I am in phase four -- two meals consisting of 1/4 cup fruit and 1/4 cup Protein, and two meals consisting of 1/4 cup vegetables and 1/4 cup protein.

I did fine on every other phase.

Problem #1: Phase four is giving me massive constipation!

Problem #2: I can't each much food. (I was able to consume much more when it was all liquid.)

Every time I eat, it feels like the food and the air in my stomach are fighting each other to trade places. I never had this with liquids.

My "manual" says to eat and drink more Water for constipation, but I can't hardly stand to eat because of what I described above. The food feels miserable in my stomach. It doesn't hurt, but it feels funky, especially if I am backed up.

Has anyone else had these problems and how did you remedy them?

My "manual" says not to take laxatives. I tried prune juice and it did nothing.

Help!

Have you tried a stool softer? Its not as harsh as a laxative. Check with you're doctor to see if it allowed. Seems that each doctor has different requirements.

You should be on a stool softner. I was on colace from the day I came out of surgery. My doctor kept me on one for 30 days post-op.

I didn't do these phases, but I would eat the Protein first and do the best you can with the fruit and veg.

Eat slower. It's important when we are still on mostly liquids but even more important when we reintroduce food. Also make sure you foods are moist, especially your protein even if it means adding a bit of broth to them.

I agree with BLERDgirl. Eat slooooow. Put the fork down and wait or get the app called "eat slow". It has a little alarm with it is time for another bite. I still have the air problem if I don't pay attention to my chewing and speed.

Thank you!

I have thought many times that I might be eating too fast, but now even the shakes make me queasy. I think it's because I'm constipated.

I got some Miralax and am going to try to add some of that. It is supposed to hold the Fluid in your stool to make it softer.

I forgot to mention that I have pitting edema and I am on a fluid pill so that is robbing my bowels of some fluids as well.

I am going to try that app. It is really hard to know what speed to eat at. I am having some trouble with that.

If you are on water pills you need to replace not just fluids but electrolytes and minerals. Try a tiny bit like maybe ¼ of a mashed banana, or drink either coconut water or gatorade.

I have tried bananas, but it isn't a help. And I'm not allowed to have Gatorade because I've got pitting edema in my legs. My doctor did a blood test and I'm low on potassium and magnesium and have started taking both.

Seems like these are my side-effects of the surgery. I always held a lot of Fluid, but now there's less body to process it. The surgeon says it will work itself out eventually. And I can't wait until it does!!!