Avoiding constipation, advise a n00b

 Sorry about the deleted message... I found that I'd replied in the wrong spot!  Oops! :)

I had extremely loose stools for a year and a half, post-op.  Now, at 6+ years post-op, I take 2 stool softeners a day and have a bowel movement every other day.

I really did not have any problems with constipation... well, not until about  8 months ago when I started taking Vicodin for days when the Tramadol I had been taking (for severe arthritis in my one knee) wasn't helping enough and for when the mysterious intermittent belly pain pops up... and ALL of the opiates can cause constipation.  So mine isn't really from the surgery, it's from the pain meds, and it is usually pretty mild. I just take Benefiber once a day and that eliminated the problem entirely.

I think it helps that most of fruits and veggies that I eat are higher in fiber than some other fruits and veggies (broccoli, beans, carrots, avocado, apples, berries, bananas, pears).

Lora

I get constipated all the time and I take a teaspoon of castor oil and voilla 30 minutes later all is good