So I'm 2 months post op. I still have very hard BMs to the point where there's blood on the toilet paper when I wipe. Any suggestions to make them softer? They are usually quite painful. I'm getting in water...

Water and stool softener

Constipation can be a difficult problem after surgery. After several months after surgery I developed this complication. After trying several stool softeners that gave me no relief, I finally resorted to inserting a glycerin suppository up my rear end every three days. Obviously I did not want to make this fix a permanent thing. I stumbled onto a simple fix. I found that if I ate an apple before I retired for the night, I would have a good BM the next morning. The trick is that you must also eat the skin of the apple. This approach has worked for me for over a year.

Constipation can be brought on by a lack of fluids, so make sure that you are meeting the requirements in this department.

Other suggestions on past threads for this problem are:

Smooth Move Herbal Tea

Prune juice (warmed)

Prunes (4 in the morning and 4 at night)

Magnesium citrate

Insoluble fibers (Garden of Life Raw Fiber or Renew Life Triple Fiber).

Haribo sugar free Gummy Bears

Aerobic Magnesium 07

Low Fat Bran Muffin (recipe). 80 calories each

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups bran Cereal

1 ¼ cups milk

1 egg

½ tablespoon applesauce

optional: banana, berries, mini chocolate chips

Bake 400° F for 22 minutes

I have had very severe constipation issues after surgery. I use Miralax or Fiber Choice if I don't have a BM for one day to prevent it from getting out of control. I like the Fiber Choice because I can control how many tablets I take (up to 6 a day) and it has been working well for me. I am now just short o 3 months post op and I am having to take extra fiber less and less now. I try to get it with my diet as much as possible. I am sorry you are having problems. I know just how miserable it can be. I developed a really bad fissure from it so I do whatever it takes to keep from getting bound up anymore. I hope you find some relief very soon.

Hot lemon water always helped me.