Question:
I have found an answer to my constipation and acid/bile reflux...sharing it here.

This is a little advice/JMHO for those of you who feel you are 'full of sh-t' LOL. I have been a 'slow mover' since my RNY in Aug/03. I have tried stool softener, senna, mineral oil, MOM, exlax, fiber stuff. Either they didn't work or worked too well and caused major discomfort. To top it off, my iron is very low and I must take iron, 3-4 tabs every morning(35gr elemental each tab). What I have found that works is a combination of a daily bowl of bran flakes and milk counted as a meal, 2 pcs of Ryvita crisp bread with 2 tbs.cream cheese(together counted as a meal), 120+ oz of water throughout the day and evening. But oddly enough the thing that really helped is this--when I get up in the morning, before I eat or drink anything else, I drink 20-30 oz of water in about 5 minutes. Just gulp it down 10 oz at a time. It seems to go all the way through me and reaches my colon then I have to 'go". When I'm done drinking, it takes about 10 minutes to work. Then I have to go right away. It's not runny but it is very soft. I get a complete emptying this way, nothing stuck or left behind, no chemicals, no nausea, no reflux. If I don't do this first thing in the morning when my pouch is empty, it doesn't work. It has been a miracle for me as constipation was something I was dealing with everyday due to the amount of iron I'm taking. The constant use of all the different laxatives was causing my intestines to be over active thus causing bile and acid reflux while I was sleeping. Horrendous reflux! So no more reflux and a daily poo. It's been a while since I have felt this good and my 3-4 month long plateau is finished, I'm losing again. OPEN RNY AUG 7/03;302/219/GOAL IS 160; 5'4"    — mary ann T. (posted on May 17, 2004)

May 18, 2004
I have had issues too and am now drinking Smooth Move tea every 3 days. It has Senna leaves in it but seems to work better than Senna in tablet form.
   — Susan F.

May 18, 2004
My favorite elixir is "Colon Clenz". I get it at Mana Grocery because it's considered a herbal food additive. I have IBS - before my surgery I had diareha - after surgery I have constipation. Two Colon Clenz capsules a day and I'm in fine form. Thanks for sharing the info on the importance of water. I think that I'll add that to my routine as well. The extra water certainly won't hurt anything!
   — Etta M.

May 18, 2004
Thanks for the tip! Constipation has been my only complaint about this surgery. It prevents me from taking any calcium supplements as calcium seems to turn to concrete. I will try this tomorrow first thng. Postop 11/02 300/145
   — cathy G.