to take a stool softener tablet? I am 7 weeks post op today. Since my surgery I have a terrible time with constipation and have developed internal hemorrhoids that are painful. I do take fiber tablets and add powder fiber supplement to my milk. I cant eat any vegetables unless they are baby food style, still have issues with vomiting.

I take a stool softner daily and I also have a shake every morning that has benefiber. I have no trouble with constipation like I did immediately after surgery. Just make sure that you are getting all of your fluids as this will help also. remember you are not taking much in so there will not be a lot coming out but when it does it should not be painful for you

Honestly, I'd try drinking more Water or a cup of coffee first. I'm all for the most natural solution, although I'm not sure how "natural" coffee actually is! If the water/coffee doesn't help, then try adding some kind of fiber solution (benefiber or metamucil) before taking a stool softener. The stool softeners pull water from other places and hydration is a huge issue for sleevers, especially at only 7 weeks post-op!

Good luck!

I take a stool softener when I need it without a problem. I have had hemorrhoids since having my son 38 years ago. I find if I keep things moving they don't flare up. I'm a very regular person when things are moving well, so if I miss one day, I take the stool softener the next morning and keep taking one twice a day till things get back to normal. In the early days, I also took benefiber but I am not now because I can eat a little more and I do get fiber from whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.

Drinking enough Water is important too.

Lynda

Mott's for Tot's low sugar apple juice is a winner too! (just don't guzzle it or anything!

Mirilax is just the ticket for me, started out a full cap a day and now take 1/2 cap a day - it's been an ongoing problem all my adult life that just got worse post sleeve.

Yeah, apple juiced watered down worked for me. Careful with the laxatives. You can get dependent on them.

"Laxative Dependence is a risk for people who use stimulant laxatives for a long time. Cathartic colon is the name for physiological and anatomical changes caused by long term stimulant laxative use. Although some experts dispute the existence of cathartic colon, several reliable sources document the details of this disorder. Cathartic colon is characterized by changes in the nerves and muscles of the large intestine. Cathartic colon leads to laxative dependence. Once laxative dependence sets in, it becomes difficult to have bowel movements without taking a laxative. A prudent consumer may consider other colon products instead of stimulants that can cause laxative dependence."

I'd say use fiber foods and apple/prune juice or Citrucell.

My surgeon recommend miralax. Good luck!!

So I guess I am on day 7? Not sure if I count the day of surgery in my post-op counts or not, but I don't guess anyone really cares right? LOL

I hadn't had a bowel movement all week but kept telling myself I really wasn't putting much in other then liquids and then today I decided I would search the forums on "constipation" just to see what advice might be out there and low and behold as I am searching nature comes along on her own and although it wasn't much I am guessing it was about what I have input!!

TMI I know but wanted to type something and this was the closest thing to my heart!! :wub:

Does anyone know if you can take Miralax AND Benefiber both daily? I've always been very regular but since about 3 weeks post-op til now (2 weeks later) I'm def not regular....the only way I can go now is with the help of Milk of Magnesia or a (shhhh) suppository. Don't want to keep that up, so I started taking Benefiber several days ago but still no regularity so I'm thinking of starting the Miralax again. Just wondering if I can/should do both each day or if that somehow contradicts each other. Any info appreciated!

Does anyone know if you can take Miralax AND Benefiber both daily?

Well I take Mirilax AND 6 prunes AND a Fiber bar AND a Fiber1 yogurt almost every day so I would say that it should be safe to take Mirilax AND a fiber supplement.

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I was severely constipated for 2 weeks after surgery. I am 5 weeks post op and my Dr. Recommended colace, miralax and benefiber. I didn't take them all the same day but did use the benefiber with each one of those stool softeners. Neither one is harsh at all.