Fiber, fiber, fiber

I was recently diagnosed with a chronic anal fissure. My doctor told me to stop consuming caffeine in all forms (including chocolate!), alcohol, and citrus, and to start taking Metamucil daily. After 3 weeks of that plus the medication he'd prescribed, I hadn't improved much, so he changed my medication but now he's saying if that doesn't work we'll have to consider surgery (OUCH!)

I've been doing some research on treatment of anal fissures and one of the things I've seen recommended is a very high fiber diet. So I've started packing in lots of extra fiber: I eat almost nothing  but whole grains, vegetables, and legumes (plus a little lean meat and protein powder daily for protein), and I'm taking the maximum daily dose of Metamucil--plus wheat germ and flax meal. In total, I'm getting about 60 grams of fiber daily, including the supplements. I'm considering adding more, perhaps via wheat bran.

The only thing I could find about the side effects of high fiber diets is that your nutrients might not be absorbed as well. Right now I'm less worried about that than about getting better, and I'm taking vitamin supplements to boost my nutrient intake (plus of course I'm eating tons of fruit and veggies). Is there anything else I should be worried about in regards to getting this much fiber? 

With increased fiber, it's very important that you drink lots of water. You should be drinking a lot more than you usually do because of the sudden increase. Carry a water bottle with you and sip it whenever it comes to mind.

Also, be sure that you are getting enough fats in your diet. A healthy balanced diet has 20-30% of its calories come from fats; but you should aim for 30%, since your body will need all the help it can get.

It seems like you have a good mix of soluable and insoluable fiber (soluable fiber comes from fruits and veggies and adds bulk to stool; insoluable fiber comes from whole grains and helps the stool move through).

Here's a list of more high-fiber food ideas; scroll to the very bottom to find a chart: http://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient &dbid=59

Can you have too much fiber?  I am getting alot more than the recommended 25g.  Up to 50 or so some days.  I am mostly eating fruits, veggies, and whole grains too. If I am not ill is this too much?

There was a topic on this earlier: http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1421 2.html

Some will argue that too much fiber can result in the loss of nutrients, but I think this more affects people who are low in certain nutrients, like anemics.

I'm definitely drinking lots of water, at least 2 liters a day. But the information I found said to avoid fatty foods, so I have been--I've gotten an average of 35 grams a day for the last 3 days (when I started this), or about 17% of my calories. I've been focusing on getting enough protein, because eating so much fiber has beant I've also been eating high-carb foods. I'm not sure it's possible to stay under my 1500 calorie goal and get 50-60 grams of fiber and get enough protein and get 30% of my calories from fat.

I had 77 grams of fiber today without any fiber supplements and I feel so bloated. It doesn't make me rush to the toilet either.. I guess my body is used to such a high intake.

I would guess that if you are feeling bloated it is because your body isn't used to such a high intake or you aren't getting enough water.  It sounds like you are having trouble processing all of it.