WARNING: TMI Question and not my usual perky...

I'm sorry you're feeling bad. Do you have a fever? Are you getting your fluids in? If there's no fever, it's probably more likely a GI irritation rather than an infection. After you take your temp, if you're OK, I think if it were me I'd try some Benefiber or Metamucil (both overthe counter). GI docs routinely prescribe fiber for both constipation and diarrhea. It will move things through in a healthy way and add bulk so you won't be having diarrhea. It works for both problems.

If your diet is low in fiber, it may cause GI upset. If it continues, be sure to give your PCP a call on Monday. Be sure to keep your fluids going in and I'd suggest steering clear of dairy products for a day or two...they're hard on the GI tract to digest on a good day.  I hope you feel better soon. We need our Gal to be Glitterin'! ; )

We are all great Doc's but I will step down with the Grandma advice and let you take Doc B's!! He has a degree and all so that trumps me real quick!! I love this board!! We are all such loving people with helpful hearts full of really good advice. I think he is right in bringing you in, even if you don't want to.....Good luck...

Kim I am sorry you are feeling bad.  I have drank literally about 2 CASES of water in the last 3 days.  Last night I drank 5 bottles in a 4 hour period (3 1/2 if you count the fact I waited about 25-30 minutes after dinner).  I have had 6 so far today.  Stay hydrated sweetheart and hope you get to feeling better fast.

So sorry your not feeling well .. I am sending hugs from a distance just in case your contagious.. feel better soon hun.

Hey All:  I just talked to Denise and Kimmie is well situated in my favorite bed in the step-down room at FBH getting pumped full of beautiful fluids! She is well enough to be complaining LOUDLY so all is well!!  They are trying to contain her but it looks like they are going to do the full rehydration of 2 liters and send her home.  Just wanted to update you guys! As a 2nd thought - I am going to get on my soapbox for just a moment.  As a bariatric patient one of the things we HAVE to do is keep well hydrated at all times.  Because we cannot take in the same amounts as a regular person, we have to push harder than ever to get our fluids in.  So, please listen to your body.  Kimmie's diarrhea was probably not caused by dehydration, but diarrhea in this weather and continuing our normal activities is a real issue in ensuring we can function properly.  Please be sure to continue to push even more fluids than what is recommended by your particular surgeon.  It is HARD to do, but you do not want to get behind because it takes even longer to catch it back up.   A couple things that might help is to return to some of the methods we used during those 1st days post-op - SF popsicles, SF jello, lots & lots of propel, water, crystal light...yada yada.  If you think you are behind, YOU ARE!!  You cannot make it up easily!  If you are continuing your normal outside activities you HAVE to almost get 1.5 or 2 x the regular amount to stay even in your hydration.  Please take care of yourselves!!  The temps are actually warmer right now that normal so that means it is only going to get worse and more of us are going to suffer with dehydration.  Catch it early and call your surgeon or PCP if you have any issues.   Here are the signs you need to watch for: Symptoms of early or mild dehydration include:

• flushed face
• extreme thirst, more than normal or unable to drink
• dry, warm skin
• cannot pass urine or reduced amounts, dark, yellow
• dizziness made worse when you are standing
• weakness
• cramping in the arms and legs
• crying with few or no tears
• sleepy or irritable
• unwell
• headaches
• dry mouth, dry tongue; with thick saliva.

Symptoms of moderate to severe dehydration include:

• low blood pressure
• fainting
• severe muscle contractions in the arms, legs, stomach, and back
• convulsions
• a bloated stomach
• heart failure
• sunken fontanelle - soft spot on a infants head
• sunken dry eyes, with few or no tears
• skin loses its firmness and looks wrinkled
• lack of elasticity of the skin (when a bit of skin lifted up stays folded and takes a long time to go back to its normal position)
• rapid and deep breathing - faster than normal
• fast, weak pulse 

In severe dehydration, these effects become more pronounced and the patient may develop evidence of hypovolaemic shock, including: diminished consciousness, lack of urine output, cool moist extremities, a rapid and feeble pulse (the radial pulse may be undetectable), low or undetectable blood pressure, and peripheral cyanosis. Death follows soon if rehydration is not started quickly.

Thanks for updating us on Kim and reminding us to get our fluids in ... even if it's hard to do.

Hey, I wasn't complaining!  We were laughing!  Apparently my vein was a gusher this time!  Go figure!  We had a few laughs so it wasn't bad at all.  Nice to be the only patient in a hospital!

Ruth, thank you for listing those symptoms and for climbing up on the soap box to shout at us about this! It is important for anyone this time of year and especially for those who have had these procedures. I know we all need to exercise, but when you aren't feeling well, it is not a time to push yourself. We need to listen to our bodies. Thanks for taking the time to post all of this info!   Sherry

Ruth, thank you for listing those symptoms and for climbing up on the soap box to shout at us about this! It is important for anyone this time of year and especially for those who have had these procedures. I know we all need to exercise, but when you aren't feeling well, it is not a time to push yourself. We need to listen to our bodies. Thanks for taking the time to post all of this info!   Sherry

So sorry to hear you are feeling bad. Hopefully they will get you hydrated and home feeling much better.