Anyone having problems with constipation?

[DreamTheaterFan 0]

Hey - I have BIG problems with Constipation. I eat lots of fruit, take a lot of metamucil capsules (like 8 a day) and I still have constipation. In fact, to be honest (this is gross but true), it caused a fissure and now I am having a lateral sphincterotomy in a couple of weeks time so the fissure will heal. Going to the toilet has been painful for me since the operation.

I actually don't know what to do to fix this issue, I guess drink lots and lots of Water. laxatives usually stop working after a while, you need more for it to work.

Embarrassingly - I have this exact same fissure problem (I was banded May 2007). From the transition to food after surgery, I got a fissure too. Took 2 months to diagnose by several clinics and finally my primary doctor, and then I had topical Rx treatment to help. It did, but every 2 - 4 weeks it gets re-aggravated. Not as severe as originally, but enough that I keep using the Rx lidocaine (sp?) to numb it. I'm contemplating the same procedure you mentioned, but I haven't pulled the trigger because it's only a minor inconvenience twice a month right now. Not nearly as bad as when it first started. But it seems like it never fully heals or goes away - hence my consideration for surgery like you're doing.

Fiber One bars keep me regular. I take CVS brand stool softeners. But I have a hard time swallowing them depending on my tightness and time of day (won't go down, or gives me heartburn). And with this type of problem, it just takes ONE bad episode and the whole cycle starts all over. But I'm VERY interested in how you procedures goes (or went, if you've already had it). Please post how it goes or private email me - just post a note here and I'll give you my private email. Thanks for any insight. I haven't found ANYBODY that has this same problem as me or willing to admit it.