Question:
Any suggestions on how to help regulate bowel movements?

Since surgery (may"06") I can go about 3 maybe 4 days without having a bm, and I know that can't be healthy. I also read that not having a regular bm (every day, maybe 2 a-day) that it can cause weight gain, or no weight loss.    — glennk (posted on January 7, 2007)

January 7, 2007
It is my understanding that the less you take in the less you will put out to put it plainly and that if you don't go but every 3-4 days and you are not uncomfortable or gassy or bloated or straining too hard when you do go...then that would be regular for you. But if you are uncomfortable, gassy, straining or any of the rest you might need to try to get more fiber into you. There are several types of fiber out that you can put in your food and can't even taste it (I know this for a fact cause I use it) and then there is something called Smooth Move Tea, I believe, you can get that at GNC, or google it and find out where you can get it near you. This is just my own knowledge or what I have read about the problem. But again if you are not uncomfortable don't worry about it. You are putting so much less into the system.
   —  CarolynK

January 7, 2007
moving your bowels is really important, and can be difficult after surgery. I use some chewable fiber tablets (orange) that I got from Wal Mart when I have trouble. Water, water, water is the basic key, and exercise also will help move them. I bm almost every day when I exercise. I drink also a quart of water when I exercise, so it gets a lot more water in than any other way. I find that moving my bowels was very important to consistent weight loss and comfort as well. Being plugged up is very uncomfortable. Hope this helps. PatriciaP
   — Patricia P

January 7, 2007
My doctor told me that the main reason for constipation is not getting enough water. Make sure you are drinking as much water at day as your doctor told you. Mine says 64 ounces.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 8, 2007
I also had problems with having bms after surgery and my surgeon said to take a stool softener with stimulant.. I take 2 tabs in the am and 2 tabs in the pm every day and hardly ever have any problems any more.. I hope my answer helps you out...i had surgery on 6/14/06 and have lost 81 lbs..and am in a size 12..yeehaaa its the smallest and lowest weight i have had since high school...Gen DeMun
   — GEN D.

January 8, 2007
If you are not uncomfortable, don't worry about it. You may not be taking in enough to have a bm. My daughter said she used to go on Wed and Sat, now she is regular but she is two years out.
   — geneswife

January 9, 2007
you can now get chewable calcium pills with fiber. i take 2 a day, and have no problems at all
   — pattipooh59

January 11, 2007
Carol is right, bm are based on the amount that is going in. i use a fiber supplent every day and only have a bm every 2-3 days, you sound normal to me.
   — walbarwalker

January 11, 2007
I struggled with this for 11 of my 12 yrs post-op. I did more water, less water, more fiber, less fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, both fibers, no fibers, added oils/fats (since with my more radical surgery, I malabsorb about 95% of those eaten), took various laxatives short term, took all the natural products I found for this issue and STILL: nothing. It was suggested to me that I take magnesium citrate (as a pill supplement, not the "clean out" liquid one) so I did, kept increasing, but still: nothing. However, my leg/foot cramps stopped! So, I tried the el cheapo model, magnesium oxide. I already take 4 stool softeners (no stimulant) at night and Miralax (rx), so this was the final thing and VOILA! It works! Mag oxide is easy to find and cheap, cheap, cheap. So, you might toy with different amounts of it to see your results. I do two 500mg per day. I do 800mg of the mag citrate, but as I said, I didn't see any change in bowel habits with it. Really, mag cit is absorbed into the system (like calc citrate) and mag oxide resides in the gut. So it makes sense when you realize how they work.
   — vitalady