WHAT AM I TO DO???

I had my surgery 2-17-04 and I'm doing better than I ever expected. My main thing is that I stay constipated. What am I doing wrong? I'm doing my best to get in as much fluids as I can. I am on foods now. I can sometimes tolerate chicken. Tuna is not as tolerable. Fish and shrimp is fine too. I have had several baked potatoes and done the mashed potatoes. I've tried the Lean Cruisine Meals, but they all seem to be so spicy. The spicy taste tends to burn my stomach. I haven't really been having the "dumping syndrome" but what should I do. I just started doing a little exercise in front of the tv. Help Any suggestions out there? Can't tolerate apple juice . Eating is getting really boring!

Check with your surgeon about what he recommends for the constipation. My doctor recommended using Colace Stool softener (do not buy the laxative one). I have also used Benefiber the one day I was having a little problem. It was great. Mixed in water, no grit, no taste. You could put it in a protein shake without a problem. Some people at our support group use it daily to keep them regular. Just don't use Metamucil as it can block up the stomach. I'm allowed diluted grape juice. But since you are doing food now, you might try adding in veggies or fruit. That would increase your fiber intake. Walking will also help if you are able to do that. Fluids up and above your protein drink are extremely important and will aid in preventing the constipation too. Hope you feel better soon. Mary

Hi Evelyn: I had my surgery on 2/16, and am having the same problem. I went to my doctor last Tuesday 3/16, because of the pains associated with the constipation and he had me do a bowel cleansing with phospho-soda, and then I started the Benefiber on Thursday, but to this day, nothing since Thursday morning!! I have heard from others that Benefiber worked for them, and you can't taste it at all.

Our surgeon recommends either adding flax seed meal to yogurt or taking flax seed oil/flax seed oil capsules... From those who have tried it, it helps stuff slip right out (and is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 (which helps your HDL)). But again, as others have mentioned - the best bet is to call your surgeon's office tomorrow morning and see what he/she allows or recommends - different surgeons use different things. Ours tends to be more flexible, but leans towards the natural/gentle approach rather than the "everyone out!" approach of something like phospho-soda (I had that for my colonoscopy... rough on the system!!! ). ...Nick

I was having that problem My Dr. told me to take good old milk of magnesia. They make it sugar free(philips). My Dr. also told me to ecercise more. At least 1 20 minute walk a day. Good luck!