UOAA Discussion Board

I had a non-mesh hernia repair a few weeks ago and have issues with my output. The consistency is soft to liquid but sometimes it seems to get stuck just before it passes thru my stoma and causes pressure. I manipulate it by either pressing down around my stoma or most times I have to actually apply squeezing pressure under the stoma to force output. My concern is if the squeezing could force a hernia? I’ve looked at Miralax, Benefiber but confused as to what I should take.....my surgeon says things should start moving thru better with healing but it’s very uncomfortable with the pressure of my output being stuck behind the stoma.

My gastro recommended a half cupful of Miralax per day

Starting with using Benefiber and if that doesn’t work will move on and try Miralax!

Jimbob wrote: 2020-03-22 09:21:21 My gastro recommended a half cupful of Miralax per day

Did you mean to say capful? A half a cupful is a lot. A half a capful isn’t much at all.

Chris Penna wrote: 2020-03-22 09:29:00 Starting with using Benefiber and if that doesn’t work will move on and try Miralax!

Any sort of bulking agent strikes me as a bad idea at this point, based on my experience. Miralax does not bulk the stool. It thins it. Bulking the stool means harder work for the intestines. It seems to me that eating low fiber, low residue and keeping the output thin is a good way to help the bowel recover.

And hydrate. Try hot water with lemon or tea without caffeine. MAYBE decaf coffee but if you use dairy products, milk or cream could be hard to digest. After surgery, a nurse once heated up prune juice. I sipped it through the night. In the morning, it worked. But don't drink too much of it. Hope these tips work! If not, try to see a doctor. You don't want to risk a blockage. Good luck!