This is not for the squeamish!

Hey all...This may be TMI so quit while you can...

OK, <breathing> I am so afraid of having constipation during any part of the journey.  I struggle with hemorrhoids occasionally that puts me down up to 4 days.  If I can keep my diet with enough fiber and water, exercise and less stress, then it is under control.

Do you all know if there are daily recommendations for some kind of extra fiber being added?

I'm sorry if this is TMI, but it just hurts too much and I want to do what I can to prevent it!

Thanks for your input

I don't have a great answer but I would say call your clinic and ask what they recommend. You could maybe try that flavored fiber powder that can be put in a water bottle. Good luck, hope you find some answers

I posted this last year...I hope it helps.

Post Date: 12/25/08 6:43 am
Many of us spend an inordinate amount of time praying to the poop gods for blessed relief from the bricks stuck inside us.  A couple of months ago I ran across a protein fiber bar recipe on a bodybuilding site and decided to adapt it for my own purposes.  I use this as a meal replacement.  I am a regular guy again when I have one of these every day.

3 cups dry old fashioned oatmeal
4 scoops vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup bran
1/4 cup golden flax seeds
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (I have used PB2, but the bars don't stick together too well)

optional:

1/4 cup sesame seeds (Penzeys sells these in one lb bags for a reasonable price)
1/4 cup almonds and/or sunflower seeds
1/4 cup millet

mix together the dry ingredients first
add milk and PB, stir for two minutes
spread mixture out in 9 x 13 pan
sprinkle with Splenda
refrigerate
divide into 8 (you could adjust this too)

approx 325 calories/bar (more if you add nuts)
14 grams protein
10+ grams fiber

Teresa,

I'm 22 months out and am still having problems with constipation....My Doctor prescribed me Amitzia, it's for irritable bowel.....

I also chew Benefiber....

Kelly

All really wonderful suggestions.  I printed off the recipe...it's worth it if it makes you ..."happy"...

Thank you all so very much for sharing about this. 

hi sweetie,  I use Miralax everyday and I am no longer constipated.  I have always had problems with that even before surgery.  My Dr. Said it is so safe too use......... Hope it helps...........

Put this in your poop file too.  Miralax.  It's over the counter, very gentle, can be used every day if needed per a gastro dr's advice.  One scoop in some liquid and it disappears and doesn't get thick or icky.  It's not a fiber supplement, but if you get in trouble or think you might get in trouble...it's a great option to keep in mind.

I'm an old old timer who has dealt with constipation ever since surgery and it's been my lifesaver.  I use it daily.

Good Luck!

I agree with the above posters, Miralax is a gift from the poop gods. I used it for the first 9 months. Haven't had a problem since but during that time, I swore by the stuff.

I chew a couple sugar free Fiber Choice tablets two to three times each day, take probiotics and drink plenty of water or flavored water.  I also mix Kashi Go Lean in my Greek yogurt a few times each week and eat lots of black beans.  I rarely have problems.

I take one Docusate (generic) daily per my surgeon - it's simply a stool softener and he said I'll pretty much probably be on it for life, because I also had constipation issues prior to RNY surgery. It's not a stimulant or anything so he said its perfectly safe to take daily.

A little while back I had a TERRIBLE constipation episode.. the pain got so bad at work (I work at Abbott) that I almost walked over to the ER.  Some Milk of Mag helped with that and once I got on the Docusate regimen, everything has gone smoothly.. literally ...  

So thats what works for me!