Let me start by saying this might be TMI for some so if it is please pass over it and don't be offended. I am about seven weeks post band. Before my band I struggled with bouts of constipation. It would happen occasionally and I would take Milk of Mag (MOM) when it happened. The MOM helped but iit always gave me sever diaraherra. Since the band I simply cannot get rid of the constipation. It's getting horrendous. I strain to the point of bleeding. I know this isn't good. My doctor said don't use the MOM. She suggested Colace which is a stool softner. I've been taking the max dose PLUS a cup of prune juice every day. I'm STILL constipated. I tired Miralax and that did nothing. The doctor suggested Benefiber but told me that would make me really gassy and I'm already having problems with severe gas along with the consitpation.

I'm at my wits end. Any suggestions? I just want to be able to use the bathroom! I bought some Benefiber today and I'm going to try that gas or not! I guess people will just need to stand clear of me...

I did MOM to get past the initial -now probiotics every day n miralax every couple of days... more n more water... as far as the MOM- maybe you can do less,,, like 1 teaspooon a day until you more regular,, I did it for a like a week to get it all smoothed out. now things much better. but i was in alot of pain an discomfort

has anyone here heard of ''slippery elm" ?? its a natural powder made from a tree bark which is wonderful for lining the gut and helping with bowels. weve use it here after surgery and its just great. its natural, non addictive and you dont become dependant. also, it helps to sooth inflamed lining right through the digestive tract. its available in health stores. just mix 1 teaspoon in some water and it becomes thicker... if you cant drink it thick then add more liquid.

You know, the coffee thing could be a big issue. Before surgery I drank tons of coffee. And I do mean tons. And it acted like a laxative for me. As soon as I finished the cup I was pretty good to go. Pun intended. But since the surgery I have not had a single cup of coffee. I bet that's having an effect also.

id like to know how soon after surgery one can have coffee?? i love at least one drink a day. caffeinated that is. i have about three other decaf coffees through the day. so... how soon after surgery would i be able to have it? also, is it possible to drink the coffee and have yoghurt at the same time??

My doctor allows coffee immediately after the surgery. I mean, as soon as you can tolerate it. They just restrict it to one cup of caffienated a day. You can have uncaffienated if you want. My doctor allows you to drink coffee with yogurt. But I've learned each doctor has their own rules. You need to ask your doctor.

Let me start by saying this might be TMI for some so if it is please pass over it and don't be offended. I am about seven weeks post band. Before my band I struggled with bouts of constipation. It would happen occasionally and I would take Milk of Mag (MOM) when it happened. The MOM helped but iit always gave me sever diaraherra. Since the band I simply cannot get rid of the constipation. It's getting horrendous. I strain to the point of bleeding. I know this isn't good. My doctor said don't use the MOM. She suggested Colace which is a stool softner. I've been taking the max dose PLUS a cup of prune juice every day. I'm STILL constipated. I tired Miralax and that did nothing. The doctor suggested Benefiber but told me that would make me really gassy and I'm already having problems with severe gas along with the consitpation.

I'm at my wits end. Any suggestions? I just want to be able to use the bathroom! I bought some Benefiber today and I'm going to try that gas or not! I guess people will just need to stand clear of me...

one of my doctors told me at first if really clogged take a laxative.. I also do the rectal suppositories when needed, Once problem somewhat resolved, then I start out taking generic stool softener, sometimes two to three if needed. every night before bed. My family doctor said it is alright. Hope that helps. I love my Protein shakes because they have the probiotics that help with that problem. That have a natural cleanser, to keeping everything rolling, LOL. Since I have been doing these shakes my(#2) has become almost normal, which is rare for me because I am on lots of meds which the side affect is constipation. I'm not sure what stage you are in if somehow you could get some Fiber intake, as well.. Best Wishes!

has anyone here heard of ''slippery elm" ?? its a natural powder made from a tree bark which is wonderful for lining the gut and helping with bowels. weve use it here after surgery and its just great. its natural, non addictive and you dont become dependant. also, it helps to sooth inflamed lining right through the digestive tract. its available in health stores. just mix 1 teaspoon in some water and it becomes thicker... if you cant drink it thick then add more liquid.

You can also add it to your protein shakes. I have heard of it but never tried it. Judy have you personally tried it.. Just curious, I have heard of it and totally forgot about it.

My doctor allows coffee immediately after the surgery. I mean, as soon as you can tolerate it. They just restrict it to one cup of caffienated a day. You can have uncaffienated if you want. My doctor allows you to drink coffee with yogurt. But I've learned each doctor has their own rules. You need to ask your doctor.

that sounds great. im goign to have to ask him though. im ringing my dietician early next week and i will have some questions to ask her. i must start to write some down .. thanks for this input. i will be quite happy if i could have a cup of caffeine first thing.; i tend to get a headache if i dont. i have it black without sugar anyway. it sounds like i will be doing that for breakfast. coffee and low fat yoghurt. Greek yoghurt.

Thanks KristyT! This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid! I'm an RN so I do realize the difference between a laxative and a stool softener. I'm deathly afraid of becoming dependent on EITHER! I don't want to be that old person that is always bemoaning their bowels! LOL I don't eat very much at all. I don't think that it's food related as I had this problem occassionally BEFORE the surgery. It just seems that it's gotten worse now. I know it's because I'm not eating fiber. I try to get my protein in first and I used to consume a lot of whole grain breads and things that I'm no longer consuming. I'm sure that all plays into it. I also am not taking pain pills. I'm taking the same meds that I did before the surgery so that shouldn't be an issue either. I'm trying to work more water into my diet. I'm just so frustrated right now. This has been the only bad part of my surgery! I'm going to try the benefiber and see what happens. I'm hoping it helps. I just wondered if anyone had any other suggestions. Thanks for your reply!

YIKES I am that old person then LOL

You can also add it to your protein shakes. I have heard of it but never tried it. Judy have you personally tried it.. Just curious, I have heard of it and totally forgot about it.

yes ... weve been using it here for years. my hubbie is very hard to get to take anything and he has gut problems, including bowel, and he is quick to use it. i use it off an on. its very very good. i think it possibly would coat the lining of the stomach as well?/ mind you, not everyone can have it thick, you would need to put more water in it.. its very much a sloppy glue consistency when it comes in contact with water... i think thats what sits around the lining of the stomach and gut.. and it helps things to move through easily. actually if you put some diabetic cordial base in with it i dont think drinking it would be an issue.just add more water to it according to taste. all health shops should keep it.

yes ... weve been using it here for years. my hubbie is very hard to get to take anything and he has gut problems, including bowel, and he is quick to use it. i use it off an on. its very very good. i think it possibly would coat the lining of the stomach as well?/ mind you, not everyone can have it thick, you would need to put more water in it.. its very much a sloppy glue consistency when it comes in contact with water... i think thats what sits around the lining of the stomach and gut.. and it helps things to move through easily. actually if you put some diabetic cordial base in with it i dont think drinking it would be an issue.just add more water to it according to taste. all health shops should keep it.

adding a bit more to this comment i made. it reminds me a bit of gelatine..

Just an update... I was so severely constipated yesterday I had to do the Milk of Mag. Today I am two and a half pounds lighter. That's how bad it was. I have stopped taking the Colace and added Benefiber into my diet as of today. I am going to try this method and see what happens...

Judych. I tried some cottage cheese the other day and I had the 180 effect. LOL Needless to say I will tread lightly with the cottage cheese. This really concerns me because I cant do the dairy products other than yogurt. I feel I need some D in my diet.

TEDO, have you tried some of the milk free products? I tend to be milk sensitive too. There are a lot of good ones out there.

So I was having this problem and I decided to add fiber to my diet by taking the gummies. This had an opposite effect. It got worse. I stopped taking the gummies about a week ago and things have been smooth since then! I talked to my doctor who suggested I try Miralax every other day. I havent done it yet, but if it comes back, I will be!

There is also a nice "cleanse" product on the market that I take every day, it's just a fiber, really but it works wonders!!! I love it. You can go HERE and find it under "products">> "nutritional products">> and it's called "Q Daily Cleanse". When I was having this problem and called my doctor he told me to take fiber and this is my go-to product.

Plant foods and probiotics are what my nutritionist swears by. She warned me that I was focusing too much on protein and not enough on plant food at my meals. I had to back off the protein (and go back on shakes to get my 65g a day) and make sure I had a fruit or veggie with each meal so that I didn't get backed up with my new-found "normal" habits. I went from really loose, almost IBS-like symptoms before surgery to normal now. If a regular person had this change, I can only imagine the constipation that would result.