I am 4 months post-op as of yesterday. After surgery up until just the past few weeks I had no problems with bowl movements what so ever even though I was advised that it was common to go back and forth with diarrhea and constipation. I hear that it may because I'm not getting as many fluids as I use to but I don't think that's the case at all. I actually feel like I get more fluids now than ever before. Anyways, I've literally taken everything there is over the counter and I take fiber supplements, drink plenty of water, exercise daily, am not on any medications that could be contributing, etc so I'm just wondering if this really is common? Has any one else experienced this? Any suggestions?

I was horribly constipated until someone here suggested the combination of Chia Seeds and Miralax. I do Miralax on Wednesday and Sunday and soaked Chia Seeds in a yogurt a couple of days in between.

All good! It's a wonderful thing.

My previous self was a horror show of irritable intestinal issues. I haven't had diarrhea in months postoperative.

What are Chia seeds? Where do you get them? And how do you use them?

What are Chia seeds? Where do you get them? And how do you use them?

Chia Seeds are the seeds that, yep, grow on Chia Pets. But they're edible and pack a decent little bit of fiber and Protein and nutrients. I get them at Trader Joes but many places have them. You can just stop them into yogurts, bread mixes, etc. but most people seem to let them soak first, which makes them develop a kind of clear jelly around them. That's what I do.

Well, I gotta say the question really is, did anyone NOT have constipation? I think everyone suffers with this issue sometime or another during the first year.

In addition to what others have said, I used colace stool softener. I am very regular and when things are going well I go every morning. So I got very proactive. If I missed going one morning, I took the colace that evening and kept taking it till things started moving again.

Lynda