Maybe TMI but - Potty questions??

I take magnesium in form a a capsule.  That way I can skip any flavoring and or taste, and or "bubles" 
The calcium can not be utilized by the body  without magnesium, vit D, and other micro nutrients (including but not limited to boron, etc). 
If magnesium is present in excess in the body - diarrhea is a side effect.  So when supplementing with magnesium - limit  the dosage is/ when loose stools (runny) appear.  That an easy signal for over supplementation. 

Currently I take 800-1200 mg of elemental magnesium (provided from Citrate, or mix chemicals) and at that level nor have I "loose stools" (though sometimes I welcome them after I knew I was constipated) but sometimes I still have a day or so that i did not have BM (that is why the next day I do increase to 1200) 
But everybody is different.
i started with capsules with 200 mg, then every day I increased by 200 mg, when I started to have loose stools every day (and a few times a day) for 2-3 days - i decreased the dosage by 200, etc.  That is how I know that 800-1200 is my level.  Preop RNY I used to take only 400 mg and it was fine.  Since RNY and with the increase of calcium and iron - i had to increase the dosage.

Miralax or other form of stool softeners - I consider them toxic 9FYI: miralax is  your typical antifreeze - similar chemicals )

That is really interesting.  I have taken MOM a couple times since surgery and it does not work anymore!  eek!  I bet my mag level is low.  thanks, Daisy

To get back to Alesia1966's original question....

I am not a long-timer, (RNY 3/3/09), but I noticed a change in my bowel frequency as well. Prior to surgery I was very regular (1/day), after surgery...not so much. I'd go 2-3 days without a BM and then have 3-4 BMs in 36 hours. I didn't have much discomfort, but not pleasant.

I had read that supplementing with calcium carbonate (which is what I started taking post surgery, per doctor's orders) can cause constipation, so I conducted a trial. I stopped taking the calcium carbonate (Viactiv) for a couple weeks. My bowels have returned to my pre-surgery normal which was about 1x per day. I haven't, as yet, resumed calcium supplements, but will soon with calcium citrate instead.

I prefer not to take laxatives; I want to be cautious about becoming dependent. And, I've used my surgery as a starting point for eating more healthily (fewer processed foods and more organic foods) and reducing the chemicals (and drugs) that I take in.

So to promote regular elimation I've included more fruit and fiber in my diet - including summer fruits and berries. I  recently discovered All Bran's new fiber cookies - similar to Pepperidge Farm's Pirouline cookies. They give 10 gms fiber, 130 cals. for 3 cookies. Great with coffee! They're availabe in chocolate and strawberry flavors and you can find them in the fiber supplement section of your local store.

I'd love to hear other folks thoughts and experiences with calcium and constipation.

Alesia1966, I hope this helps.

Thanks Wannabe,

I don't actually take any calcuim supp's right now, post surgery for the 1st to years I took the citrate form ( my doc says carbonate does not absorb right in RNYers ) but my calcium #'s have been fine all along, so I don't think the frequency issue is due to calcium...Also add benefiber (x2) to my protein drink just about every day, although fiber in a food format is definately lacking, don't eat much fruit for the sugar content and still focus on protein 1st so don't eat a ton of veggies either...OK, looks like I can figure out what the stop-up is, but not sure how I'm going to proceed with correcting it...

Thanks again, and good luck on your continuing journey...Alesia

Thanks Wannabe,

I don't actually take any calcuim supp's right now, post surgery for the 1st to years I took the citrate form ( my doc says carbonate does not absorb right in RNYers ) but my calcium #'s have been fine all along, so I don't think the frequency issue is due to calcium...Also add benefiber (x2) to my protein drink just about every day, although fiber in a food format is definately lacking, don't eat much fruit for the sugar content and still focus on protein 1st so don't eat a ton of veggies either...OK, looks like I can figure out what the stop-up is, but not sure how I'm going to proceed with correcting it...

Thanks again, and good luck on your continuing journey...Alesia

I'm with Hala on this one...magnesium is what keeps mine smooth running...The first year I was so constipated and miserable.  I learned I was magnesium deficient and once I began taking about 800 mg of magnesium citrate with my calcium it's been smooth moves ever since!  WHo knew???  I use capsules as well...not theliquid  lemony magnesium citrate in glass bottles!  Those are like draino for the human pipes!  OMG!  There is about 3000mg of magnesium in a bottle!  400-800 is probably enough to get you moving regularly!  But work up to it gradually so you know what amt works!  It helps you absorb your calcium better as well!  I knew I was very mag def from the symptoms...leg cramps being the most noticeable symptom...There are many others but they are mild for the most part... I take it now all the time, deficient or not! 

Anita