Question:
I think the problem is hard BM's. What to do about it? Please help.

I'm three months post op. Down 81 pounds. I just started eating fruit and veggie. Had a previous problem with stenois (narrowing of stoma). Any ideas please let me know. Thanks    — hessie28 (posted on April 21, 2002)

April 21, 2002
Senokot, or the generic brand, a vegetable laxative. Maybe once a week or you will know when it's time to take it. Helped me out alot.
   — blank first name B.

April 21, 2002
I have also just started experiencing hard BM's. I did a little research on this site and found a couple things that I may try. One is MOM or milk of magnesia. Someone mentioned a TBSP a day to keep things moving. Another popular thing is Smooth Moves Tea. They said that it is found at the grocery store in the tea section or the health food section. They said it tastes good and a cup a day productive. Go to the library and do a search under smooth moves (you can do 2 words) and constipation for other ideas. And as always, check with your doc before starting any new meds.
   — Cheri M.

April 22, 2002
i agree w/ above also focus on foods that help you to stay LOOSE. Like ripe bananas, beans, anything you know you eat that helps you losen it up!!!! A diatition might help you with this...good luck..great loss, jacki
   — jacki L.

April 22, 2002
Hi Kathy. I am going into my 14th week post-op and have experienced the same problem. I had not found a solution until my doctor put me on a liquid iron supplement. When I went to pick it up, the pharmacist told me I should take Colace while I am on the iron, to prevent constipation. It is the best move I ever made (no pun intended). I am as regular as can be, and pardon my frankness, it is effortless when I do go. You can find a generic form of Colace (Docusate Sodium) at Walgreens for $9.99. It is just a stool softener, NOT a laxative. Good luck!
   — Christie S.

April 22, 2002
Please before you take any of this advice ask your Dr!! After all you just had major bowel surgery and laxatives and stool softeners may not be necessary. Are you drinking at least 64oz water? Do you excerise? Are you following the diet wich your Dr (nutritionalist) <sp> gave you? Some people think that they can eat what ever they want and there are no reactions to that --- Good Luck
   — Robert L.

April 22, 2002
I totally feel your pain. I am five months out and have had that problem off and on since surgery. I just finally had to call my surgeon and talk about it. To begin with if you really are getting 64 oz of water then you really need to aim higher, like 80 oz or so. This really helped me. Also I was told I could take a LIQUID laxative like the go litely I used before surgery. One thing you really need to remember. Our digestive tracts are really different now. Your stool contains a lot of unabsorbed foods and fats so the consistency is much different. Sometimes there literally will be undigested food come out. You also need to remember to never STRAIN to have a bowel movement EVER! You could really harm your newly formed intestines (even years out). I know this is pretty graphic but I wanted to share what my surgeon shared with me. I hope that you will get better but remember once you do start moving more things will get back to a more 'normal' routine. Good luck.
   — purdue_1993