Constipation is the word of the day!!!!*Warning, slightly graphic*

Can you all give me some insight to this, I have not been "regular" for a month and it is becoming increasingly difficult and uncomfortable. I am drinking my water, eating properly, taking my vitamins and excercising. But once a week I feel like I am giving birth, if you know what I mean. I know this can not be good for my colon and I am getting concerned. Did anyone see Oprah on Monday? Really made me paranoid, discussing colon cancer with people with bad BM's (pushing, hemmeroids, ect). They were saying that hard or pebbely BM's are very bad for your colon. Well that is all I have had since surgery except for one week when I had diareah(sp). Can any one help or give insight? Heidi 295/223/165

I used to have HORRIBLE constipation and I would only go once a week. I up'd my water by about 20oz but the one thing I did to make a difference was to eat oatmeal everyday for breakfast! They have a low sugar instant oatmeal. It is sooo good. (maple & brown sugar). Ever since I have been eating that, I go at least once a day or every other day. It is heavenly! Try getting more fiber in whether it be from oatmeal or a supplement type pill.

Heidi, I put 2 tablespoons of benefiber into an apple drink every morning and now I'm able to eat vegetables and both have helped a lot. Lori 384/308.5/170

Heidi, I NEVER had problems with constipation until this surgery. I typically had the opposite problem. I struggled with this problem ever since my surgery. My last surgeon visit I got the greatest recommendation. There is an herbal tea called "Smooth Move". Drink a cup before bed and the next morning I immediately get action. It doesn't cause cramping for me either. It's not typically located with the teas in the grocery store, but in the health food section by herbal supplements, etc. I've also been taking a stool softener, colace, every day to help make sure it's not too terribly painful. This has really helped me. Good luck! ~Wanda

hey wanda, Im so glad you said that, I saw the stuff your talking about just the other day at kroger and wondered about it. I too have been struggling with this problem. I have been taking colace and citracell but sometimes I still dont have good results. Its so frustrating, before surgery, I was like everyday. And now its like every 3 or 4 days. I am going to go get some tommorow. Does it taste okay? Do you add any sweetner to it , or do you just drink it straight? Thanks for the info. candy

Candy, It doesn't taste too bad at all. It's a little bit sweet, but it's pretty good. You could certainly add splenda to it if you wanted. My surgeon and the box both say you have to let it steep for at least 10 minutes to get all of the herb that you need, but I don't use a whole lot of water in the tea cup. I hope you have some success with it! Let me know... ~Wanda

I take two sugar free Fiber Choice tablets every day. Seems to help. I rarely get constipated. And sometimes if I feel like things are moving...I resort to high-test coffee at work. Maxwell House can be a good friend. Do you take iron? Iron can be constipating and there are some out there that are gentler. Good luck, Kathy

Feel better!

I think I am going to resort to Fiber supp or smooth move! The things I do should cause me to not have this problem, I drink one-two cups of Starbucks (brewed at home) I eat low sugar oatmeal everday for breakfast I am not taking Iron I drink a bit more that the required liquids. I do not know!!!!! Looks like fiber supps for me!!!!