Constipation?

Ok, I hate to have to broach this TMI subject, but I must. Have any of you had to deal with this post-op yet? It has just happened to me since I started solids, about a week ago. I am going on several days now without a BM and I am uncomfortable. I have started taking flaxseed and benefiber to up my fiber intake, but I think that I added it after the problem. Does anyone know, or have taken, a laxative for immediate relief? I am concerned about taking a pill, cause I dont want it to get stuck. If I could get this taken care of I will keep up on the flax/benefiber to prevent it again. I get in plenty of water, about 96oz a day so I think the problem up til this point was lack of fiber. Thanks Everyone!

OUCH!! Yes, I've experienced it and it is horrible. I just saw my NUT on Friday and she said to keep up with fluids (but your doing very well with yours so probably not an issue) and if the problem gets really bad to take a stool softner. I personally tried watered down apple juice and after a few glasses it subsided and I was able to go. She said next time try prune juice..ICK haven't tried it but can imagine. The juice does have ALOT of sugar but I watered it down and just kept drinking. It got the point where I would have tried Anything to get relief! Let me know if you find anything that works better than the juice. This seems to be a frequent problem with me as I do not get in all the water I should be. Jamie

Oh my gosh yes! I've been drinking plenty of water, but was so focused on eating plenty of protein that fiber got left out of the mix. At one point, just to get relief, I used a dulcolax suppository. Had to do something. I've since increased my fiber intake, and I don't have such a problem. If I have days that my fiber isn't where it should be, I suffer the next.

Unfortunately, this became a problem for me when I began solids. After a couple of very painful episodes, I took a dulcolax suppository. It offered relief but the problem came back. I started taking chewable benefiber tablets but that did not help prevent the constipation from coming back. I talked to my nut and surgeon about this during my appt. this week. After making sure I was getting enough liquids, she recommended prune or apple juice and if I wanted to take fiber to take the liquid benefiber instead of the chewables. They also recommend taking Milk of Magnesia up to three times a day to relieve constipation. The also said I could take Colace which I believe is a stool softener. I expressed concerns about becoming dependent on laxatives and was reassured that that would not be a problem. I took the MOM Monday night and have been fine all week so far.

Hi, I don't seem to have that problem and I have been on solids since 11 days post op. I do eat fruit, like watermelon and canelope. This is refreshing and it adds to my water intake. I am still not getting enough water or protein in. Good luck, I hope this helps. Brenda

I eat oatmeal every morning. I always mix flaxseed into my protein shake ( yes, I only drink one per day) and I have been fine. I did have the problem at first, I drank about 4 oz of prune juice and the next morning I was fine. I prefer not to take stool softeners or MOM unless I have no other choice. There are many natural remedys for this problem that I prefer.

I have had a problem with this from the very beginning. So much so that at my 2 week evaluation I talked to my doctor's NP about it. She told me that constipation is my "friend" since we are on such a protein geared diet and that to help the process to take up to 2 colace a day. She told me that I might have to take them for ever. She also said that I could use a laxative like MOM or an enema, but to severly limit those. I have had to use the enemas because I cannot drink MOM without gagging. I don't know how you can get in so much water. I am only able to get about 36 oz not including the fluids from the protein shakes etc...

I was having this problem too, but since I've stepped up my exercise I am no longer having an issue. Darla