constipation

Okay, it's official...........I'm constipated. Before WLS, I was EXTREMELY regular, like twice a day regular. Now, at 8 months post-op, I'm lucky if I go every 3-4 days and it's a REAL struggle. So...........last night at WalMart I bought the WalMart brand of FiberCon pills. Are these okay to take? Anyone else take these? I took two last night before I went to bed, and WaaLaa, this morning, everything all worked out. hee hee hee But I just wanted to make sure that it was okay that I take these. What does everyone else who experiences constipation use? Kim -150 400/250/150

Ooo. I have this same problem - so can realte! I would be a little worried about fibercon - so maybe check with your doc first. I haven't tried those because I'm worried about taking an "expanding" pill. Instead, when it's really bad, I use milk of magnesia or senna tea. Instead of fiber pills, I do also take dillute metamucil (more water than they suggest using ) - and that seems to help. I've also tried eating a high fiber cereal with milk, but that doesn't seem to help me. My problem is mostly around "that time of the month" - so that's when I have the most trouble and need to bring out the big guns. (oo, and when it's been bad, and I've felt that the problems was lower down, I've used glycerine suppositories.... gross, but helpful) The rest of the month, I just try and really keep up with water and also try and have some fruit during the day and chew that well (wet and good fiber) - but certain fruits make me painfully gassy, so it's been a matter of a lot of testing, LOL. All that said (sorry I'm rambling), I did see someone's post on the Q&A the other day and it was the most fabulous advice. The lady said she had the same problem and what helped her was to first thing in the morning, stand up and try and drink 30 oz of water and stay standing for a bit. Her take on it, was something like the water got to her colon and helped, *ehem* get things moving. I saw this late last week and have tried it 4 times now and it is a MIRACLE. I've been incorporating it into my routine and it works well. It's A LOT of water, so it's not so easy to do. Also takes a bit of time. She thought first thing in the morning was key for this to work. Hope things get better. Perhaps you may find some of these ideas helpful. BTW, contrats on the great loss! Whoo hoo! Way to go!

MINERAL OIL!!! No taste, No oder, just oil and it's inexpensive and easy to take. start with 1TBS and increase or decrease as you need it. I am doing this by my Dr.'s advice and it has helped. The fiber stuff tends to make me too gassy and I feel a little uncomfortable (full) with it. The thing to remember is that when you use laxatives to frequently your body can become somewhat addicted and requires it all the time and then you defeat the whole purpose. The Mineral Oil is natural and does not have stimulants, (not to say I haven't or won't use a laxative from time to time.) and well, it's oil so what better for loosening things up!(yes, I know, such a yucky topic, but, important.) I have been going through this from the get go, I've tried pretty much everything outside of TNT! and the standing up and drinking water sounds interesting but it takes me 5 hours to drink that much water! Good Luck