Miters36!!

All I can say is I decided when I started this journey in May of 2010 that I DIDNOT want a scale to DEFINE me or HOW my day was going to start out!! For one thing I only weighed in about every 2 weeks and after a few months I only weighed in once a month. Once I had the sleeve I weighed in every 2 weeks. If I felt my clothes were getting bigger I might sneak a weighin in just to see how I was doing. I don't want to be crabby cuz one day I stayed the same or the next day I gained 2 lbs. or start my day out upset because what the scale says from day to day. That is what I mean by I didn't want the scale to define me or what my day would be like. A persons weight can fluctuate 2 lbs or more from day to day depending on fluid retention from day to day. Don't get yourself all worked up on a daily basis that only leads to fustration and possibly to causing you to eat things you shouldn't any way.

Now to deal with the constipation, this is what I have found works for me. I would go 6 days without a BM also. I purchased some stool softeners at CVS Pharmacy - First I took 1 a day for a week to see if that helped, If i still felt too constipated I tried a suppository to get me going. Then the next week I would take 2 stool softeners a day for a week. If no results and I felt constipated I again used a suppository to help get me going. Then the next week I tried 3 softeners a day for a week and that is what finally worked for me and has for the past 3 or 4 months. I usually go about every 2 to 3 days and I donot have to strain to go either. And usually I will go about 2 or 3 times that day. But I also take my 3 stool softeners along with my other vitamins EVERY DAY and since that time I have ZERO issues with constipation.

These softeners are not hard on your system either. Laxitives can be hard on your body causing you more problems than you already have. Laxitives should not be used on a regular basis.

Hope this information helps you as it sounds like you are struggling.

Diane!

I've always been told to weigh early in the morning, that is the most accurate weight..and not so often. Once a week should suffice. I'd drive myself crazy if I stalked my scale all day everyday.

As for the constipation, I haven't even had surgery yet but I have been a long time sufferer of it (IBS). I've actually had 3 doctors (one being GI) tell me it is very safe to use miralax daily. It's flavorless and you can add to a cup of coffee, tea, diet soda,,whatever. 1 cap a day and you will be going regular within a week. If not, try 2 capsful 2 times a day. If this doesn't work, you should see a GI. 6 days is way too long to go without bm's. Good luck!

You are weighing too often!!! Put your scale in an inaccessible place and weigh once a week. Period. At least until you break through your plateau. Plateaus are NORMAL for everyone, even us VSGers. Try playing with your diet and caloric/protein intake and increase or change your exercise routine and taht will ususally reset your metabolism and get your scale moving again. But DO"T get discourgaed. 88 pounds in 5 months is HUGE and something to be VERY proud of!!

I, too, have had severe issues with constipation. As the commet above pointed out, MIRALAX is your friend!!! It has worked miracles for me...miracles. I use one capful daily in one of my beverages. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before your drink it afteryou stir it in, an you would never know it was in the drink. My surgeon reccommended it as safe for daily use. My youngest daughter also happens to have renal issues and her nephrologost and urologist both have her taking Miralax daily as well. You buy it over the counter anywhere, and the generic works just as well for us. I would start out using 2 capfuls a day until things get moving so to speak and then maintenance dose of 1 cap daily should suffice.

I drink my skim milk and that helps me use the bathroom...but i drink tons of water too...