What do you do to stay regular??

Yep when I say regular I mean it that way.  I have had major issues with being able to "go" since surgery.  The only way I am able to go with any regularity is by taking laxatives but I don't know that I should be taking one each day.  I have decided to up the fiber in my diet but I don't know what kind of amts to shoot for.  What do you all do in order to avoid the day after day of not "going"? 

I add a serving a benefiber to at least one drink per day, usually two. I also take a stool softener (4 colace) throughout the day - one each time I take some vitamins. That, and getting at least 20g of fiber from food each day, usually does the trick, but sometimes a hot cup of coffee or tea is needed to get things going. If I don't drink enough, or if I eat especially low fat for a few days I will still be clogged inevitably. Also some kinds of iron bother me more than others. I did well with polysaccharide iron (which many hate for the constipation) but vitron C clogs me up and gives me gas. I am going to try tender iron from vitalady next.  Calcium can also be constipating, so make sure your calcium has magnesium added to it as well or consider adding a magnesium pill to your day. (Citracal plus is a good calcium with magnesium and vitamin D in it - I take 4 per day).

Edit - also, between your food and fiber supplements aim for 25-30g fiber per day for regularity, and if you must take a laxative, miralax is safe and no addictive and gentle. I have a bottle but I only use it if things get really bad, which they rarely do anymore.

Wow so until I get used to it maintaining regularity is a full time job.  I think I am going to ask if it is okay if I take miralax everyday because the laxative I have been taking everyday is working okay.  I found that if I don't have regular bowel movements I don't lose a bit of weight.  So the lord only knows just how clogged I am getting.  lol

I think I will start tracking my fiber intake along with my protein and calories and then add the fiber drink as well.  I have some stuff I can't remember the name but it doesn't taste like orange anything. 

Thanks for the tips!

 I fix my meds for the week and I put in a few Senekot with stool softener throughout the week.  I still struggle sometimes but for the most part, this keeps me regular.

Now I don't know anything about senekot so I am gonna look into that as well.  By taking that you don't have to shoot for a really high amt of fiber a day then right?

 It was recommended post-op by my surgeon and it is all natural so I don't feel bad about taking it.  I have to admit that I am miserable when it comes to tracking grams of this or that.  I just eat what stays down and stay away from carbs.

Fiber one cereal every morning has fixed that issue for  me unless I'm not getting in my 80 oz of liquids.  Try upping your fluid intake too.

Honestly, this is one of the worst side effects of surgery for me.  I was NEVER constipated before surgery.  I take x4 docusate a day, Benefiber, I drink 100+ oz per day.  I take MOM as needed.  It has become a part time job.  I'm thinking my body liked all the raw veggies I did before surgery (I used to eat a salad for lunch almost every day).   Because I despise fat free and low fat salad dressing, I just don't find salads appealing anymore.

Hopefully you will find your personal solution soon. 

-Dawn

I had the same problem about my 4th week out. I take the benefiber chewables, 3times a day and that has seemed to help, i'm still in stage III which means no salads or raw veggies yet, so i'm hoping once that is over I won't have to do the chewables anymore.
Good Luck!!! oh and the chewables are suger free!!!

My regular routine is a dose of Miralax plus three colace (ducosate sodium) gelcaps at bedtime.  That's also when I take my iron supplement, which has a tendency to bind things up, so this combination works well for me.  I also drink a reasonable amount of water (at least 64 oz. a day), plus I eat a couple servings of fruit and veggies.  Finally, I eat one of the Quaker oatmeal packet w/ higher fiber for breakfast most mornings.  Exercise also helps, as it helps keep things moving through your system.  In terms of fiber, most dieticians recommend 25-30 grams of fiber per day.  That can be hard to get when you are a newer post-op, but at 3+ years out, it's not a problem for me. 

Good luck finding a routine that works for you!