This has been bothering me now for several weeks, asked at the doc's and got multiple recs from them so I thought I would ask here and see if we can narrow it down.

I went from fairly regular pre surgery to going 4+ days between bowel movements (everybody's favorite topic, eh?) and when things finally move its... in a word, unpleasant.

Is anyone else in a similar position and if so, what do you use to combat the issue?

I tried beneful but it needs 3 times a day and I found that difficult to keep up so never really saw results. I just tried ex lax the last few days and that helps but its not meant to be used more than 1 week at a time, not intended as a habitual usage sort of thing.

What have people tried and what were your results?

As in the post link provided by @@Kindle, I suggest flax seeds.

Exactly...other things are whole grains, chia seeds, and hemp seeds. Besides adding Fiber supplements to my Protein shakes, once I was close to goal I added a lot more whole grains and fruit to my diet. And I switched my Protein Bars to whole grain bars and my stools have gotten a lot better. A really good Cereal I found is Kashi Go Lean (the one that has "fiber twigs, soy protein Graham's and honey puffs). It's got 13g protein and 10g insoluble fiber. Win-win. I mix it in plain Greek yogurt or regular milk for even more protein.

Prunes have always worked for me in the past. I'm only pre-op at the moment but I've dieted on Protein shakes in the past and got very constipated then so they were a good solution.

I'm not allowed prunes on my pre-op diet but have found that sugar-free Jello has the required effect. Really notice the difference if I don't have one each day. Does jello work for other people?

One product that has not been mentioned here for a while is Smooth Move Herbal Teas, which have a senna laxitive property to them. I just bought some again from Traditional Medicinals at Worldpantry.com.

My favorite is the chocolate, although they have three other flavors. Usually at bedtime I have a cup of sugar-free instant hot chocolate with a little sugar-free Herhey's Syrup and sugar-free whip cream. (chemicals, I know, but it's a trade-off)

If things have been moving slowly, I just add a Smooth Move chocolate tea bag and leave it there the whole time I am sipping my way cup. In the morning, all is right with the world again.

good read and reference if I run into this problem. thanks

Prunes have always worked for me in the past. I'm only pre-op at the moment but I've dieted on Protein shakes in the past and got very constipated then so they were a good solution.

I'm not allowed prunes on my pre-op diet but have found that sugar-free Jello has the required effect. Really notice the difference if I don't have one each day. Does jello work for other people?

Sometimes sugar substitutes cause interesting gastrointestinal effects. Eat some sugar free haribo gummy bears. The malitol in them causes all sorts of issues. But in your case the sugar substitute in your jello might be causing the desired effect.

I'm gonna hop on the prune juice wagon and see if it helps. Thanks. I get lots of good suggestions here and I really appreciate it. It feels

Like the only spot I can hear this info

I have suffered with annual fissures due to constipation....even had 2 surgeries because of them...for me Mirilax EVERYDAY no matter what and Water, water, water. A friend of mine was in the hospital with something and they would not let her leave until she went #2 the nurse came back with a cup of warmed prune juice--it worked so well she almost didn't make it to the bathroom--the nurse said "I've been a nurse for 40 years and nothing works better"....Sounds gross but when you are in pain you do what you have to do....Good Luck

So I'm pretty new here and this is my first post. I'm just 3 weeks out and today is the first time I've had a problem going to the bathroom. I'm scared. My body is telling me I need to have a BM. I just can't go. I had to leave work cause I hurt so bad. I just took my first dose of Milk of Mag. Hopefully I can get some relief soon. Doc's office says magnesium citrate as a last resort before going to hospital.

I'm gonna buy prune juice and try it because the only way mine are moving is magnesium citrate. I'm glad this question was asked.

There is the issue that chemical laxatives are not supposed to be taken every day because then your body 'forgets' how to move waste through the system on its own - then it becomes a vicious circle.

Also before you get too worried about not going every day remember that on pre and early post op diets there's very little of substance going into your body and by the time your body has extracted all the Protein, nutrients etc from it that it needs there's not a lot left to pass through. It only becomes an issue if you start to feel uncomfortable.

I had forgotten about the Haribo sugar free Gummy Bears. When I first head about it, I bought some on purpose, and they will clean you out in about four hours. The rest of the family will have to go to the restroom at the gas station down the street. Do not eat these on the way to work! If you have coworkers you do not like, put a big jar of them on your desk around Halloween. Amazon.com has some reviews, and it is the most hilarious material I have ever read. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Haribo-SUGAR-Classic-Gummi-Bears/product-reviews/B006J1FBLM/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

You can get Colace (stool softener ) over the counter. No prescription needed.

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, I didn't read all the comments, but I really like Smooth Move tea. It works great for me. I drink a cup at bed time and usually go in the morning. I buy it at the local grocery store in the herbal tea section. I spoke to my doctor about it and she said you can use it every day or two without causing any harm.

Thanks whoever mentioned smooth move tea earlier. Now I see it again. This site is so nice for all kinds of suggestions.

I like it also at night and seems to indeed get things moving

I have been on very high doses of multiple narcotics for over 4 years and constipation has been a long time friend. I am really concerned about what post op will be like. I have found three things that make a huge difference and it took 3 years of trial and error, but I promise these work the best out of everything I have tried. I love Smooth Move tea, prune juice, and or dries prunes. I have a collection of every OTC & most of the prescription products available and it turns out the simple things work the best. Good luck everyone!