Hi Blair:
Glad you are doing so much better; it sounds like the difficulties you're experiencing are part of the recovery process. My GI doc recommended citrucel which is a megadose of fiber (one of the pleasures of aging is "irregularity" associated with travel
).
I have to say I read this thread backwards last night (most recent first) and thought the pain meds were having strange effects on some of the posters--Dr. Apostle! what a name for a shrink!
I didn't get to meet him when I saw Dr. Regan but I'd guess if you're going to proceed to surgery, he does get involved (which means I will meet him).
Hope everyday brings more progress for you, Blair!