Metamucil Vs. Miralax or anything else?

I'm going to have one of those TMI posts. I have been taking miralax daily for a while now, sometimes doses inbetween. When I go, I don't go very much and its small stools, and sometimes its just liquid stools. I have been in the ER once for a bowel impaction, and vow to never have to go through that again. & if I go several days without miralax, i'm not able to go and fear that hard impaction.

I spoke to my surgeon and he said that miralax every day is too rough for my system and very harsh and does not recommend that. However, I have heard contradicting reviews on this forum, that many doctors say to take miralax because its not harsh & non habit forming.

He suggested I take metamucil, my problem is, I don't want to bulk my stool, because I don't want hard stool! So i'm terrified of following his advice on this. Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Anyone else have any other suggestions or anything to add? Id be forever greatful!

I use milk of magnisa it is the only thing that helps , drinking coffee helps me prevent constipation

 I don't know when you got your sleeve , if recently call your surgeon again for an ok

You want a stool softener without a laxative.  Fiber firms stool up for some, but loosens it for most, which is why he recommended metamucil.  I, too, recommend milk of magnesia.  If you're new post-op and still on pain meds, they may be causing the constipation.  Also drink more fluids.

I too take Miralax and a softner at times.  My doctor said fiber was not good for a VSG'er, can stretch tummy.  I had also experience an impaction and I never want that again.  Milk of Magnesium worked good, but I didn't like the way it may my stomach feel.  I am only 7 months in but I promise I'll do what I have to, to stay regular. 

When I talked with my surgeon about the same issue early out, he recommended prune juice. It worked like a charm (better than Miralax or milk of magnesia)! However, he cautioned that the carb content is so high in prune juice that it's not the best for regularity early out. I took it for two days and got things more than moving. He also put me on OTC colace (Dulcolax) daily and prescribed Miralax as needed. (It works really fast for me.) I took Miralax with surgeon's permission for about 18 months. I no longer need it, but I do take a stool softener each day.

BTW - my surgeon was not a big supporter of Metamucil. Too many of his patients reported that it added to the problem rather than helping it. It bulks me up, too and made my constipation much, much worse (grunting and groaning with tears running down my cheeks while trying to pass the Rock of Gibraltar type of pain worse!).

Personally, I swear by lots of water,  adose of Dulcolax each day and Miralax when needed. Of course, check with your surgeon or PCP.

You should not use a psyllium fiber laxative. It expands internally and puts too much pressure on suture lines whether they are healed or not. 

Psyllium fiber is what Metamucil is 

This is why God invented magnesium citrate!

PRUNES! Two every evening. Only 40 calories total. They do the job.

psychoticparrot

My Gi doc told me to use miralax instead of m of m because it is easier on the gut, Also said colace was good to use if the miralax didn't move things along. I take 1/2 cap of miralax almost every day because I take pain medication daily and that plugs me up.