Question:
What should I do for constipation?

Help! I am 5 weeks post-op and have for the first time in my life constipation problem. Any suggestions how to help with constipation? I get all my h2o in everyday so it's not because of dehydration.    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 15, 2001)

July 15, 2001
My doctor advised me to once a week take milk of magnesia. Not to take a stool softener. I did this for about 1 month and then things got back to normal. He said this is quite common Give it a try, it can't hurt you.
   — Rose D.

July 15, 2001
Try to eat some items high in fiber, such as oat bran. If you can't stomache that yet you may want to try colace or peri-colace..it is over the counter and the generics of them are very cheap. colace is a stool softner..it contains a liquid glycerine which goes into the stool softening it, and peri-colace is the colace but with a stimulant mixed in to make you feel the urge to go.
   — paula B.

July 15, 2001
Don't forget that fat intake is essential to elimination also. If you are eating NO fat, you will most likely be VERY constipated. Try adding a tablespoon of peanut butter to your day and see if that helps.
   — BethVBG

July 15, 2001
I did the increaseing of the fats, drinking more water, adding more fiber that all didn't work for me. I tried a tea call Smooth Move http://www.traditionals.com/ You can go to this site and read about it and find where it is sold nearest you. This tea even tastes good and smells great. I would drink a cup before I went to bed and when I woke I would go like I normally would. Let me know if it works for you. I bought mine in the tea section of the grocery store (Save mart for californians)
   — Heather C.

July 15, 2001
Try eating a couple of prunes. Worked like a dream for me.
   — Robin C.

July 15, 2001
I am 4.5 months postop. For the last 2 months, I have suffered from terrible constipation. I told my doctor that the only thing I could compare it to was delivering a baby!!! After was talked awhile, he realized the problem. He referred me back to his original instructions after surgery. Eat all of your protein first, then if you feel like you can eat a little more, eat a vegtable, then if you feel like you can still eat a little more, you would eat a spoonful or so of a starch (potato or rice, etc.) He does not really encourage taking protein supplements but I felt that I had to because I couldn't tolerate the meats and eggs for my protein. He explained that when you consume mostly protein, your body absorbs most of what you eat and you produce less waste. The more carbs (even salads and vegtables) that you add to your diet, the more waste you will produce. He told me that if my protein intake was as high as he wanted it, I would not necessarily have a bowel movement each day because I would have less waste each day. This was a foreign concept because in my head, I needed to go each day. Since I have started really sticking to his instructions, I do not have the same level of constipation and sometimes I go every two to three days. Also, I have started losing weight again (55 lbs total). If you do need something to relieve constipation, I would suggest the Fleet suppositories. They are fast acting and lubricate the rectum. Since I was hooked on laxatives for 19 years, I don't want to get back into the habit of taking the pill form of laxatives. Good luck to you. Dot Trudeau
   — Dorothy T.