Post-op gas -- what causes it and how long does it last?

Sorry in advance for the TMI post! Since my surgery Monday, I have had really bad gas pains. Thanks to Gas-X, though, some of it's finally coming out. I thought it was left over from the insufflation during surgery, especially because it doesn't really have an odor, but it always gets worse after I eat. I've tried slowing down (one small bite of yogurt every 10 mins or so), but that doesn't seem to make a difference. Even drinking water sets off another "episode." Do I just have to wait for this to pass (no pun intended), or is this something I'll have the rest of my life now? Or could lactose intolerance have set in that fast? I have been making all my protein shakes with 2% milk on the advice of my NUT.

Yes, lactose intolerance can happen immediately after surgery.  Make your shakes with water, unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, or my new favorite, cashew milk and see how you feel.  

Sugar alcohols can cause gas too.  Stay away from any sugar alcohols ending in "itol".

Thanks Rocky. Is it likely to be lactose intolerance even if I get the gas pains after drinking jus****er (about 30 mins to get down 3/4 cup)?

yes,the gas could still be caused from lactose intolerance. The gas maybe dormant in your intestines till something else moves into your intestines(water) then as the gas begins to move on through,it hurts. I also would give up cow milk and just see.

Ah gotcha. Thanks for the wise words! Looks like some experimentation is in my future.

You probably won't have it forever but it's very common even if lactose intolerance is not the issue. There is a product called Devrom available that helps the odor - doesn't stop the gas but still....obnoxious odor can happen for a good while post RNY.

i ordered Devrom from Amazon because I couldn't find it locally. 

Dont we just love this forum? Where else would you discuss such things!!!

Haha I certainly do! What's weird is it's almost completely odorless. I've heard about probiotics helping but didn't know if it was worth ordering any if this might be temporary anyway. Nobody mentioned anything about gas during my pre-op classes.

Walking will help to remove the excess gas;  once that's gone, you may have horrible gas that will make the dog leave the room.  If so, then Devrom is your only hope.  It removes the stench from your feces, although it won't prevent or remove gas.

Definitely remove any sugar alcohols from your diet.  Those cause "digestive upset" you won't believe.

Mine was caused by my Celebrate bariatric vitamins.  Check labels on everything and don't take vitamins with sorbitol or maltitol.  

Ooh very interesting; the Celebrate are the ones I've been taking since Tuesday. I might try switching to see before going off milk products.