HELP.. ques - black stool

Hey All..... I have an embarassing question to ask - but one thats I think is important. I had surgery 4 weeks ago and aside from constant oozing from the base of my incision I seem to be doing ok. Still feeling sore and sometimes my insides feel like they are being twisted. HOWEVER....... I have only had about 5 bowl movements in the last 4 weeks ALL of which are JET BLACK!!! What does this mean? Has anyone else experienced this? I always thought black in the stool meant blood!!! Could I be bleeding internally and not even know it??? PLEASE HELP.... I am scared. Thanks -Dee

Dee, If I were you, I would call the doctor right away. I have always been told that black stool could mean there is some internal bleeding. Just to be safe, make that call. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about. Good luck, and please keep us posted. Gail

Hey Dee I would definately get on the horn with your surgeon.....I am 2 weeks post-op Lap RNY/2 abdominal hernia repairs and I have had about 5 BM"s myself in the past 2 weeks,too hard to push easily and started using a stool softener everyday. The first 4 were black and tarry-so I figured it was all the protein shakes,then on the 1 yesterday it was more normal/brown looking,I have also been on the clear liquid and protein shakes for the last 2 weeks post-op,I go to puree foods tomorrow so who knows what I see after that LOL..... Robin

Please call your doc before anything but I have always heard black stool is a sign of a lot of iron.....Are you on a iron pill??? I am on chelated iron and also I take a Benefiber chewable once a day...I have a BM every morning and was told by my doc if I didn't I would have to use a suppositive(sp??) to make sure I went. He told me that if you aren't regular that you can get a ubstructed bowel (where your intestines twist). Please let me know how you make out....Good Luck!!! Karry 311/183/167 goal

Hi Karry: Thanks for your reply..... I am NOT taking ANY iron pills, thats whats scaring me the most. Today is one of the days my surgeon is in surgery and dealing with his office staff is sometimes a nightmare. I have an appointment for a check-up on Tuesday... should I wait that long? If it is internal bleeding - I do not want to have to go through another surgery...... Thanks again for your support. -Dee

There are a few things that could make your stool black: 1. iron 2. spinach 3. pepto bismol (it even says it on the bottle) 4. internal bleeding I would call the doctor immediately and maybe even try to bring him a stool sample.