hey all its me have a ?

hey ummmmmm i hate to say this but im having problems going potty what do you all take to help you go easyier ? its not that i dont go just some times its very hard to go i get pains like i have to go but nothing again sorry for the ickkkyyyy ? thanks lisa

i use twice a day the sugar free orange flavored dollar general there brand not metamucil $3.00 also there is other brands to choose from.

I dont have the problem but have heard this discussed at my support meetings and other forums... MANY suggest the herbal tea called SMOOTH MOVE available in GNC... good luck lisa

CONSTIPATION Constipation can be from so many things including BUT not limited to: ~1) FLUIDS: simply from not getting in enough fluids... So first before you do anything ask yourself? Am I drinking at least 64 oz a day (8 cups)...If not try increasing and see if this helps. Look at this neat hydration calculator! It may open your eyes! It says I need 117.5 oz day (I do get that too still not enough for me!) http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm ~2) EXERCISE: Get moving! I do 30-60 min cardio a day + wts. Yes it helps! Start somewhere! Something is better than nothing! ~3) FIBER: We get constipated because our diet is now volume in general & lower in fiber especially due to lack of tolerance also (less fruits and veggies). So many try increasing fiber by using benefiber (non swelling/no taste) or some like liquifiber at Vitalady: http://tinyurl.com/5edxn I have used Metamucil caps in past but I DO NOT RECOMMEND it is a SWELLING FIBER & may NOT be good for pouchie! ***We do not want to stretch it!!! I swear by Flax Seed ground. I get mine here: http://www24.netrition.com/now_flaxseeds_page.html I started with 1T ground a day (in yogurt, shakes or on my salad it has slightly nutty flavor) now I am up to 1T three times a day. The benefits of flax are so much more than just for fiber!!! Read for more info! http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/flaxnut10.htm (A lower risk for heart disease, Prevention of some forms of cancer, Treatment of immune disorders, Diabetes helps in stabilizing Blood Sugars, Relief from constipation) http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/faq.htm You can also buy it in GNC, health food stores, Wal-Mart has it in vitamin aisle and baking aisle. KEEP refrigerated for longest shelf life and so it doesn't go rancid! It has to be ground (bought that way or ground in Magic Bullet or a small coffee grinder for the benefit ok!) ~4) OTHER NUTRITIONAL/SUPPLIMENT CAUSES: Higher protein (in diet and shakes), Calcium Citrate (form we need to absorb after bypass), Iron supplementation can all add to the constipation scenario postop (things we need!). Different forms of Iron are more constipating than others (Ferrous sulfate for instance AVOID!!! Many feel carbonyl iron like vitalady's tender iron http://tinyurl.com/3ve5x , ferrous gluconate *I get OTC at Wal-Mart just ask pharmacist, ferrous fumarate, polysaccharide iron are less constipating). Another solution Magnesium: HERE IS JULIA Z's recommendation: Magnesium as magnesium citrate or amino acid chelate 400-1000 mg a day. OK to take with calcium but not with iron. Can be taken all at once or throughout the day. Start out with 200 mg and increase dosage every few days until the desired level is reached; decrease dosage slightly if loose stools result. Preferred dosage is 1 part elemental magnesium to 2 parts elemental calcium or 1000 mg magnesium to 2000 mg calcium, but this ratio is not accurate for each person. Increasing the dosage until you get loose stool and than backing off a little seems to work best for most people. IF still NO GO: my surgeon recommended Colace. It is an over-the-counter stool softener. Try it once a day and increase to 2-3x if needed. (It is cheap too, buy the generic brand, docusate sodium)... If this is ineffective, my surgeon said I could use a gentle suppository (such as glycerin, ducolax or the generic form)....only to get things going, they can get habit forming so be careful. It is always best to ask your surgeon or MD about his but this is what I have been told. I use Colace 2x a day, it does help (with my flaxseed) I also have used Milk OF Magnesia a few times week if needed. My Clinical Nutrition/Bariatric MD prescribed Miralax (generic is glycolax) works great also (I used a few times in sever cases w/ some bloating but no taste!, it is a powder mixes in water great!) They say can be used long-term! (BUT I am cheap rather find a non prescription way!) Many swear by Smooth move tea, it is just senna in a tea (you can buy senna tabs OTC also called SENOKOT Tablets: Each tablet contains 8.6 mg sennosides.). Or ingredient in: PERI-COLACE® TABLETS (Purdue Products) docusate sodium and standardized senna concentrate (so is a stool softener and laxative in one!) http://www.tealand.com/SmoothMove.asp BY: Traditional Medicines in Health food, Wal-Mart of many health food aisles of grocery stores! Contents: Active Ingredient: 20mg. Sennosides A & B per cup from senna leaf. Other herbal ingredients: Licorice root, fennel seed, orange peel, cinnamon bark, coriander seed, ginger rhizome, natural orange flavor. Directions for use: Pour 8 oz. of boiling water over one tea bag and steep, covered, for 10-15 minutes. Adults and children over 12 years: Drink 1 cup before bedtime. If necessary, repeat the next day not to exceed 4 cups in 24 hours. A few prunes (3) also have helped me in a pinch...few times a week (watch cal/carbs)...Some gain w/ carbs/sugar or get triggered hunger! It has been ok w/ me as it is seen as medicine and used accordingly! Just my thoughts/ideas! I do Exercise/Water/Colace 2 day/Flaxseed 3T total a day and it generally is ok, only needing MOM 1x week or 3 prunes 1-2x week! J Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Natural Fruit Laxative taken from the Smartbandsters List Natural Food Laxative 1 whole apple with skin (cut up, but do not core) 1 whole orange (cut up, but do not peel) 8 whole seedless prunes 1/3 cup raisens 1/3 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon honey Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and thick enough to spoon. If ingredients are too thick, add a little more orange juice to the mixture. Take 1-2 tablespoon one to four times a day for constipation. Kristine ::begging hubby to buy me a Magic Bullet Blender so I can make this::

Kristine, Thank you for the recipe, I JUST WANT TO WARN any RNY GASTRIC Bypassers that although bandsters may find this great, we may find this can cause HORRIBLE DUMPING! The sugar content is VERY HIGH so just a word of caution! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Lisa, Hun I would add the flax seed, I just love that stuff. I missed it this week since we were moving and I had such bad potty problems that I had to use my Glycolax again but started back on the seeds today, having to start lower again and adding as I go. Take care and I wish you the best ~hugs~ Debra P