:) Hey Bananarama,

You may have figured things out by now as your last post was in May. But if not, I would suggest taking Miralax (at grocery stores or drugstores). Take that for 3 nights. By then it should start working. If the bowel movements come a lot softer, you will be able to reduce some anxiety by expelling the body's toxins in a less painful manner.

I have heard that a lot of people get constipated after surgery and their bowels become a little sluggish. Then the bowel has to be retrained to go. That happens by finding a comfortable time each day to try to sit on the toilet (not for longer than 10 minutes though). You should go into the bathroom as soon as you feel any urge to go. It helps to elevate your feet slightly. For instance, I've tried putting each foot up on a roll of toilet paper.

Stress affects the bowels and so many people have bowel symptoms and whether they realize it or not, it causes anxiety because it is such a scary thing and kind of taboo as dinner conversation to just casually ask your friends!

Hopefully, you have already straightened it out and you don't need any of this information.

[COLOR="Navy"]Miralax takes about three days to start working. If you take it every day, you will notice a big improvement. Drive plenty of water to help with the bowel movement. You need to have extra fluid in your system to keep your stools soft.

Another thing that I bet they didn't mention to you was that the pain meds that they gave you are extremely constipating. You need to take extra fiber Miralax) and drink extra fluids to help counter act the meds.

Your stools were dark because of the meds and being in your body so long. The mucous was just parat of the normal part of your body discharge. Keep up with the fiber and liquids and you'll be better soon.

Thanks guys! Luckily I don't have as bad of problems as I did back in May, although I am still on pain meds, as I have had kidney stones, and now I have a major back problem that I am going to Mayo about. I do get constipated a lot, so thanks for the advice. Does the Miralax do anything bad with anemia, as I just found out that I am anemic, and I was just put on a few different meds. Thanks for the advice!
Daisy