Question:
Hard BM's

Since the surgery I always had loose stools and dumped if I ate the wrong foods. For about 3-4 weeks now I have been having regular but very painful, hard BM's. I don't feel much pain in the pelvic area. I did once after one become hugely flushed, my face and chest area. Has anyone else had this problem, should I be worried? Or will this go away with time? Because I really don't want to go get checked. It was hard enough coming on here to ask the question. I also have been drinking about 3-4 litres of milk every couple of days, this has only begun for about the last 2 weeks now. I can't seem to get enough milk. I had been drinking flattened pop but am off it again, it makes me feel sick. Angela/LadyIllusions/Sattorie cw 147lbs/gw 130lbs/sw 338lbs Open RNY w/Amson Sept 18/01 Gallbladder removal Dr.Amson Nov 02 Pannelectomy Dr.Taylor July 17/03    — Angela M. (posted on April 14, 2004)

April 14, 2004
You can try drinking much more water, colace a stool softener. But for ME I added extra vegetable oil to my meals and that worked great! I used to plug up the toilet:(
   — bob-haller

April 14, 2004
Hi Angela. I am 15 months Post Op and I had the sme problem 3 weeks ago. I suggest you talk to your doctor soon because I ended up developing a very painful anal fissure (easily explained: a tear on the contracting muscle on the anus). I had to go through another surgery that required me getting an epidural. I won't lie....it was painful. Im not saying this will happen to you, but please speak to your doc soon. I would LOVE to save anyone from that kind of pain. Please contact me by email if you want any further info.
   — Wendie G.

April 14, 2004
It sounds to me like you are not drinking enough water. You should be drinking atleast 64 oz'z of water aday, no milk or soda, both can dehidyate you and delete your water intake. As long as I take enough water in my BM stay easy. The water will help flush out the fat, when that happens you may get a light brown stool, I tried Benefiber, but a small dose of Phillips Milk of Magnesia works good for me. Remember, drink, drink and drink more water.
   — cindy

April 14, 2004
I am only 3 months out so not quite as much of an expert but I was having the same problem when the doctor switched me to a prenatal vitamin for the iron. I solved the problem by adding a tablespoon or so of grapenuts to my yogurt and cottage cheese each morning. That provided the extra fiber that I was not getting in my diet. And like the other posters said, I am also drinking around 80 oz of water each day.
   — Char L.

April 14, 2004
I'm in the same boat . . . my cure was something I found at my local ShopRite. The MOM didn't do it. I tried Fiber Choice. Its a daily fiber supplement, chewable orange flavored tablets, and they honestly taste good! And better yet, they work!
   — lorien

April 14, 2004
Hi Angela, It sounds like you are constipated....NO FUN!Everyone around me knows that is a proverbial 4 letter word! Anyway, try milk of magnesia...should break everything up and get ya regular again! Cassie
   — tizzylish2003

April 14, 2004
As Wendie mentioned, I too developed not one, but two fissures ... not fun at all! I think you really need to make sure you get a lot of fiber (Benefiber is a must daily for me!) ... but that probably won't help immediately, and I also take a stool softener (like Colace), and although that might take a day or two to really start working, I always make sure I have it on-hand. Good luck! LAP RNY 06/18/03 -110
   — Karyn B

April 21, 2004
I use Kellogg's all-bran cereal if you eat that cereal at least once every two days you WILL have results and they are NOT painful. I went through the same thing. I know exactly what you're talking about. I ended up in the ER because of the constipation and the anal fissures (initially I thought they were hemorrhoids). I wish you the best and Good Luck. Hugs Terri
   — tinky471