So I was struggling with MAJOR constipation issues. It was making me feel miserable. I decided to take the two week Activia challenge...it has changed everything!!! I feel sooooo much better. I am eating an Activia yogurt or an Activia cottage cheese everyday...it's only been a week...and I feel sooooo much better.

Just wanted to spread the word for anyone having the same problems!

I have thinking of using activa also, can you tell me what the sugar count is.

right now I use stool sofners and metimucil

I take Acidophilus Pearls every day and they work great for me. I use a sharpie and write 1 thru 30 on the back of each pill so I can remember if i took it today. And since I always forget a couple of days out of the month, I have a pill for those 31 day months.

Serving Size: 1 Pearl Amount/Serving %DV

Proprietary Probiotic Blend 1 billion CFU *

Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum

Other Ingredients: palm oil, Gelatin, glycerin, lecithin, and pectin. Contains No: sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring and preservatives. This product contains natural ingredients; color variations are normal. Untitled Document

I struggled before surgery and still do now...wasnt sure if exactly what Activa was supposed to do.. So thank you for posting this.

are Acidophilus Pearls the same thing that is added to the yogurt and cottage cheese? Where can I buy this?

I tried the activia cottage cheese. I HATED the consistancy. It was thick and pasty, but the yogurt wasn't bad. I haven't tried the yogurt again since being banded. I too have a problem with constipation. My doctor said I wasn't getting enough water. So I upped my water. I also learned that lemon water is helpful. Doctor also asked if I was eating citrus. I said no, I had cut it out because of the sugar and the pithy parts of the fruit. He suggested getting fresh grapefruit. Only 3 - 4 sections at a time or serving. Slice off the pithy part where the seeds are and peel off the fibrous part and eat them peeled. I started doing this at breakfast every morning. The last two days I've had a MUCH easier time going to the bathroom. It was like pre-band days. No effort or strain. What a difference!! I will try the activia as well. there is nothing as miserable as irregularity.

I love the activia yogurt and have recently found it in light which has 8 sugars per container.

I also take acidolphilus, but not regularly. You can now find it in most pharmacies or in wal-mart. They're usually by the Vitamins and minerals. Depending on the form you purchase, they should be refrigerated. These will help regulate your body whether you're having trouble with constipation or with diarrhea(spelling?). One other benefit of acidolphilus is that it will help with yeast infections. Some people can get yeast infections when they take antibiotics. Whenever I have to take antibiotics I also take acidolphilus. Don't mean to carry on, but it's been quite helpful for me.

I am glad to hear it comes in light, because I have looked at it in the store and felt it had too many sugars. I am not banded yet (waiting to hear from insurance) but I have had problems with constipation for years. I was disheartened to hear of the post op problems. I take a stool softener twice a day NOW, so any tips on things that help will be appreciated. If you are eating the Activia, would it hurt to take acidopholus too? Or should you do one or the other? I eat yogurt almost every day anyway, but have been doing the fat free variety. I guess I can afford a few extra calories if it helps relieve the feeling that you have a cork stuck you know where.:mad:

There's no problem with taking both acidolphilus and eating activia. In fact, it was recommended to me by a nurse practitioner who specializes in naturalpathic medicine and I also asked the same question to my lapband doctor.

I personally really like the cottage cheese. And I love the strawberry yogurt. Like the raspberry...just could go without the seeds!