I'm 1 month post op and only seem to be going once a week. Anyone know of a stool softener that makes me go asap and doesn't make my stomach ache?

I've had to take Milk of Magnesia in the past. I took a double dose. 3 hours later, it was showtime! :-)

Other people have mentioned Smooth Move Tea, but I'm not a tea drinker and have never tried it.

Try MiraLax

This may not be news to anyone here, but some of it was to me. I had my six month appointment last week and told my PA that I was still only going 1x/week. She said that going every day increases your metabolism, reduces chances for colon cancer and helps lose more weight. She said that keeping waste in your colon for a week stretches the colon, adding an increase in cancer risk. Huh. I have since added Miralax. Good luck!

Edited October 6, 201510 yr by TealSister

Also try black beans, lentils etc

The only thing that is working for me is milk of magnesia but I HATE taking it. blech. I need to find something else.

This will taste awful but it will work. 4 oz of organic grapefruit juice. It can be pink or white, but it MUST be 100% grapefruit juice. I found the best kind sold at Trader Joe's. Dissolve 1 tsp of epsom salts in Water. Just enough to dissolve the salt. Add this to the grapefruit juice. That tart of the juice will help mask the taste of the epsom salt. You will go within an hour, no stomach cramping.

Also look for ways to add Fiber to your diet so you do not require assistance. Black Beans will give you Protein and fiber. Prune or prune juice will also give you good fiber and help you go. Adding dark green leafy veg like spinach or kale will give you protein and fiber.

Anything that won't taste awful?

Coffee!

I found Senokot-s (1 tablet) with 2 Vivace tablets work for me and I don't necessarily have to take them everyday

Prunes, prune juice and anything that will add fiber to your diet. Also healthy fats like avocado. I have been regular since day 5 post op. I go 1 - 3 times a day.

15 months out. I take a stool softener every day along with my vitamins. It makes me life so much easier.

Prunes thats what did it for me !!!

Prunes, prune juice and anything that will add fiber to your diet. Also healthy fats like avocado. I have been regular since day 5 post op. I go 1 - 3 times a day.

1-3 times per day????

@BLERDgirl DANG !!! You got it going on ! Or out ... * wink *

Pre-op I was always regular. I would go at least 2 - 3 times a day. The first month post-op they weren't as "robust" as they were pre-op but Once I went on day 5 I had 1 BM a day. Once I transitioned to soft foods, I was going ~ 2 times a day. A year out I'm back to normal. I am a vegetarian and eat as clean as possible. The lack of processed foods means it take my body less time to break down food, so depending on what I eat I go 1 -3 every day.