Article: Eating Right - Avoiding Post-Op Constipation

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Article: Eating Right - Avoiding Post-Op Constipation
When I read the Post-Op board I often come across the subject of constipation, or how to avoid being constipated.

Somedays I feel like an expert in this area, constipation having been a fact of life for me for such a very long time

When I was recovering from my hyst, I not only had to deal with the possibility of constipation resulting from the anesthesia and reduced activity level, but also was under strict orders not to strain in order to "protect" the rectocele repair that had also taken place. Here's how I avoided constipation, even while taking iron pills:

1) Add natural fiber to your diet. I ate one serving of Raisin Bran or other high fiber cereals, every day; I would have one or two glasses of warmed prune juice; if needed, I would also have one serving of stewed prunes, warmed. Warming the prunes make them most effective. Don't overdo the fibers, though, since it can be counter-productive.

2) Stay away from laxatives, which can be habit forming, and opt for stool softeners. In fact, you should always check with your doctor before you take ANY meds so close after surgery.

3) Drink plenty of water and fruit juice. Stay away from carbonated drinks.

4) Walk as much as you can.

6) Avoid straining. Here's what I did to make this happen: whenever I felt a BM coming I would walk and drink warm water until it was ready to come out. I would then only have to sit and let it happen.

Hope this helps,
Dany

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I know nobody wants to hear this, but I found it to be true in my case as well... Chocolate can cause constipation.

But once you have constipation, one finds a break from chocolate can be a small price to pay. I never thought those words would be said by me!!!

Jenny
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Thanks for this great info Dany, I too have suffered with constipation most of my life, and recently had a really bad bout of it from taking high doses of calcium. I have added magnesium twice daily now and am doing much better.

My dad swore by heated prunes everyday. Is there anything you can add to prune juice I wonder to make it taste better?
I just can't get even a mouthful of that in me, and I know I should be drinking it.
Thanks again!!
M

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I'm with you, Maria! I hate prune juice! Fortunately, I really don't have trouble with constipation. But I did find some yummy orange-flavored prunes at the grocery, and they don't taste like prunes at all--more like raisins, but fresher. I wonder if adding orange flavoring to prune juice would work as well? I haven't ever tried it, but maybe it would work.

Jeanine

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Maria and Jeanine: The thought of even touching the taste of prunes has NEVER crossed my mind. I'm one of those nuts who actually LIKES prunes and prune juice. I like All Bran cereals too. In fact, I have to really watch myself and not overeat those delicious foods: wouldn't want to have diarrhea

Seriously, I will look around for prune or prune juice mixes. Another good fruit, BTW, is grapefruit. And, if you do not like grapefruits, there are several very good juice mixes with grapefruit as an ingrediant.

Dany

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Jeanine...orange flavoured prunes...I love that idea!!
I just can't tolerate the prune juice at all...I have tried it ice cold and warmed up, and room temp. and nope...just can't do it.

Dany, I think its great that you love prunes and prune juice, and I know it would be so good for me. Hmmm with this heatwave we are having....maybe I should try prune juice popscycles!!!! Perhaps mixed with orange or apple juice, hey.....who knows...I might just invent a new brand of popscycle...one that is tasty and good for ya too!!!
Hugs,
M.

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I have had constipation with bouts of loose bowels my whole life. It's in my family and so is colon cancer! My older girlfriends told me 5 years ago about these tricks. I swear by them and have passed the word since! Apricots! Eat 3 before bed! I also take codliver oil in gel caps, vitamin E, and Super Acidophilus by Twin Labs before bed. Since my surgery on June 6 for TAH/BSO for adeno and fibroids, this routine has helped. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, drink tons of Poland Springs water, and cranberry juice sips drinks in the little boxes. Walking helps too! My bowels aren't perfect, but I am going! Yipee!
Lesley Ann
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Now you're talkin Lesley Ann!! I could handle Apricots!! Do they have to be a certain kind, as in dried vs canned? I really like the dried fruit and nut trail mix which is also suppose to be very good for the bowels.
Thanks for sharing these great tips!!
M.

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I vote for one serving raisin bran and three ten ounce servings of juice each day. As well as a normal low fat, lots of green veggies and fruit diet. Works for me.
Best to you all.

Lolubu