Natural Stool Softener (maybe TMI)

OK, I haven't had the VSG yet but I have changed my eating habits. I used to be quite regular, going once or twice a day. Now I go once every other day. I sometimes feel constipated and only a small amount comes out. Is there any natural stool softener I can take to help this? I was thinking I'd buy some prunes and eat a couple of those a day, but I don't want all the sugar.

Something like Benefiber or Alpine Tea should do the trick.  Benefiber is a powder that will dissolve in any hot or cold liquid; it's tasteless, colourless, and not gritty or detectable in any way, but it delivers a few grams of dietary fiber per teaspoonful.  I've not tried Alpine Tea but I'm told it's very effective.  Benefiber worked a treat for me post surgery.

Pre op you can also increase your intake of fiber by eating more veggies and bran, but you won't be able to do that post op.

Thanks so much Fran. I will try the Benefiber.

Good on ya for getting your eating habits changed pre op, and congrats on the substantial weight loss you've already accomplished! 

Eating mainly protein does end up causing major constipoopies, so getting that sorted now will stand you in very good stead when you're about six weeks post op.  You do NOT want to get to the stage of having a petrified poo python stuck in your colon!  (Why, yes, I do speak from experience!  If all else fails, buy laxative suppositories.)

Fiber is the likely culprit.  Track your food on myfitnesspal and try to get at least 25 grams of fiber a day.  Personally, I need to keep it at 35 so there could be some varience. 

My surgeon suggested two tbsp of mineral oil daily as it is all natural.  It works great unless I'm compacted.

Benefiber does the trick for me. I add it to my morning shake when I need it. 

How much water are you drinking?  The amount of water you drink each day makes a big difference.

I'm 6 months out and have yet to take any kind of stool softener or laxative agent.  I go pretty regularly and it's because I drink close to 128 oz of water daily.

Thanks guys for the info. themexcellentone, I drink 67.6 oz of water a day minimum. That's about all I can get down.

The amount of water I drink has no effect at all on my regularity.  I actually have been finding lately that I go more often if I'm drinking less.

Jane