Bowel Issues--Benefiber? Magnesium? Colace? What worked best for you LONG TERM?

Okay, I'll admit that my other point of hesitation about Benefiber (and the Walmart generic of same) is that I have a hard time believing that you really can't taste it!  Can you taste it in your coffee?  Have you tried it in anything else? The vegetable laxatives...  What are they?  I really don't want to use anything that is described as a laxative...  But, I'm curious! I certainly don't want anything that will cause more gas as was said about the Metamucil wafers...  I guess a bit of gas is a good thing and indicates that things are moving along down there, but more than just a bit is not needed!  LOL  I had thought about the Metamucil powder but wondered what the difference was between those and the Benefiber...  Anyone know? Lea

I put it in coffe and light orange juice. I can't taste it.

Long term:  fiber, fiber, fiber.  Neither my husband nor I, both in our late 50's have had a day of constipation in 25 years.  At least 5 out of 7 days a week we start breakfast with oatmeal.  Yes, it gets boring, but iti's worth it.  I work hard to make sure we incorporate lots of fruits and vegies.  I also use a lot of whole grains (very inexpensive, interesting and delicious).  Beans another excellent fiber source (not baked beans which have too many extra calories in them).  I ate a lot of beans in the early months, but didn't graduate back to oatmeal until about 5-6 months postop.  And don't forget about Lots of water and good old walking. Here's how I prepare oatmeal. It's so much better than instant or mushy stuff.  This has a lot  of texture and flavor and the technique washes away a lot of the extra carbs. At least 4 cups lightly salted water; bring to a boil. At the same time, start a kettle of water boiling. To the boiling water, add about 2/3 cup WHOLE ROLLED OATS (very inexpensive in bulk). Don't buy the Quaker rolled oats; they just aren't quite as good). Boil for one to two minutes (we prefer one for more chewiness). Strainer through a colander. Immediately pour the boiling kettle water over the oats. Serve wit warmed skim milk and sweetener, as desired.

An old reliable remedy for constipation is a cup of extremely Hot Tea followed immediately by something extremely cold like a sugar free popsicle. It is the equivalent of starting a thunderstorm in your belly. DO NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE UNTIL YOU HAVE GONE AFTER DOING THIS. YOU WILL EMBARRASS YOURSELF. WHEN YOU OPEN UP IT WILL BE EXTREMELY QUICK AND VOLUMOUS.

Hi I eat a bowl of oatmeal every am w/ a scoop of protein delight vanilla very berry so I kill 2 birds... I am always regular with this.  I sure know when I miss a day.  Lesa

I am the queen of constipation. I've tried it all. To be honest Benefiber gave me gas and just stopped me up. I was also taking 3 colace a day that did nothing. I drink plenty of water and exercise. But I still suffer from extreme constipation. I was just put on Mirolax. Yep. It has been the only thing that keeps me going. I am now 11 weeks post op and have started in the last two weeks to incorporate fruits and vegetables (not raw). So my doctor is hoping this will help. I too am working on a way to alieve the constipation. I was just told by my surgeon that he hears more complaints about contsipation than anything else. So we know its a problem.  Keep searching for something that works. That is what I am working on.  I wish you the best Pam