I don't know if anyone has had this, but I need help! I hope this makes sense....

Up until now, things have been fine since surgery. My only issue was bathroom issues, in that I find it hard to go, and when I do it is a struggle.

Yesterday, I ate Soup for lunch, and within 10 minutes of finishing, I had excruciating gas pains in my lower abdomen just above the pubic area. I have taken Gas-X, Dulcolax, and Metamucil since yesterday and feel some relief, but still have a lot of pain. When I try to go, I feel horrible pain in the muscle I use when I try to go to the bathroom. Even if I try to relieve the gas, it is painful.

I spoke with my surgeon's office and my primary doctor, and both say it is because I do not have enough Fiber in my diet. I drink a lot of Water, so that is not the issue. The surgeom's office assured me the lap band was fine, and they have heard of this happen.

What do you think?? Any advice or similar stories???

Can you add benefiber to your daily regimen? It dissolves in liquid - no flavor - no grit. I love it and it helps. I had IBS pre surgery which has all but disappeared now.

I suffer from constipation a lot also. For the last two weeks I have tried Nature's Plus Fruitein High Protein Energy Shake - Revitalizing Green Foods, I got it from GNC. Also I use Organic Instant Oatmeal - Oats & Flax. I have been going regularly. I feel so much better.

I eat Bob's Red Mill Oatmeal with 1/4 of an apple cut up into it almost every morning. I have no issues with constipation because of this.

Yes, add more veggies and fresh fruits to your diet. Hope you feel better soon.

I am 3 months out now and have always had issues with constipation. I went to a gastro doc in the past and was told to take benefiber once a day. I am very unpatient so didn't do it for more then a few days because I did not see results. Recently I was told to see another gastro doc by my Lapband doc since I was concerned that I was not using the restroom often. Well they told me that my digestive system was just slow compared to most people and it is ok. As far as the constipation they told me to take Benefiber and Murolax a stool softner everyday and it would more then likely be for the rest of my life. I thought oh here we go again this isn't going to work. Well to my surprise after actually doing it for a few weeks I was on top of the world. Going to the bathroom was amazing. How funny that I would get exctied about the restroom but it was no longer a struggle. I would reccomend you try it for a couple of weeks and see what happens. You might be surprised with what happens. Just last week I seen what the side effect of takeing Benefiber with out drinking enough water. It was not good so make sure you drink plenty of water if you take fiber. Good luck.

RChavez, thanks for the advice. It seems that your issues are similar to mine!!

It's a been a few days, and I have been taking the fiber 2x a day(Metamucil) with 2 Duclolax. My doc said to do this for about 10 days. I do feel better, but still feel a bit uncomfortable. Gas pains are mostly gone, but when I have to go, it does get painful. I already do, and always have, drink a lot of Water, but am trying to drink extra to flush out my system.

I have to call my doc back after the 10 days and she'll let me know if or waht I have to take next steps.

Oh, instead of doing the Metamucil, I wanted to switch to Vitafusion Fiber Gummies. It has the same amount of fiber as in the Metamucil. Could I just take those? I know I need to drink water with those too.