Constipation

wondering if any body else has felt constipated. Dont know if im having to much dairy or what it is. happens about once or twice a week. anybody else taking anything to be more regular?

My doctor put me on stool softeners the first month out. He said constipation can cause serious problems if not dealt with and that softeners--unlike laxitives--do not create a dependency. (Laxitives will cause your body to reach the point where it won't work without them! Then you just have to increase the level. Very bad for long term use.) I take one a day--drug store generic brand--and haven't had any more problems. Sally

Travis As soon as I started taking iron (7 weeks post-op), I added 3 dried prunes to my oatmeal in the morning and I haven't had a problem. However, I know many people that have had RNY do suffer with constipation. I've been told that lots and lots of water and exercise help in preventing it from happening. Once it has become a problem you should probably contact your doctor's office to get their advise. I was told that milk of magnesia was safe to take for immediate relief and fiber was another long term option. I hope it gets better Tanya Lap RNY 11/17/05 327/280/150

I've been eating 3 dried plums (formerly known as prunes) for my morning snack as well as an apple for an afternoon snack.

Hi Travis I'm on iron twice daily which really causes the problem to compound. Water and exercise are great but 1t Phillips at bedtime works great. Good luck

I have to agree with the Milkof Magnesia. I had constipation so bad that I was having impacts. I am using the milk I TBS a night and I am feeling fine. The doctor said to just take it everynight and when I have a diahrea effect dont take it that night.

I had this problem the first month or so post op. I tried suppositories, Milk of Magnesia, prunes, you name it and nothing worked. Finally I got some "Smooth Moves" herbal tea. That stuff worked better than anything else. Now I try to eat or drink something with artificial sweetner in it at least once a day, the sweetners can help you "go" too. Christine

I have been constipated since surgery 8 weeks ago. I have trouble getting in enough fiber. I use milk of mag. It works the best to help have a stool. I have been adding Benefiber to a glass of iced tea the last couple of days. I hope that helps. I only have a bowelmovement about every 4 days.

Travis, at new year's I had a bad case of this. It's normal to not go everyday after the surgery--we're eating a lot less. But if you have the urge to go and can't, or if you have to strain, you've got a problem. Clear water and plenty of it, lots of exercise, bran or milk of magnesia at bedtime are all the things my doctor told me. If I have to, I'll add the prunes or whatever else. You don't want to get impacted. If you have to go to the ER, the fix is almost as bad as the problem... Hope you have a future full of smooth moves! Be well. Sandi in northern CA RNY 11/21/05 230/177/140