrate you however you really need to abuse them purposefully to lose weight so just drink a bit more water

add
I think you people are reading too much into this I haven't seen anything to indicate that the doctor was encouraging them as a method of weight loss nor the intention of the asker to use them for such a purpose

Answer 8

Some people abuse laxatives by regularly taking overdoses in an effort to lose weight.

Symptoms:
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, are most common. Dehydration and electrolyte problems are more common in children than adults.

Answer 9

yes but at a price to your health. the laxatives will make yr intestines work quickly meaning that food will pass through without essential nutrients being absorbed which will make u ill and tired. far better to have a healthy well balanced diet and do exercise that is recommended in view of your recent surgery.

Answer 10

To successfully lose weight, you must carry out
a plan to balance your caloric intake with exercise.
Ideally, dieting should be done by eating a nutritionally
balanced, low-calorie diet and increasing physical activity.
I found useful informations at

Answer 11

I am sure they can but it is a realy bad idea and not too healthy

I wouldint recomend any form of weightloss that is unhealthy to your body.

But if you realy wanna do somthing like that redbull worked for me

A couple of tins a day takes away your appetite and it has you buzzing so you are very active.

Then a main meal but i dont belive it is that healthy either