Question:
1 year post op -Constipated, Frustrated=South Beach Diet

I have been doing the South Beach diet for the last week and a half and I have watched my weight loss pick up-I am still trying to lose another 60-70 lbs-I am still doing the induction phase and want to stay on it but it is no carbs at all except for a little veggies here and there, but I have been really focusing on the protein thing-ut now I'm constipated this happened in the beginning of my weight loss about 2 mos out and I upped the veggies and fiber intake-about a month ago I was eating Low carb granola and lo carb hot cereal with really high grams of fiber and I wasn't haven't problems with constipation, but now I am losing the weight but am constipated-should I go back to eating the low carb granola and cereals for the fiber 2x a day again-I don't want any carb cravings to come back or jeopardize my loss-Who would suck it up and take colon cleanse to keep losing the weight and then worry about the fiber once they reach goal-I was gonna stay on the induction phase until I reached goal-I don't know what to do I know constipation is a sign of poor dietary habits-I was getting good fats and carbs with the oats and stuff??? I'm confused-This is so frustrating-Help!!!    — TotallyTori (posted on March 18, 2004)

March 17, 2004
I do not know a lot about this deit however I have done Atkins, and I found if I had a small salad a day I was able to help with the constipation if if it gets too bad take a fiber pill for a couple of days
   — Rosemary L.

March 17, 2004
Colace helps me. It's not a stimulant, it's a stool softener. Make sure you're getting lots of water too and add more veggies (they allow certain veggies in the induction phase).
   — mom2jtx3

March 18, 2004
I am 11mo post-op and just in the last 2 months have been having trouble with constipation and gas. Prior to that I had no troubles. I started using Colace and upped the water and ate prunes and used Benefiber, but still had trouble. What has helped me is Fiber One cereal. It has 14gm of fiber in a half cup with only 60 calories. I eat it dry at my desk at work and it isn't too bad. Nice and crunchy! I'm now off the Colace and prunes and pooping like normal! Give it a try, I think it's the highest fiber cereal out there. It looks like twigs but it doesn't taste bad. Actually if it works, it can taste like twigs! Good Luck!
   — Lori J.

March 18, 2004
Victoria, many people have this problem with Phase 1 of the Beach. I have 2 suggestions. The first is one that the SB creator, Dr. Agatson, recommends: using a fiber supplement like Citracel (there is a sugar free version) 30 mins before meals. This helps you feel full before you eat and also works like a fiber-filled food would in a meal. This is what I did for the induction phase. My second suggestion is to NOT stay on Phase 1 for too long. It is too restrictive. I lost very well on Phase 2 by just adding a few carbs, usually an apple and sometimes a half piece of whole grain bread. I'm sort of on Phase 2.5 now, for maintenance. Also, you can have beans on Phase 1. Go get a small Wendy's chili every day. That will help too! hugs, Ann rny 9/10/99 260/124
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 18, 2004
Hello all! I am only 3 months post op and I have experienced constipation problems. I use Benefiber. I just add a pack to my water. It doesn't have any taste and isn't like Metamucil. Its sugar-free and ok'd by my surgeon. I don't use it every day because I do get a little fiber in daily. It helps alot! Good Luck! Kathy
   — Kathy *.

March 18, 2004
I had the same problem and then I added an apple a day and I make sure and drink lots of water. I have been doing great...I am going on my 3rd month of the south beach diet and I really believe I am going to make it to goal... Good luck
   — Silly_Little_Dreamer B.