OK...I was always regular before the surgery but now nothing and way more difficult to move out. It is like little bricks and pretty painful!

I drink 40-70 oz of Water but doesn't seem to help. So I called my Dr last week and they advised to take dulcolax at night before bed. Which I did and have been for the last week! The following morning I would go several times and get it all out.

Today I woke up at 3:30am with horrible pains in my tummy and then the flood gates opened! All day today my tummy is killing me and I have finally stopped going early afternoon but I am still crampy. Even now at 7:30 at night!

So I spoke to my Dr's office and it turns out I have been taking the wrong thing. I was taking a "gentle" laxative when i should have been taking the stool softener! DOH She said just get the water in because I am probably dehydrated at this point, uuuggghhh!

Does anyone have severe constipation and able to eventually correct it? I am scared I screwed something up inside since I am still hurting and of course now can't go anymore and feel like I have to! I guess tonight I just take the softener and hope these cramps go away?

Anyone have any advise?

Banded 08/31

What kind of stool softener does anyone use? I did my presugery shopping & got the colace generic. When I opened the bottle it's got a gel on half of it. Dont think it can be crushed or split in half.

whyw8-I take the little gel caps and have no problem thus far but I have no restriction yet. I buy them at Costco which seems to be most cost efficient. Good luck!

tke-thanks for the help :wink2: I LOVE Costco

mbranham0306 - Do you have relief now? I found the balance with 2 softeners nightly and eating Wheat Thins Fiber Selects everyday! They are really tasty too so easy to eat!

I just discovered a PROBIOTIC CHEESE. Its made by DCI Cheese Co, their County Line brand, and comes in several flavors. The package claims that you should see results after having 1 oz for at least 14 days. I tried the Pepper Jack. Each oz has 100 calories, 8g protein, 8 g fat, 0 carb. I've only had it for 4 days, so too soon to tell if it works. But I like the taste, and its an easy way to get in my protein. I've been having 2 oz a day, either in an omlette or with a piece of fruit.

I find that one ounce of Fiber One cereal everyday really helps. Plus I take vitamins with extra Magnesium. I find that I am not drinking as much water as I used to so it is difficult to stay regular.:wink2:

Every week I make a massive amount of vegetable soup. Add all different colour vegies, add low sodium chicken stock to taste and use a hand blender when cooked. I have 2 - 4 cups a day. That way you get extra vegies in, its a great snack and it keeps you regular.

I also blend frozen fruits with yogurt, its just like soft serve ice cream.

I take the generic colace (1/2 gel tab 1/2 regular tab) without any problems. They are small enough to swallow even after 2 fills.