Getting enough fiber/Constipation

[quiltermom65 38]

I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm preparing and starting to eat better. I just started to take Centrum adult chewable vitamins. It has Iron in it and it's making me constipated. After I have the sleeve I don't know how much Fiber I'll get in. I'm worried about Constipation. Is it ok to take Miralax in Water from the get go after surgery? If I can swallow stool softeners is that ok? The stool softeners are little pills. I know after taking narcotic pain meds and no food plus the iron in the chewable Vitamins, I can see a real problem of constipation. Advice please.

[BigTink2LilTink 723]

I would say so. I was about two weeks post surgery when I started on prescription Miralax. After that I have been taking Metamucile daily since. When I wasn't on any fiber I was extremely bloated and I think constipated once. But you may want to clear a laxative/fiber with your surgeon before taking something over the counter.

Edited July 7, 2015 by BigTink2LilTink

[Rogofulm 2,440]

Yes. I was in rough shape during the first two weeks, until I discovered Miralax. And remember that during the first couple of weeks, fluids are even more important than Protein. Get that going, and so will you!

[Soapandcandlequeen 124]

A good stool softener is a must. I take 1 everyday since I have to take Iron in addition to my multi Vitamin

[Jb1176 79]

I had a terrible time finding the right amount of Fiber to deal with Constipation. The directions from the surgeon's office was 25 grams of Benifiber per day. That gave me horrible diarrhea. They then reduced the amount of Benifiber to 12 grams a day. Diarrhea continued. I finally decided Benifiber was the problem and switched to Gummy fiber with 4 grams of fiber per day. The problems continued. I stopped all fiber supplements and tried one probiotic pearl a day and that seems to be working fine. Everyone's systems react differently to supplements. I do keep Miralax handy in case I have a problem but Miralax takes 2-3 days to work for me.