IBS and WLS ?

I was wondering if anyone with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) has had WLS,and what their experience with it have been? Does it occur more frequently or less or is it completely relieved by the WLS? Any input would be appreciated!! Thanks, Sonya

Dear Sonya, I have(had) IBS and My bowels have been functioning properly since my surgery on Jan. 13. I have more gas than I used to but I attribute that to my stomach adjusting. It has only been 12 days. Other than that I am fine, no constipation or major pain. I don't know what the long term will be. Good luck. Love, Diane

Hi Diane, I have suffered with this since my son was born 6 1/2 years ago. It is awfull I stay soo sick from the bouts of constipation and diarreha,and it has gotten worse sine my gallbladder was removed in Feb.2000,at times I have to just lie down and curl up in a ball because the cramping and nausea is so bad. I was hopeing that this surgery would help,as long as I don't have the dumping symptom LOL! Thanks and take care! Your friend, Sonya

I had IBS, but with mine it was totally upset tummy all the time. Every time I ate. My best friend told me she didn't see how I was as heavy as I was because food went right through me. Even when I had my upper GI done, the barium went straight through and I was in the bathroom the rest of the day. Surgery has helped so far. My PA told me that it wouldn't cure it, but because less food is involved it will help. I am almost three months out and so far I've had one experience, which was this week. But I'm not sure if it was what I ate or the IBS since it only lasted less than 15 minutes. Good luck!!!!

Hi Vickie, I'm the same way everything pass right through! I'm glad to hear that the episodes haven't been as timely for you,hopefully I will be the same way! Thanks for your reply, and take care! Your friend, Sonya

Hi Sonya, Just a little food for thought...I have fibromyalgia, and before my surgery, the surgeons told me that they had no way to know what effect, if any, the surgery would have on my fibromyalgia. It could improve it, or it could even make it worse. You may or may not know that IBS is also a symptom of fibromyalgia, but was thankfully one that I never had in my many years of living with this disease. However, I am 8 months post-op and have developed what they now believe to be IBS as a result of my surgery. While the vast majority of my FM symptoms have been aleviated by the surgery and weight loss, this is a new one that has developed. As a result, I have lost more weight than was intended, and I am seeing a gastroneurologist to try to manage this problem. I guess it depends upon what is behind the IBS symptoms before you had surgery, in terms of whether the surgery will hel*****t, just as with my FM. To the extent that my obesity created an environment of constant stress on my body and caused a lot of my FM flares, losing the weight has improved that. But to the extent that the surgery left my digestive system in a state of stress (unique to myself, in terms of complications), the FM is now manifested in me as IBS, at least that's the theory that they are going with. Having said all that, I do not for one minute regret having the surgery. Despite the severe IBS symptoms that I currently have that has me on liquids only for the last two weeks, my life is still far far better than before surgery, and this problem, too, shall meet its solution! I hope for you that this will prove helpful! With kindest regards, Donna Earley http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NC_WLS_Information_and_Support/join

Hi Donna, Wow, I did not know that IBS is a symptom of FM! I f the WLS helps my situation then great,but if it dosen't, I have lived with it for so long now that it won't discourage me from going through with the surgery.I have learned to deal with it,although at times it is not easy,but my mind is made up about having WLS.If you have any info. on FM or know a good web site to pass along, I would appreciate it,I am always trying to keep up with diseases,illness,etc..Take care and thank you for your reply! Your friend, Sonya M.

Hi Sonya, well I somewhat misspoke in how I characterized it: there appears to be an overlap with them, in that not all people with IBS have FM and not all people with FM have IBS. One study that I've read indicated that approximately 25% of people with IBS studied had FM. Here are a few links to information about the overlap of the two: http://www.cytolife.com/cyto_web_000016.htm http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256A7D0067A127?OpenDocument&id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249&count=10&highlight=0%2Cirritable%2Cbowel For general information about FM from the Fibromyalgia Network: http://www.fmnetnews.com/pages/basics.html Hope this info is helpful! With kindest regards, Donna Earley

Donna thanks for the links! I love to read medical info. in my spare time! It may sound a little weird....LOL. I am nursing school,so it actually helps me! Take care,Sonya

I suffered with IBS before WLS and still have bouts although it's not as bad. For one thing I don't eat as much as I used to and when it does occur it's over and done with. Now the gas is another thing altogether. My poor wife and I drive together to work some days and she's about to freeze to death......