In my experience as a master yoga therapist, I can pretty much assure you that the so-called health benefits of colon cleanses are based on the antiquated notion that the colon was simply a sewer that carried post-digestive sludge to the rectum. Barring some physical anomaly such as a tumor or that noted by karen_b above, there is no buildup in the colon; its walls are porous and continually extract nutrient-bearing moisture from the digested food, the remaining solids then being moved along via peristalsis. Were such a buildup to occur, the result would be far more perilous than the symptoms usually listed to support the need for such a cleansing. Often, IBS and chronic dyspepsia can be effectively treated by fasting -- giving the digestive system a rest by ingesting only liquids. If the symptoms are still recurring after three days, the first possibility which must be ruled out is disease -- everything from malignancy to microbial colitis. One of my clients had suffered from chronic attacks of severe cramps and diarrhea for ten years and had subjected himself to every sort of "naturalistic cure" without result. After a few days of inpatient tests, a culture finally revealed Klebsiella colitis caused by an overabundance of a microbe common to the colon, and a simple antibiotic treatment effected a complete cure. Had a cleansing treatment such as a high colonic caused even a minute breach of his colon and enabled Klebsiella bacteria to escape into the abdomen, serious infection would have almost certainly ensued. Hope this helps.

Hi everyone. I thought I would stop in and share what has helped me. I had my Gallbladder removed Via single incision lappy about a month ago. my surgeon told me to stay away from spicy or fatty foods for a week and then after that I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted. I listened and as soon as that week was up I went for it! I was on a pretty much zero fat diet for a year due to horrible attacks almost nightly...So I was ready! I handled the food fine. They only thing I noticed at first was that I was rather constipated after the surgery ( I was always very regular) and also that I kept getting really bloated (couldn't even button my jeans) and I would get really bad gas pains. This was happening nightly since my surgery. The bloating and gas would wake me up in the middle of the night, I was so uncomfortable. I have had steak twice since surgery and both times I have had extreme gas pains that almost felt worse than my gallbladder attacks! Anyways, after some extensive web searching I found a couple of sites that said I should try digestive enzymes. Apparently since we no longer have gallbladders it is harder for us to digest proteins and fats...and just about everything. So after reading some reviews I went to GNC and bought their "Super digestive Enzymes." It was the best 14 dollars I have ever spent. I take one after breakfast, one after lunch and two after dinner. I have been taking them for a week now and I feel COMPLETELY better. after the second night I haven't had any gas pains or bloating. Last night I put it to the test and my husband made Pork chops, Cesar salad and baked potatoes with a ton of cheese and sour cream. I slept like a baby, no gas no bloating. If you are still having problems I suggest giving it a try. also I find it really irresponsible that Surgeons don't tell us how not having a gallbladder will affect our digestion. They make it sound like we will be 100% better after surgery. However, I am grateful I don't have attacks anymore...and I am VERY grateful I don't have to spend 300 dollars for an ER visit anymore! : ) Good luck everyone!

Well since my kitchen is totally done as far as all the big ticket items are concerned, there wasn't any danger whatsoever of my falling off the edge into some kind of temporary insane buying binge. Instead, I got a lot of pleasure in just seeing so many products that are discussed with regularity here on the KF and AF but that I've never seen before IRL. As a result, there were many aha moments in finally feeling and touching a Capital Culinarian, an Aga Pro, a Wolf 36" oven (displayed undercounter)Crown Point cabs or Grothouse counter tops. I also got immense pleasure from talking to some of the reps of products in my own kitchen and even got a few answers to things that have been bugging me for ages. For example, I finally learned that the reason why the toe kick for my Miele dw has never fit quite right is because the GC assembled the panel with extender arms backwards and the fix is a simple one I can do myself. Woo hoo! Other exciting things were some of the displays themselves -- like the Best range hood display which, at first glance, looked like an art installation. I also got a kick out of chatting at length with the team at the NKBA table about what I would differently if I were to ever to a kitchen remodel again. As for the people watching, if you saw me, you would have sworn that this Brooklynite was one of the "slubby surbananites" donned as I was in my Mephistos and NYDJs. (But, then in the mind of some New Yorkers, Brooklyn is a suburb of the City, after all. lol) IMO, such attire made perfect sense for meeting the challenge of walking the cavernous environs of the Navy pier. :-)

Thanks everyone for your well wishes and prayers. It must have helped because everything went well. The only hitch was the surgeon was running an hour late, but the surgery was quick. It was scheduled for 6PM but didn't start till 7PM. DH barely had time to get home to make dinner for him and DS, also Elvira the dog, then eat before turning around and picking me up. I am stone free for now. I go in to see him 2 weeks to get more information on prevention, diet and medicine. Thanks for your well wishes. Clare