 [ Symptoms ] why can not i purchase a platinum health insurance plan in washington state  i thought that you could get 4 different plans they only offer bronze silver and gold [ Disease ] i do not know your age or the type of abdominal surgery that you had so the best patient specific advice would come directly from the surgeon someone who knows you your medical history etc stool softeners tend to be better but if your surgeon is instruction recommended a laxative many can be harsh and not appropriate for a post surgical patient the surgeon is the one that should specifically recommend one for you