Question:
need help

having problems moving my bowels 2 months out and have been constipated ever since surgery off and on . been doing fleets but i know i cant continue this. is there any help out there for me? please.    — karen43 (posted on June 17, 2007)

June 17, 2007
It is an ongoing learning experience,I am coming to realize. I,too am 3 months out. Congratulations! I have been trying different things & my solution has been a heaping tablespoon of ground flaxseed in my morning protein drink. It has a nutty flavor,and it takes awhile to spoon up all the little bits from the bottom of the glass. It makes me feel good to eat it,too....it is such a healthy food item.And I add 2 stool softener/laxative tabs during the day. And I addFiber Sure to different types of foods. I make sure I get 80 oz fluid,minimum. And I try to get some kind of exercise every day. I have been having a BM every day lately...Praise God!
   — peacelovecat

June 17, 2007
you can also try Gerber baby prunes- now that I am 14 mos out I use dried prunes- 2-3 every week or lots of fresh fruit/veggies and of course water- antoher hint is a cup of warm water with 1 tablespoon lemon juice each morning. I add the lemon juice to my herbal hot tea each morning as well. Good luck. Donna 286/135
   — dabby

June 17, 2007
I am almost 4 weeks out and I use Benifiber. Works great and has no taste.
   — Alvernlaw

June 17, 2007
I'm 9 months out and have been constipated since I had my surgery. I used Fleets every 4-5 days for a while, tried Miralax, Benefiber, etc...nothing. Finally my surgeon had me see a Gastroenterologist and I was put on a prescription medicine called Amitiza. It's for chronic constipation. It's non-habit forming unlike enemas and laxatives. Maybe you should ask your surgeon about it. Good luck! -Karen
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 17, 2007
I'm 9 months out and have been constipated since I had my surgery. I used Fleets every 4-5 days for a while, tried Miralax, Benefiber, etc...nothing. Finally my surgeon had me see a Gastroenterologist and I was put on a prescription medicine called Amitiza. It's for chronic constipation. It's non-habit forming unlike enemas and laxatives. Maybe you should ask your surgeon about it. Good luck! -Karen
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 17, 2007
I'm 9 months out and have been constipated since I had my surgery. I used Fleets every 4-5 days for a while, tried Miralax, Benefiber, etc...nothing. Finally my surgeon had me see a Gastroenterologist and I was put on a prescription medicine called Amitiza. It's for chronic constipation. It's non-habit forming unlike enemas and laxatives. Maybe you should ask your surgeon about it. Good luck! -Karen
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 18, 2007
Hi Karen, yes, yes, yes there are options to fleet enemas. Please stop doing them! I have used them, but only on rare occasion, and once once and then move forward. Constipation is not that uncommon for us. There are a few things you can do. First, if you are not drinking 64 oz of water a day, this is the first big thing that you can do that doesn't involve medication. Water really works, and water in conjunction with exercise works better. I would walk on my treadmill for a few miles, and drink a quart of water, and having a bowl movement before I was done walking. It really worked for me. Now, if none of that works, my gyn doctor perscribed a product that is now over the counter. It is called Miralax. It is a crystle/powder type product, completely tasteless, and you add it to a drink. I used juice. It is NON habitforming, so you can take it daily, but I really recommend a half dose, not a full dose, at least to start. A full dose caused me a lot of gas/stomach discomfort, so I take a half dose, but it works gently, and wonderfully. You should be able to find it over the counter, or if it is cheaper, perhaps your doctor will perscribe it for you. It is cheap and been around for years. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

June 18, 2007
Hi! I am 6 months out and have had the same problem. I find drinking all my water, adding fibersure to anything and everything I can, eating veggies and sometimes colace. It is a learning experience to find what works for you. Good luck! Talk to your doctor and keep trying till you find what works for you!
   — robinmarra

June 18, 2007
Make sure you're getting all your liquids & more if possible. Other than that, try Colace Stool Softener or the generic counterpart. Good Luck!
   — byHizgrc

June 18, 2007
Contact your Surgeon Immeadiately!!
   — Michael Eak

June 18, 2007
I use Benefiber chewable tablets. They help a bit.
   — stephanienagy

June 18, 2007
Any change in bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, if lasting for more than 2 weeks, should be checked by a doctor. Please take good care of yourself and see your PCP or surgeon. Increase your fluid intake, increase your fiber (you may need to use something like metamucil, fibersure, benefiber--i like the later two), start or increase your walking..... if you are doing all of that, try taking colace, it's over the counter, a stool softner (not a laxative)--helps stool retain water which makes it softer and easier to pass--if that doesn't work, you might want to try something like Miralax, colorless, odorless, tasteless powder, mixes into anything you want.... it works by drawing water into the intestines which helps keep everything moist and moving, sort of flushes you out. Please go see your doctor and see what s/he reccomends.
   — mrsidknee

June 18, 2007
I am 4months out and use Benefiber - one or two times a day keeps it moving. I had the opposite problem be 4 surgery so this is new for me. Seems to keep thing movin' though. Good luck.
   — jammerz

June 18, 2007
I am just 4 months out and had the same problem. I was told to use Benefiber but it didn't work. I am now taking 4 chewable Fiber Choice at night and it works great. I have regular stools now every other day like the dr wants. You will have some gas with it and that is why I take it at night so that by morning I am done with the gassy part and feel fine all day. Congrats on the surgery and good luck on the weight loss.
   — hugger1021

June 18, 2007
First let your Doctor know, I have had the same problem, first I was on zelnorm for two years and it was giving me TIA and they took me off 2 weeks later they pulled it from the market...I use Metamucel capsules two in the am and it has done the trick it is natural no stimulates. If you let your body get used to laxatives it gets lazy, please let your Doctor know.
   — DonnaB.

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