Food; nom nom nom

Interesting.  We absorb around 40% of the fat we eat. If you don't eat extra fat you will end up having problems going poo.

It's more like 80% of fat that we don't absorb.  As ever it's a YMMV thing but that's the figure that's most often quoted for DSer.  You're right that not enough fat can cause problems when it comes to going.

Early out you want low fat, because too much fat will mess with your bowels. Once you are further out and on your full vitamin regime, you will probably need fat to help your bowels move along.

What you don't want, are low fat foods that take away the fat, and add back carbs. Its very difficult to find full fat greek yogurt, for example, so chose a low fat vs a nonfat.

Fat, from a weight loss perspective, is our friend. It still, however, has no nutritional value. Because of the effect on our bowels, it effects everyone differently depending how far out from surgery you are and the amount and types of foods you are eating with it.

You mentioned hot chocolate with milk. I became lactose intolerant for a while, around a month out. It lasted at least for a couple months. This is pretty common. The best thing you can do for your bowels, since you are going back to work, is to make very good food choices. In all honesty, the first three months, or even six months, can be a roller coaster in that department.

Thank you for this.  Despite my being half asleep it all made perfect sense.  

I know I should be staying away from the lactose, I had some hot chocolate last night for my treat (again, no sugar adding), my husband and daughter made brownies and gorged themselves so the hot cocoa made me feel a little more cheerful.

(I feel admitting our weaknesses for certain foods makes us stronger, and less likely to fail)  There are many many junk foods I care nothing about, but home made brownies and ice cream....

Anyways!  I had no diarrhea, but much gas (about 7 hours later), i'm not sure if it's related or not, but i'm sure I should assume it is...

A DSer having flour or carbs can bring gas, on the is the worst smell in the world. I made both my children vomit while riding in the car....

 

not absorbing the majority of fat for life is a big perk of the DS

Wow, that must have been an incredibly unfortunate car ride.  Lucky for me last nights gas was almost completely smell free.