hi hugh,
i am sorry you had a very difficult time with having your first stool. i would guess it must have been difficult since you haven't had an elimination since 12/27.
some of it must have been psychological - as i am sure there was some fear component in relieving yourself due to the surgery.
and the other part, well, not eliminating on a daily basis, kinda makes your fecal matter a bit harder because it just sits there and doesn't get the advantage of being moist/hydrated as it comes down fresh from the colon into the rectum.
i am not sure if you meant to imply that your first bowel movement was very painful or simply just super stressful.
anyway, i am happy that you got the stuff out! now try to keep on a schedule, listen to your body when it is ready to eliminate and perhaps you should really try - if you haven't already - to go back to squatting over the toilet. this has done wonders for me actually!!! fistula for me though is still present!!!! but i don't have that horrific fissure discomfort afterwards.
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like cheryl said, having some scrumptions prunes (you can get them at whole foods or healthy stores as you want them close to organic or with as few preservatives as possible). also, not sure if you are drinking/eating dairy, but i would let that go for now. if you can, try soy milk or rice milk - trust me it's not bad and actually soooo yummy!!!! i no longer drink milk and try to say away from cheese, yogurt, and butter.
the other item that will come in handy for you is Kellogg's All Bran Bran Buds. The bran buds have the highest amount of fiber per 1/3 cup serving - a whopping 13 g....so if you have 1 cup of bran buds with some soy milk in the morning, you get a nice 39 g of fiber for your day.....
keep drinking lots of water to keep hydrated and to keep the stool softners working. however, you'll be at a disadvantage of the stool softner if you are not eliminating on a daily basis as one the stool gets in to the rectum, it dries up as it just sits there.....
lots of fruits and veggies, lentils, hummus, beans......and whole grains.
try to avoid stuff that is refined, filled with preservatives or anything that has partially hydrogenated "fill in" anything...right now the more fresh, more healthy fiber, you can get in, the better for you.
we are all here holding your hand buddy!!!!
keep up the good work....
yes, i remember giving birth one day - that was the day my fissure was born. he was born mid-august 2004!!!!!!
happy new year btw......i'll keep my prayers for your speedy recovery.