constipation, HELP

Hi everybody I'am new at this site, I had bypass on Dec.7. Has anybody else had a real problem with having bowel movements???? I live on stool softners is this normal????

try drinking lots more water- it acts as a natural lubricant for your bowels, and makes it more comfortable to pass. the problem with stool softeners is they can be addictive- what I mean is after awhile your body gets dependant on them and its painful to go without them... they are also chemicals so they may cause harm if you use them too much or for too long.... Are you able to eat small pieces of fresh fruit yet? I cut up oranges and citrus fruits into bitesize pieces and eat one or two at a time- I keep them in a baggie in the fridge.... Or try adding more fibre to your diet to loosen things up... Also nuts and seeds are good for getting things going... good luck. -kathy

Hi, I know how you feel. i had surgery dec 6th so we are at the same level. yes i have severe constipation problems and i drink lots of water but found that if i eat a few almonds i can usually go within a day or two. also i've heard to try oatmeal, and peanutbutter, might want to try those. oh, also a bran cereal. good luck.

I have problems too... I only go like once or twice a week!

I had problems before surgery and they have continued. This topic came up at my support group a couple of months ago. I wasn't taking very much of the stool softener at that point and it wasn't working. When I heard how much others were taking, I knew I could take more and be OK. I take 4 -100 mg doccusate sodium gelcaps in the morning and 4 at night. That keeps things moving well, no loose stools. I had to experiment with the dose. Any less than this and I have to take 5 mg bisacodyl once or twice per week. I've not added in Benefiber, athough it is sitting there calling my name. When it warms up enough to eat salads, I will add some flax seeds or flaxmeal to the salad. Sue O.

Stool softners don't work for me. I use fiber. I take Benifiber everyday and don't have problems anymore. Liz

wow. this is weird- since my surgery I have had no constipation- I 'go' regularly.. like evey other day. i drink alot of orange juice (tropicana ~ no pulp) -about a cup or two daily... plus I also eat fresh fruit like apple and orange and other citrus. what about prunes- they might help. I know there are some yogurts (Activia) that have them now, so they might not taste so bad...

Hi Charmaine, I feel what you're going through. Everytime I have to go, I'm in a state of fear, from the pain and agony I asked my surgeon, ob/gyn dr. and pharmacist and finally my PCP and a nurse recommended Colace, it's expensive, but it has given me relief over the last 1-1/2 weeks. My surgeon recommended fiber con and metamucial, but the fiber bulks up what were already having difficulty passing. My PCP also recommended sprinkling bran over my food. After reading on colace, it recommends slowly decrease the dosage after time. Make sure to check with your doctor!

Hi Charmaine, I have had constipation problems before and since this surgery. My dietician has me eating beans . . . . any kind of beans. In the beginning she also had me drinking Gerber Prune Juice. It sound horrible but it actually tastes good. Also warm beef or chicken broth, 16 oz, in the morning is also helping me. Also I take the prescription Zelnorm twice a day. It is very expensive, it costs me around $150 a month, but to have regular, pain free bowel movements it is worth it. My constipation is made worse because of pain meds that I'm still on for my back. My back pain has improved some so at least now I'm on a lower dose once a day instead of twice a day. Hope this helps, Mary Salmon

I take 2 flax seed oil capsules each PM. It has kept me regular and has helped me get in my essential fatty acids. -Angie 302/246/150