Constipation ... PLEASE HELP

Hello wonderful people –

Is there anyone out there that can help me with any tips on how to get rid of these constant constipation issues? I can’t keep popping laxatives weekly and drinking herbal tea and lemon daily as I don’t go but once and this has been for the last three weeks (since I started on my meds), I have suffered from constipation every week and it is MISERABLE. I am less than 2 months post op VSG and this has been the worse. Would love any suggestions, PLEASE. Thank you in advance. 

I suffered a great deal after surgery which was not a surprise because I had issues before surgery.  Over the past 16 months I tried everything and found that laxatives are a complete no no for me.  You don't think there could be anything worse than constipation until you experience what it's like to pass solid rocks with the force of niagra falls (sorry for that visual but it's the truth).  

This will sound too simple and maybe it doesn't work for everyone, but about 7 months ago I started taking fiber gummies.  I take two of them twice daily. I have not had a single problem ever since.  I am not exaggerating.  I do not go every single day but when I do it's smooth sailing!  Seriously, I had constipation issues for YEARS and I am almost pissed that it is this simple.  But I sure am happy now.

Something else that worked well was Metamucil fiber wafers.  They taste pretty good and did the trick.  They get stuck in your teeth for an hour and that got tedious but otherwise I was happy with how they worked.

Which fiber gummies do you take?  I'm interested since I have to up my iron - which is a sure sign I'm in constipation trouble again soon... :(

I take the sugar free version of Fiber Well by Vitafusion.  It is the one they carry everywhere, Target, Albertsons, Walmart.

Also, I recommend Perfect Iron by Sundown Naturals.  You may have to go to Amazon to find it.  It is elemental iron so more easily absorbed and there are little to no GI side effects or constipation in most people.

I had constipation issues before surgery that resulted in extremely painful fissures so i was terrified that after surgery i would be even worse. So as soon as i was able to start drinking water after surgery i started putting Miralax in my first bottle of water every morning and i havent had any problems. I go every morning. Its not a laxative its a stool softener and i only take half a dose. 

Miralax works wonderful.  Its approved by my Dr and its tasteless, I just put it in my water.  The directions on the bottle are once daily.

I am close to six months out from surgery and have been dealing with constipation. Initially I was going once every eight days. no discomfort but when I went it was not good. A few weeks ago my dr put me on Amatiza and colace. This has made a big difference as I am going more frequently and not having issues when I go. Currently I am up to once every three to four days. I would also recommend to ensure you are getting your water in as this is also a cause for constipation. Hope you get through this. 

Both my surgeon and GI doc recommended Miralax. It's non-habit forming and will be better for long term use than stimulant laxatives. Also, make sure that you're drinking 64+ ounces of water.

add a serving of Fiber1 crunchy original cereal to your yogurt EVERY day.  If you allow yourself a little sugar, you can use All Bran Buds instead (It stays crunchier in the yogurt).  You can also add 2 tbl of flaxmeal to your shakes.  I do both of these each and every day ... in combination with probiotic yogurt, keifer, supplements ... you wont have any problems.

All great suggestions.  I will throw one more thing in--I heard that calcium can cause constipation, so I eased up on that when I experienced it at around 2 months out like you and it seemed to do the trick.