okay I need HELP!

Evening everyone, I need some help/advice quick.... I had RNY surgery on June 21st. and have been doing fine until yesterday when I noticed that my stool was blackish.  Well during the course of today it has gotten worse and my sisters the nurses tell me that this is a sign of internal bleeding.   I can definitely see that it is indeed blood but  I don't see this on the list of things to look for post op so I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue and if so was it serious? Please help or I'll never sleep tonight.  Of course I am calling Dr. Farrell's office first thing tomorrow morning but I would sure appreciate some peace of mind tonight.  As always, thanks for your responses and help.   E

OK - gonna try to not be too gross but couple of questions? Is it bright red?  -  OR Does it look dark, like coffee grounds?

What a nasty subject, I'm sorry....anyway it is like cofee grounds very dark but the fluid that also comes out is red. 

I'm not a medical Dr. nor am I dispensing medical advise - this is just my knowledge. How long has this been going on? Do you faint or lightheaded? Running temp? Abdominal cramping? Heart palpitations? Feel weak? Feel cold?

Ethel,                 Wendy may have a good idea. If you need to call the hospital ER and ask.......I'm not a nurse but I thought dark brown...old blood.......bright red....not so good. Once again I'm NOT a Nurse...please call to find out for sure. Hugs  Sarah

Ethel- my 1st two reactions- if you are on iron supplements - it freq. will darken your stools and even make you heme + ( test positive for blood in your stools)- this would be a safe, "good" explanation. Next reaction- are you having any other symptoms of possible blood loss? Lightheadness when standing? is your pulse rapid ( say over 90 or 100 bpm)? Do you feel generalized weakness? If you answer yes to any of those questions- I would recommend you go ahead and call your surgeon's office, which SHOULD be rolling over to an answering service at this time of night....Or you can call the ER where you had your surgery and inquiry how to reach the bariatric surgeon on call tonight. Please do not hesitate to call- we pay our surgerons very well and some things simply can not wait until the morning....Wishing you the best! Sheila

Ok I don't want to alarm you, but the red indicates an active bleed somewhere, probably in your lower intestine.  I would encourage you to go to the emergency room and have some xrays taken.  The dark stool is an indication of blood that is higher up and has sort of been digested.  I am not a doctor or a medical professional, but I am not going to tell you you are ok to sit and wait til tomorrow.  An ounce of prevention... Let us know... Suzanne

Ok Wendy good questions: no temp I'm freezing no cramps but my stomach is bloated and hard to the touch at times. Heart palps I don't think so  When I do go to the bathroom then I feel all weak and stomach swollen, very short of breath.    I'm tolerating food good enough I thought.  I'm still on mostly clear fluids but have included some cream of chicken soup, yogurt.

Not medical advise - just friend to friend Go to the ER tonite - do not wait until morning............stay calm, and go get evaluated please

Ooops missed your first question Wendy.... This has been going on since Wednesday but getting more frequent today...like everytime I eat or drink.