YIKES!:smile2: Am I ever having a problem with constipation!

I even take stool softeners daily, they just make me gassy...

I don't think i's good to have to take laxitives weekly, is it? :confused2:

I can't stomach prunes either

I drink lots of water, not too much dairy...

There's times I need to concentrate on my Lamaze lessons from childbrith to get 'er done... if ya know what I mean...lol...:smile:

Any suggstions would be GREATLY appreciated!:thumbup:

mnilene

try metamucil. you can take it daily. buy it at the drug store or supermarket.

Benefiber is also good. You can put it in anything and not even know it's there.

Some warm decaf tea (or coffee) works great too... anything to help relax your GI a bit.

I know Benifiber is allowed with the band but is Metamucil?

I had to increase my Fiber. I usually have a small dish of some sort of fiber cereal---like a bran chex, or mini shredded wheats---as a snack while I sit here at the computer. It meets my need to snack and gives me some very needed fiber!!!

It won't work instantly, but it will work towards regularity.

Kat

Constipations is most often from inadequate fluids, not enough fiber and decreased physical activity. Keeping track of your liquid intake may be helpful to evaluate your intake. Try soft of pureed baby prunes. Taking a fiber supplement such as sugar free Metamucil, Metamucil bars, Citrucel or Benefiber is often necessary. Increase physical activity as tolerated. Wheat bran cereals might cause your tummy some distress.

Adding fiber (benefiber, and other like it) to my diet made me GASSY!

The FiberOne cereal bars are good. And Activia yogurt has been helping.

I think the KEY with adding fiber though, is to be sure you INCREASE your water intake - fiber is a bulking agent... and without more water in the bowel you will still be constipated, only with larger amounts of stool trapped! It's MISERABLE! (I'm a nurse and deal with backed up ppl all the time!)

Also.. no one wants to hear this... but exercise will stimulate the bowel... so when your stopped up, take your fiber, drink a glass of water, and go for a walk!

My gastroenterologist suggests small dosages of Miralax and building up to what works for regularity but does not cause diarriha. Miralax is now available over the counter.

I also suffer from constipation (much more than before the band). I know I am not getting enough Water, but to help 'move things along' I have started to mix milled flax seeds or wheatgerm into my Protein shakes. I hate the thought of taking meds daily and flax and wheatgerm have other benefits as well. I have also started sprinkling them on top of my cereal (oatmeal is the best) and a few other foods, it will all depend on your taste.

Milled flax seeds carry 22% protein and around 28% fiber. They also have a load of other benefits (Flax Seed Nutrients, Nutrients In Flax Seed, Flax Seed Nutritional Content)

Fiber, fiber, fiber... If all else fails, try a shot of Milk of Magnesia. Also, try doing some deep knee bends prior to trying to go to the bathroom. Exercise helps! And, when you are sitting on the toilet, have a bottle of bubbles sitting near you. Blow bubbles and, most likely, you will have gas and hopefully a good bowel movement. The same muscles that you use to blow the bubbles, help get things moving, as it were! (I had a kiddo at school years ago that had a terrible time going and the occupational therapists shared this with me... I'll never have a bathroom w/out bubbles again!! :Dancing_wub: ) GOOD LUCK!

Just thought I'd let you know about a new product i picked up this week ... All Bran Fiber Drink - it's a powder designed to be added to bottled water - I bought iced tea and each pouch has 10 g fiber. Tastes just like crystal lite or similar types of drink mix in.

I saw those AllBran drink things yesterday at walmart, but didn't pick them up. Let me know how they work for you.

Here's my miracle brew - works almost every day. This is my Breakfast each morning.

In a large mug

2 Tablespoons of Carnation Instant breakfast

1 Tablespoon of Benefiber (I buy the Vitamin fortified kind)

Fill with hot decaf and splash in some fat free creamer

Between the extra fiber and the hot drink - I'm all set. And the bonus - it keeps me full until lunchtime.

I have been adding Metamucil (unflavored) to my protein shakes. It has no flavor, and makes the shakes even thicker. I have had the same terrible problem as you. When I weighed in today at the doctors' office I told them that at least 5 pounds was from being constipated. She laughed at me. She said that she hears that all of the time. Good luck.

I had a problem with this for WEEKS after surgery. Even called my surgeon in tears. He recommended Milk of Magnesia to get things going initially. Worked like a charm and didn't give me the dreaded cramps. I can't do metamucil AT ALL. The gas it creates is worse than the constipation. Doc recommended 4 oz. of prune juice at bedtime, bump up my water intake and to eat three or four PEELED sections of a grapefruit daily. The pithy stuff around the grapefruit sections can give your band a little trouble, so be sure to peel them. This has made all the difference in the world for me. I no longer have problems with this. I don't even have to do the prune juice anymore. The grapefruit is a miracle food.