I'm preop scheduled for October 3rd just getting everything together. I've started all my vitamins and have been drinking shakes for breakfast. I bought the clear, non-thickening fiber supplement yesterday and was wondering how much fiber I should be taking postop to help keep me regular. From reading other threads I will also pick up some MOM and Miralax and I've got my Gas-X chewables already.

I am 6-weeks post op and am still a bit concerned about drinking metamucil as fast as one has to before it gets to be a solid mess. For that reason, we are doing about 5-10 gms in fiber gummies a day, and that seems to help. I also think Benefiber chewables would help.

Personally, I'd rather add fiber and let my body do it's thing than take laxatives/Mom/Miralax.

I did the same thing, stocking up on Miralax, Senekot, MOM, gas-x, etc. before surgery. Turns out I haven't needed them once (I'm 12 weeks out). I spent a lot of money on stuff that is now completely worthless. Unless you are going to be unable to shop for a while after surgery, you might re-consider whether you want to invest that money in something you don't know for sure you'll need.

With respect to fiber, the standard rule is that you should get 14 grams per 1000 calories per day. So if you were eating 500 calories per day, you would want to end up with 7 grams of fiber, ideally.

I usually eat about 700 calories per day and get between 7 - 11 grams of fiber, most of it from food rather than supplements and don't have any regularity issues. But it's really an individual thing - some people need more, some less.

With respect to fiber, the standard rule is that you should get 14 grams per 1000 calories per day. So if you were eating 500 calories per day, you would want to end up with 7 grams of fiber, ideally.

Wow I did not know that! Very helpful. I was still stuck on trying to get 25 gms a day because that's what is recommended, wondering how the heck I was ever going to do that. I'm eating between 600-700 so I need about 10 gms, which is totally doable once I can eat normally. Thank you for sharing that!

I agree with the others who say don't shop until you need it. I wasted a lot of money on (many) things I thought I would need and have not used.

I started non-thickening, tasteless fiber in my milk during 6 month preop and have continued daily. Still constipated, regardless.

It's different for everybody, and trial and error with what works.

I was still stuck on trying to get 25 gms a day because that's what is recommended, wondering how the heck I was ever going to do that.

Yeah, that recommendation is based on the assumption that everyone is eating the standard 2000 calories per day or whatever that is. I didn't know it either until I stumbled on this website from the Harvard School of Public Health:

http://www.hsph.harv...ce/fiber-table/

Then I did a little more research to confirm, just because not even Harvard is right all the time!

You ladies are so helpful. I think I will take it back to target since it was pretty expensive anyway. I'll hold if on buying the rest of the stuff too. Thank you!

You ladies are so helpful. I think I will take it back to target since it was pretty expensive anyway. I'll hold if on buying the rest of the stuff too. Thank you!

The one thing I'd keep is the Gas-x because if you need them, it will be during the first few days when you won't be able to go to the store. Rest of the stuff, yeah, return until you need it.

Yes, the GasX strips have been a life saver. So glad to know about the fiber requirement based on caloric intake. I eat beans and also just started varying my protein shakes with hemp seed high fiber protein powder. That gives me fiber and a good alternative to whey protein.

Where is the best place toget the strips? They have an 18 pack at Walmart for $5 but with people saying they take 2 at a time that seems expensive. Do the chewable ones work just as well?

Where is the best place toget the strips? They have an 18 pack at Walmart for $5 but with people saying they take 2 at a time that seems expensive. Do the chewable ones work just as well?

They do work as well, but I know my husband didn't want to chew anything at first. He only used one at a time and only needed them for the first few days.

They do work as well' date=' but I know my husband didn't want to chew anything at first. He only used one at a time and only needed them for the first few days.[/quote']

Good to know. Thanks again!

Where is the best place toget the strips? They have an 18 pack at Walmart for 5 but with people saying they take 2 at a time that seems expensive. Do the chewable ones work just as well?

I just use one at a time, didn't know about doubling them up. Not too expensive. I think we got them at Walgreens.