I'm 18 days post op. What does everyone take. What can I take? I'm so uncomfortable. I've been drinking plenty of water but nothing. Please help.

My dr said take 15ml milk of magnesia 3e times a day, take citrucel, and eat watermelon. It worked perfectly. After a couple weeks of severe constipation I really needed relief! Watermelon is actually a natural colon cleanser

Colace is a stool softener that can be a great first line defense for constipation. This alone has worked for me so far (I only had surgery on 9/4 though, so it's early days yet!). My next line of defense will be miralax and then if I am truly struggling I intend to use senna (a more potent laxative than miralax). Good luck, constipation sucks but as you can already tell by the responses, there are lots of options out there.

If you want immediate relief, go and buy a Fleet's enema. It will take care of it without having to wait.

After that, don't wait for it to become a problem. We don't get enough fruits and vegetables in our diets. My gastroentrologist (sp?) told me colace (stool softener) was the safest to use on a regular basis, so that's what I do.

I've been having really bad constipation lately, I have only been going once a week! I just started taking Colace daily and hopefully that will help me out.

I'm the same once a week. I have colace and miralax. I guess ill take the miralax. Do I have to take something everyday? I'm so uncomfortable. This really stinks.

Yes, it would be best to take something every day. Otherwise, the problem will continue to compound.

Miralax and Colace aren't laxatives. They put Water in the stool.

I take colace daily, but I am getting ready to start chia seeds.

Anothe thing to add to the mix is a magnesium supplement. It probably isn't potent enough on its own, but taken daily it does help.

I take colace daily' date=' but I am getting ready to start chia seeds.[/quote']

I'm really liking the chia seeds. I forgot to put them in my shake the other day and the shake did not taste near as good. It's not really the taste as much as it is the texture. They are also really good in pudding.

I'm really liking the chia seeds. I forgot to put them in my shake the other day and the shake did not taste near as good. It's not really the taste as much as it is the texture. They are also really good in pudding.

Put them in my pudding for two days now. All systems are happily flowing.

I'm really liking the chia seeds. I forgot to put them in my shake the other day and the shake did not taste near as good. It's not really the taste as much as it is the texture. They are also really good in pudding.

How much are you using in a shake?

2 teaspoons in a pudding cup. 3 in a protein shake because you're not going to get them all out.

I took Senokot (stool softener), after 1 week out, with as much Water as I could tolerate (which wasn't much post op). Doctor approved me taking it. I still find the need to take it every so often, even though I am 9 months out

I am interested in this Chia Seed plan. Could someone please elaborate more about them (what they are & what they do) and also let me know where I can purchase them. Many thanks!

I have chronic constipation and as a nurse the best thing i've found as an everyday, gentle treatment is Miralax. I take a 17g. everyday and I don't have cramps/diarrhea, just normal....

I took Senokot (stool softener)' date=' after 1 week out, with as much Water as I could tolerate (which wasn't much post op). Doctor approved me taking it. I still find the need to take it every so often, even though I am 9 months out

I am interested in this Chia Seed plan. Could someone please elaborate more about them (what they are & what they do) and also let me know where I can purchase them. Many thanks![/quote']

Chia seeds are seeds from the chia plant. Same seeds you get with a chia pet. They absorb and retain water.

The idea is that they hold enough water to soften your poo.

You can get them at almost any health food store & most higher end grocers.