Constipation?

How long before normal bowel function-w/o aid of stool softerners? Also, I still have little or no appetite @ 7 weeks.
Thankful for any advice-TVH 11-09-04

I became pretty regular at the 2 week mark. Actually, it's interesting...for 40 plus years, I would go maybe once or twice a week. Doctors always said this was ok because that's what my body wants to do. After my surgery, I'm everyday, 11 AM on the dot!
Are you still taking stool softeners at 7 weeks? Maybe your body is becoming dependant on them. Eat lots of fruit, grain cereals and veggies. You won't need the stool softeners anymore.

This was the only difficult part of recovery for me. It took 2 months for me to "go" without difficulty--almost to the day! I had to resort to Milk of Magnesia (non-stimulant) once a week to get things moving and clean me out, then stool softners--4 per day--and lots of water. Be careful--getting TOO much of some kinds of fiber can have the opposite effect.

It took me a couple of weeks to be able to have a normal, pain-free movement.

I drank LOTS of water continuously, walked a fair bit during the day and drank prune juice.

I tool Magnolax for the first three or four days to get things moving. After I was able to go, I weaned myself off the laxative and incorporated more natural fiber into my diet.

Good luck.

Sarah