Tell me the story of prunes... please tell me it's a happy ending
is Monica M.
This may help (From the St. Joe's Handbook)
Constipation
Your stool may be soft at first as you are not eating solid food. Some people have stool that is hard to pass. This is called constipation.
Constipation may be caused by:
• eating less fibre because you are eating less food
• not drinking enough fluids during the day
• pain control medications such as Tylenol #3
• medications and supplements such as iron and calcium
It is normal to have from 1 bowel movement every 3 days to 3 bowel movements of soft stool daily.
To help your bowels stay soft and move, your fluid intake needs to be at least 2.0 litres (8 cups) a day and you need to have regular physical activity.
If you have not had a soft bowel movement after 2 days start adding 120 ml (1/2 cup) of prune juice to your meal plan. After having the prune juice, drink warm water, decaffeinated coffee or tea. You can do this 1 to 2 times a day to help. Remember that prune juice adds extra calories to your diet plan so be sure to count this and avoid other types of juice if drinking prune juice.
If you still have constipation or pain when you have a bowel movement your dietitian may want you to add a 100% inulin fibre supplement such as Benefibre, Metamucil Simply Clear or equivalent generic product.
Start by adding a small amount in your diet such as 5 ml (1 teaspoon) daily and increase slowly 5 to 10 ml (1 to 2 teaspoons) 1 to 2 times a day until your stool is soft and your bowels move every 1 to 3 days. Increasing too fast will cause an increase in gas and can cause problems and pain.
You should not use a fibre supplement such as Benefibre if you are not drinking 2 litres (8 cups) of fluid a day. This amount of water is needed to make the fibre supplement work. If you cannot drink 2 litres of fluid a day and take a fibre supplement you may become more constipated.
If you have not had a bowel movement after 3 to 4 days you can talk to your pharmacist about adding a product such as colace, senokot or milk of magnesia. Your pharmacist can counsel you on the dose to start with and how to take this type of product.
If you do not have a soft bowel movement for 4 or more days, contact the Bariatric Clinic.
Constipation
Your stool may be soft at first as you are not eating solid food. Some people have stool that is hard to pass. This is called constipation.
Constipation may be caused by:
• eating less fibre because you are eating less food
• not drinking enough fluids during the day
• pain control medications such as Tylenol #3
• medications and supplements such as iron and calcium
It is normal to have from 1 bowel movement every 3 days to 3 bowel movements of soft stool daily.
To help your bowels stay soft and move, your fluid intake needs to be at least 2.0 litres (8 cups) a day and you need to have regular physical activity.
If you have not had a soft bowel movement after 2 days start adding 120 ml (1/2 cup) of prune juice to your meal plan. After having the prune juice, drink warm water, decaffeinated coffee or tea. You can do this 1 to 2 times a day to help. Remember that prune juice adds extra calories to your diet plan so be sure to count this and avoid other types of juice if drinking prune juice.
If you still have constipation or pain when you have a bowel movement your dietitian may want you to add a 100% inulin fibre supplement such as Benefibre, Metamucil Simply Clear or equivalent generic product.
Start by adding a small amount in your diet such as 5 ml (1 teaspoon) daily and increase slowly 5 to 10 ml (1 to 2 teaspoons) 1 to 2 times a day until your stool is soft and your bowels move every 1 to 3 days. Increasing too fast will cause an increase in gas and can cause problems and pain.
You should not use a fibre supplement such as Benefibre if you are not drinking 2 litres (8 cups) of fluid a day. This amount of water is needed to make the fibre supplement work. If you cannot drink 2 litres of fluid a day and take a fibre supplement you may become more constipated.
If you have not had a bowel movement after 3 to 4 days you can talk to your pharmacist about adding a product such as colace, senokot or milk of magnesia. Your pharmacist can counsel you on the dose to start with and how to take this type of product.
If you do not have a soft bowel movement for 4 or more days, contact the Bariatric Clinic.
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on 8/2/12 6:22 am - Straford, Canada
on 8/2/12 6:22 am - Straford, Canada
Can't say about the prunes but a few Tablespoons of psyllium fibre (which you can buy at bulk barn cheap) with a glass of water first thing in the AM is grand! Psyllium is what makes most of the "fibre drugs" like metameucil work, go to the source and skip the advertising and unneccessary additional ingredients. (my opinion). The more water you drink around the psyllium the more effective it will be. Regards, Ian 
JJ_
on 8/2/12 6:31 am
on 8/2/12 6:31 am
I have approximately 5 regular prunes or 7 bite size prunes (serving size) in the evening as a snack.
My issue was that things were toooo, umm, hard. I wanted to go, all signs were there. I was able to go with much straining. The prunes were all I needed to keep the flow going.
I kept up with the 2 litres of fluids daily.
Judy
My issue was that things were toooo, umm, hard. I wanted to go, all signs were there. I was able to go with much straining. The prunes were all I needed to keep the flow going.
I kept up with the 2 litres of fluids daily.
Judy
I took a senekot which is a bowel stimulant and worked just fine - plus I felt extra peppy!
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I have had IBS for years and started eating probiotic yoghurt. I also tried getting in more fiber using over the counter products mentioned here. I have been taking a probiotic capsule for about 2 years now, every day, and have had great success with it, as in no issues. Have travelled south in the wintr and usually end up with issues due to sun, heat and probably cheap rum! I hopefully can use the same one only I will break open the capsule. I have purchased some senokot and MOM for pos-op issues if needed. Best of luck.
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