Question:
How do you make up for lack of fiber?

I know that we are suosed to avoid fibrous foods, but when I do that I cannot go ot he bathroom. We all know how horrible that feeling is. I want some ideas on how to make having a BM easier without eating fibrous food. Please helpe me!!!!    — cau_lady (posted on January 7, 2008)

January 6, 2008
Go to the drugstore or the supermarket and look for Fibersure or one of the other numerous "add-fiber-to-your-diet" products which are tasteless and dissolve in water. Put a couple of tablespoons of the stuff in Crystal Light or applesauce or cottage cheese, and voila! no more constipation. Hope this helps you! Flora
   — MusigalF

January 6, 2008
You need some fibrous foods to help you from being constipated, as well as drinking enough water. I'm 18 months post op, and I have a bowl of oatmeal every morning. That's almost all fiber. Take stool softeners daily will help, and taking a mild laxative a couple of times each week may help also.
   — Dave Chambers

January 6, 2008
I found a tasteless liquid fiber at WalMart. It is kinda expensive (about $12.00) but it works. You can add it to any drink during the day. (It really is tasteless) I add 1 oz. which I think is about 11 g of fiber. Also Senocot stool softner helps. I have some of your problems also (1 mo out today) and have found these things help. CGarber
   — Caroline Garber

January 6, 2008
My doctor recommends Benefiber daily.
   — ladonna08

January 6, 2008
I take Benefiber caplets. Works wonders.
   — MCraig3

January 7, 2008
I take Benefiber once a day - works well for me. I also eat items (food) hi in fiber. How far out R U? What procedure did you have done? I had LAP RNY and around week 6 started to eat "real foods". I eat oatmeal, wheat toast w/peanut butter, veggies/fruits, and get plenty of water and now - I don't have to take the benefiber, as I get all I need from my food. Good luck
   — jammerz

January 7, 2008
i found a herbal laxative caffeine free tea that you drink before bed time i just used it for the first time saturday night and let me tell you i was woken up the next morning i was down 2lbs lol sorry i had to say that but the tea actually worked i asked my surgeon today if it was safe and he said yes so hurray! no more prune juice or dried up prunes to eat they din't work anyway. so you could give the tea a try you only need to drink one cup b4 bed it might work with your discomfort good luck to ya Lyne
   — lyne R.

January 7, 2008
try adding some REAL BUTTER or healthy oil like olive oil, you might say it greases things.
   — bob-haller

January 7, 2008
I use two dulcolax stool softeners each night for now. Once I am farther out (I'm at 8 weeks) and can do more for fiber I will discontinue this. But for right now, this is what works for me.
   — Shirley D.

January 7, 2008
Mineral oil. Just a tsp. and things will work softly and naturally and you won't need another dose for a few days at least.
   — premenewme

January 7, 2008
Nicole, I use Colace one tablet at night and Two tablets of Sugar free Fiber Choice. You can purchase them over the counter. Barbara
   — gabluecrab

January 7, 2008
"... avoid fibrous foods." (???) That's a new one on me. Why?Just chew, chew, chew!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 7, 2008
who told you to stay away from 'fibrous foods'?? was that on the recomendation of your surgeon or Nut?? we are told to have at least 39 grams of fiber a day -- from food -- we should get all our nutrition from food -- no protein shakes or anything -- just good food -- but that is our surgical team we also take 2 ducolax a day with our vitamins which is recommended also good luck
   — RCassety

January 8, 2008
Kashi cereals are loaded with fiber and protein. I mix that with Blue Bunny yogurt and the two combined have 10g fiber and 17g of protein.
   — tazthewiz23

January 8, 2008
Are you having some kind of problem that requires you to not eat fiber? I don't think that fiber restriction is required once you are out of the immediate post-op period. You might want to talk to your doctor on that one. I try to get most of my fiber from vegetables and occasionally whole grains. I also use Benefiber and FiberOne to add more. But BeneFiber and FiberOne are both fiber so if you can't eat fiber that probably isn't going to work. Non-fiber things that help prevent/treat constipation: exercise, hydration, stool softners (colace is great), and laxatives. Stimulant laxatives like Dulcolax and Senecot (or anything with Senna--this is usually what is in constipation "teas") may cause cramping and are recommended for short term use only. I use over-the-counter Miralax. It's powder that you add to 4-8oz of water or other beverage. It has no taste and once it is mixed in you can't even tell it's in there. My GI doctor told me it is safe for long term use. It isn't absorbed by the body so for most people there are no side effects. You may want to talk to your doctor/nutritionist about this. If you have had WLS recently, the doctor may prefer that you use one method over another. Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee

January 8, 2008
I too was told to avoid fiber in the first months. I was recommended to drink more and increase my protein if constipated, which I did, and helped.
   — MargaritaRM

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