Question:
Any Suggestions??

Can anyone recommend a good stool softener?    — LauraMarie (posted on November 8, 2009)

November 8, 2009
I would suggest Miralax.. It works and is not harsh.
   — DeniseHolstege

November 8, 2009
colace is very good also and is not harsh at all easy on the body
   — susajohn

November 8, 2009
Two colace a day has saved me - I was miserable before and they are gentle.
   — stellarsan

November 9, 2009
I discovered soon after my surgery that suppositories worked better for me. Ducolax is what I use.
   — cydthekid50

November 9, 2009
My nutritionist recommended Chia Seeds. You can add them to protein shakes or to your food. They can be purchased at health food stores, Whole Foods and even Wal-Mart. They work great for me.
   — Char-Ree C.

November 9, 2009
I am 2 1/2 weeks out and having the same problem myself. I spoke to the nurse today. She told me to use miralax to get things going and benefiber to keep things going. Walking and enough fluids r a given. She said no to the suppository because that only cleans out the rectum not the entire bowel.
   — seaqueen35

November 11, 2009
I use Colace and sometimes Milk of Magnesia. Both are easy on your system.
   — okbuffy

November 16, 2009
Greetings: Why not be good to your body and not be harsh to your bowels or your body? Start with getting green leafy vegetables into your diet, preferably by juicing, be sure you are getting sufficient water (minimum of 64 oz. daily, preferably 96 oz.) and also purchase Magnesium Citrate which you get from Vitamin Shoppe (if one is not in your area, go to VitaminShoppe.com, and order off the Internet), and purchase CALM. Every 3 teaspoons contains 615 mg. of Magnesium Citrate. I've found this to be the best source for magnesium. Start with 1 teaspoon or less daily and gradually increase to 3 teaspoons for more, as needed. When bowels are comfortably loose this is the optimal amount. It is available in several flavors. I just spoke with health guru Cherie Calbom about one of her latest books on nutrition, Jucing, Fasting and Detoxing for Life: Unleash the Healing Power of Fresh Juices and Cleansing Diets, Wellness Central, Hachette Book Group USA, New York, NY 10017. I am in the process of writing out the names and information about all the resources I've found so helpful to me. I will be posting this information at my support group website. I had just spoken with Cherie today about this very subject. The recommendations you've already received are really very harsh on your body and not good for you. You can get this book from Amazon.com. Simply query her name and the majority of her books will show up. I had previously bookmarked Chapter 5, which clearly discusses this subject. Do your body good and purchase this book (and many of Cherie's other books on juicing), and begin to work with your surgery to live with vibrant health. In the meantime, get the CALM from Vitamin Shoppe. I've found it to be simply wonderful. Besides, the Magnesium helps to balance your calcium intake. One of my favorite salads is to mince up 1/2 onion, green, red, yellow peppers, celery, apple, beet, 2 carrots, and radishes. Top off by adding chopped up dates, dried cranberries, and diced walnuts or cashew nuts. No dressing is needed. Yummy. Lasts forever in the refrigerator, with the flavors enhancing each other as the days go by. Good for your thyroid and liver and your colon. Blessings, Christine Gibson, MS, MA, Obesity Help Support Group Coach, Obesity Help Support Group Leader (www.ObesityHelp.com/group/BellevueWA), and Bariatric University Support Group Coach, [email protected].
   — Christine Gibson