? can iron cause constipation

I am new to all this .There is so much i dont know! ? does iron cause constipation? Is it ok to take a stool softner like Senakot each night if you need to? What is Smooth move tea where can i get it. is something more natureal like flax seed an option. does drinking more water help because it's hard to drink all the water i should.It's soooo! much information! hope I get the hang of it!

Yes iron can cause constipation. As for taking a stool softener or using those teas, you should check with your doctor. I've heard that those teas can be dangerous. The water might help, but it's very important to drink as much water as you can anyway. Joanne

Yes it does!!! I take 2 colace a day, pluss the benefiber powder that disolves in water. I even some days have to add another pill or 2, if I dont go every 2 days otherwise theres BIG problems My Dr said this was OK, check with yours. DRINK DRINK DRINK to! I get in 120 a day!

Nancy: Iron sure can aggravate constipations...so can too little fluid, not enough fiber, extra calcium, a high protein diet etc! Welcome to the challenges of WLS! Exercise, fluid, fiber (veggies etc) can help... Diferent forms of iron can cause more or less consitpation. Ferrous sulfate is the main culprite stay away from that it is also a pouch burner and is not the best form for absorbtion! Try tender iron from www.vitalady.com or ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate or carbonyl iron or polysacharide forms...gentler on tummy! Many take stool softners (colace is brand name but generic docusate sodiumis fine I get mine at walmart!) I take 2 a day....daily! I also use ground flax seed 1 T 3x dy (start with no more than 1T at a time and ease up)...Iput it in shakes or on salad or in yogurt...I use MOM occasionally and have even had severe constiption needing Miralax a rx laxative.... For ME fiber such as benefiber just causes concrete butt, I do not need bulk, I need softness and movement~~~ So keep sipping tha****er and talk to your surgeon on the best choices in iron and laxatives... Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45 before Surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"