Calling all DS vets...please help!

I can't believe it's coming up on 5 years post op for me! I have had some issues with diarrhea for the last 2 years which in turn caused a fissure...which abscessed, requiring surgery #1...then turned into a fistula, requiring surgery #2. Now I have a second fissure in the scar tissue from the first fissure! All caused by the diarrhea! Ok, so most of this is my fault because for the last couple years have been VERY stressful...excuses aside I became very complacent and have been eating carbs with abandon. I only gained about 15 lbs. but my gut has suffered terribly! 2 weeks ago I started an elimination diet to see if it was just all the carbs or other food sensitivities causing the intestinal pain and diarrhea. So far it's looking like it's mainly the carbs. So, my question to all the vets out there... How many carbs can you eat a day before you start having the "oops, I've had too many carbs" symptoms? I am trying to gauge how many are too many. I really only have about 6 more lbs. that I would like to lose then I need to slow the weight loss down again without irritating my gut and I'll be honest the weight has been flying off again since I started the elimination diet 2 weeks ago...which by the way includes approximately 30 carbs a day right now! Thanks for any input you can give me!

I try to stay between 70-80 net carbs and I don't eat gluten or anything other than Splenda and Truvia for sugar alcohols. That keeps me steady in all realms. I do even better on 50 or less net carbs-which means no 2% Fage Greek yogurt or JayRob protein bars.

Wishing you all the best as you try to get all this sorted out.

--gina

I am almost 4 years out.  My poop talks to me.  Tells me immediately if I ate too many carbs.  Tells me I need more fat when I go low carb.  I just really listen and make changes as soon as possible after the communication from my poop to me.

Does that make any sense?

~Becky

Thanks Gina...that gives me an idea of how much may be too much! I think I am sensitive to some foods now such as eggs or corn products when I eat too much or have them too many days in a row.

Becky, that makes perfect sense! I am trying to get back in touch with my bodies signals again. My gut has been in a constant state of irritation for so long now! I am taking supplements that have totally turned thing around in a positive direction so maybe as I start adding foods back in to my diet I will get the clear signals I need again!

Susan

I avoid grains off all kinds, with the exception of brown rice. I also cannot eat ground beef or ground lamb without poop issues. However, I've come to realize that I had all these food issues before the surgery, the surgery just made me more aware of (and magnified) what my body dislikes. I don't care about carb numbers and I've maintained at 160, even post-pregnancy. If I eat grains, my body has an instant inflammation reaction and I gain weight overnight. The other things I avoid are white sugar and fake sugar. Everything else is fair game. 

I agree with the others to listen to your body.  Carbs are so evil for me, but I did have to add them into my diet while I was pregnant to halt weight loss and avoid ketosis.  This sort of messed with my mind post pregnancy and I have to keep reminding myself that they do bad, bad things to my system and weight maintenance.  My question for you is, what is your calcium intake like?  This is the #1 game changer in my poop issues.  I take a batch 4 times a day.  I even have to take a stool softener sometimes on top of adding in more fat, if I get constipated.  I ran out of my calcium once or twice and the very next day the diarrhea arrives.  I try to stay below 20 grams a day, since I am back to basics.  It's quite the balance isn't it?

Here are two quick fixes that helped me.  Primal Defense Probiotics (not ULTRA - that helps with constipation) and Metamucil Orange Smooth fiber mixed with water.  Hope this helps.