Here are my BM rules:

1. If you haven't gone and you are uncomfortable, you need to take something that will give you relief overnight. I use Smooth Move Tea for this purpose. Milk of Magnesia or a product with senna will work. If you feel like you have to take it more than once a week or you have to take it because you can't have a BM without it, you need to use step 2 or 3.

2. If you regularly struggle with staying regular, you need to add Miralax or chia (or both) every day or two. Make sure you add 8ou of Water to your daily requirements if you take miralax or chia.

3. If you are chronically constipated, in addition to causing added weight, it will cause inflammation. The following smoothy will help with both. It takes about 2 weeks of daily use, but you will start feeling better. This is not for anyone that is on a pre-surgery diet or is less than 6-weeks post surgery.

Recipe

- 1/2 cup papaya (I buy a whole one and cut it up and freeze it.)

- 4 or 5 prunes

- 1/4 cup aloe vera juice

- 1/4 cup prune juice, cranberry juice, or acai juice (Any juice without added sugar)

- 1/4 cup berries, mango or 1/2 of a frozen banana

- 1/4 cup water

I throw all of it into a blender on high until it's smooth. You may need to add some more water depending on your blender. It makes about 12-14 ounces. Sometimes I add a packet of Splenda depending on the juice I've added.

Papaya has wonderful digestive enzymes in it. It is especially helpful in breaking down Protein.

Prunes have Fiber and a very mild laxative effect.

Aloe Vera juice is a potent anti-inflammatory and has essential amino acids. It also helps increase protein absorption in your digestive system.

The juice and fruit are to improve the flavor and to add variety. I think it tastes pretty good.

Those of you that are on low carb plans may need to check with your NUT. I only have two rules for eating... eat enough protein (80+) and drink 64ou of water every day.

This is such good advice for everyone! Thanks for posting.

I definitely want to try this. I find I have a BM roughly every 4 days (and my weight gradually climbs during those 4 days). Sometimes if I don't get a BM naturally, I "help it along" with a Dulcolax tablet, but that tends to be pretty harsh and causes a major "release". Not much to my liking. Though my weight always drops back down to what I consider my "true" weight.

I'd love to get rid of the Dulcolax requirement. This shake just might do it.

Thanks for sharing!

Can we use prune juice in your protein shakes?

That smooth move tea has senna, which can actually turn your large intestine black and make colonoscopies harder to do. The doctor will also assume you are abusing laxatives. I speak from experience. Here is info about the disorder, called Melanosis coli:

http://www.medicinenet.com/melanosis_coli/article.htm

That smooth move tea has senna' date=' which can actually turn your large intestine black and make colonoscopies harder to do. The doctor will also assume you are abusing laxatives. I speak from experience. Here is info about the disorder, called Melanosis coli:

http://www.medicinenet.com/melanosis_coli/article.htm[/quote']

How often is considered chronic use? I only recommend senna if you're backed up and haven't gone in a while. The tea seems to be a lot less harsh that the pills. Since starting back on the smoothie I haven't had to use it at all.

Can we use prune juice in your Protein shakes?

I tried prune juice in my Protein Shakes a few weeks after surgery, but I didn't see any change from it. I may try to add some protein to my smoothie, but right now I don't want to mess it up since its got everything working regularly again.

That smooth move tea has senna' date=' which can actually turn your large intestine black and make colonoscopies harder to do. The doctor will also assume you are abusing laxatives. I speak from experience. Here is info about the disorder, called Melanosis coli:

http://www.medicinenet.com/melanosis_coli/article.htm[/quote']

Good to know.

How often is considered chronic use? I only recommend senna if you're backed up and haven't gone in a while. The tea seems to be a lot less harsh that the pills. Since starting back on the smoothie I haven't had to use it at all.

I only used it once a week and it was 5+ years before the colonoscopy. The doctor accused me of abusing laxatives.