How do you avoid constipation and impaction (TMI)

[Totallytater 1]

The only trouble I've consistently had since surgery is problems going to the bathroom. I don't eat that much anymore so my bowels just don't seem stimulated enough to work well. I go to the bathroom every couple of days but don't produce much. Then every several months, I get severely impacted. It's so bad that I am homebound for a couple of days. The first day, I writhe in pain and pray for death (just kidding). Then I take laxatives and crap my brains out for a whole day and a half or two days. It seems incredible that a human can crap so much. Does anyone have this problem and has anyone found a way to avoid it?

[Sarah.R 2]

You could always buy a fibre based powder. In aus theres one called benefibre, I have it every day and because I'm only 2 weeks out it's really helped. This is there website but I'm not sure if or where it's available in the states Benefiber

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Why on earth haven't you asked your surgeon for help/guidance?

[josephine 1]

I love your openess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't stop laughing but I completely know where you are coming from. I started taking Fiber Choice and to be honest with you I don't think it helps that much. Every so often I will have to take exlax but I don't go very often myself either. Sometimes I do wonder once I do go how much can collect in there and did you know our colon is up to 6 feet long? We can hold a good 9 lbs. of food in there. Sounds disgusting doesn't it?

You are going as often because of the amount that you are eating so don't expect too much. I would suggest to take a stool softener on a daily basis. Just don't get addicted to something that would make your bowels believe you can't do anything without help as that will happen. Fiber is the key to a healthy bowel movement.

Josephine

Edited May 25, 2009 by josephine
spelling

[lapbandbarb 0]

I know fiber is the key but I get really bad pains in my stomach every time I try to add fiber to my diet. The Fiber-one yogurts killed me. laxatives are really made for when you can stay home the next day and I do not have that luxury. Mira-lax works best for me. I take it every other day. Anyone know why I have so much

trouble with fiber or have ideas for me?

[Malaika 50]

The only trouble I've consistently had since surgery is problems going to the bathroom. I don't eat that much anymore so my bowels just don't seem stimulated enough to work well. I go to the bathroom every couple of days but don't produce much. Then every several months, I get severely impacted. It's so bad that I am homebound for a couple of days. The first day, I writhe in pain and pray for death (just kidding). Then I take laxatives and crap my brains out for a whole day and a half or two days. It seems incredible that a human can crap so much. Does anyone have this problem and has anyone found a way to avoid it?

My gastoenterologists told me to take Magnesium every day - I take 2 in the morning and 2 at night and it keep me regular in that I go every day -- this is not something I have ever had before in my life. Magnesium is like Vitamin C- your body will use what it needs and burn off the rest ... hint -- it dissolves really quick so do NOT drink it with something hot ... HUGE MISTAGE I learned.

Also, when my fiance had surgery, his surgeon told me to get stool soteners and those work great too ...

Good luck!

[Jachut 487]

I base my diet on fruit, vegetables and wholegrain carbs rather than Protein and that keeps me very regular.

Obviously with less food going in, there'll be less coming out. I noticed that, for sure. But with plenty of fibre rich foods, enough fluids and daily exercise, I never have a problem with Constipation.< /p>

[Malaika 50]

I base my diet on fruit, vegetables and wholegrain carbs rather than Protein and that keeps me very regular.

Obviously with less food going in, there'll be less coming out. I noticed that, for sure. But with plenty of fibre rich foods, enough fluids and daily exercise, I never have a problem with Constipation.< /p>

You are so lucky - I've always had problems - even as a child -- I eat tons of veggies and have fruit every day ... and I drink no less than 64 oz. of Water every day, and still I have issues unless I use something for assistance --- prunes work really well; however, I don't know if I'll be able to eat them after my surgery. So I've discovered that the magnesium and the stool softeners are an alternative.

[Jachut 487]

Maybe I'm just full of sh*t? Lol.

[Malaika 50]

Maybe I'm just full of sh*t? Lol.

NO - you're LUCKY you're NOT ... the rest of us with problems are the ones that are full of sh*t!

[JENNIFER7375 3]

I eat a fiber one granola bar every day and usually chew 2 of the fiber choice pills every day. the granola bars taste really good. this combinattion seems to work for me. and im someone that very rarely had problems with Constipation before my surgery but definitely need a little help now. i dont have tooo many problems wth excess gas, but i generally keep some gas-x in my purse at all times in case i need it.

[cwm812 11]

The fiber-based products have never worked for me either. I don't understand it, but I get the bad stomach pains and pain all the way through until it's out of there. I swear by Miralax. All I need is half a dose every 4-5 days, and everything keep moving. That stuff is great.

Cindy

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Every morning, I have my "concoction"...a large glass of Water (about 24 oz), with my Vitamin dissolved in it (Berocca Performance), 2 tablespoons of Benefiber with Calcium, and a package of Crystal Light Natural Citrus Splash. The Berocca I use is slightly citrus flavored but not enough to cover the taste of the Vitamins, so that's why I chose the Crystal Light flavor. I'm almost 4 months post-op and haven't had a problem. You won't go as much as you did before surgery because you don't eat nearly as much. For me that meant I went from pretty much once a day to once every 4-5 days.

Ask your doctor if, when you get seriously painfully constipated, you can use a Fleet enema rather than laxatives. Fleet enema works pretty much instantly and doesn't have any of the side effects of laxatives (no control over when a laxative decides to work, cramping, etc.). I had one episode of Constipation about a week after surgery and I was miserable, so I called my doctor's office and they told me to use the Fleet enema. Worked great!

[mrmrslamb 0]

I'm in my 3rd month of my 6 month medically followed diet and i've started walking on my lunch hour to satisfy my life coach, dietician, and because its so gooooooood for me. I've found i have to stop after about 3 laps around the gym because i have to go the bathroom. Who would have thought. So try walking and definately a powder fiber supplement or a stool soffener(you cant get addicted to these). Good luck to you.

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Ahhhh I have had that problem off and on, I take stool sofeners much less harsh than laxatives. I don't eat a lot of Fiber just some whole wheat Pasta and toast once in a while. I do eat lots of veggies and leafy dark lettuce. This does help.