Constipation ruining my life

I am 3 weeks post op and have major constipation! It is ruining my life and making me not want to eat anything! Surgeon said Milk of Magnesia (didn't work) and then Ducolax (worked after 14 hours of major pain) and then massive diahrea for several hours. Is anyone else having this problem? I had it week 2 and then again this week! How can I return to work in 3 weeks if I can't fix this problem? Not to be a baby, but my gosh, am I having remorse! It seems like all I do is deal with the aftermath of this huge surgery. I also have lost only 17 pounds so far. On foods, I am on Stage 3 which for my surgeon is 1.5 oz. of protein plus 1 oz. of fruit or veg. each meal (4 per day) plus 1 protein shake w/ 8 oz. skim milk. I am pushing liquids and drink between 70-90 ounces per day (mainly water). Any help for me? Sher Lo

That doesn't sound fun at all. Do you have a nutritionist that you can sit down with? Maybe they could go over a food diary with you and help you figure out choices that will help. Can you have some watered down prune juice? I had my surgery at Barix Clinixs, and in a large binder we receive, there is this food recipe for constipation: Prune & Applesauce Mixture: 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened 2 tbsp. prune juice 1-3 tbsp. wheat bran Start with 1 tbsp. of bran and increase the amount of bran as you get used to the taste and texture. Mix all ingredients. 1 serving 106 calories 4.0 grams fiber (with 1 tbsp. of bran) 1.0 gram protein 4 mg sodium Personally, I would skip the wheat bran at this point. I hope this helps, and I hope you are feeling better soon! Take care! Stacy

Thanks, Stacy. At this point, I'll try anything! Sher Lo

hey sheri, I'm 4 weeks post op. I have no solution pre soft food stage. I tried ducolax and MOM and oh the pain. I never even got to a diahreas stage. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel. With addition of refried beans, cottage cheese, and scrambled egg i am now going every 4 days. I only have one bad dy per week. Today I added tuna, every day I add a new food and watch what happens. I have replaced my lunch protein drink with my daily food intake. i hope to replace as much powder protein with food as possible. Then i think the bowels will return to semi-normal. I talked with a girl at support group who says she still deals with it 6 months out, so no promises. Try making that protein refried beans, it seemed to help me. I hope the food helps. I still do my MOM every night and ducolax twice a day. Good luck. michel

I had the same problem at the 1.5 weeks out. go to a healthfood store and get some senna tea or tablets that you can break in half and follow the directions. It is natural and really helps. good luck!teri