Bowel issue

I am 6 mos out Sleeve>DS.  I don't have a problem with diarrhea—I would describe it more like little fluffy clouds of poo.  But when I do need to go, the need is rather urgent.   Ever since the DS, my BMs have had more fat in them, and wiping has, how shall I say, left less residue on the paper because it's like wiping lube off.  Anyway... about a month ago I started having greasy flatulence.  It's not what I'd call a "shart" but it's more like I'm the human form of a can of PAM non-stick spray.

I admit that my diet could have less fat, and that's an obvious place to start in terms of correcting or mitigating the problem.  But am wondering if perhaps if anyone knows if there is perhaps a vit/min component to these issues or anything else, like bacteria or imbalance, that I should look into.  

Also, for those who are further out, does the frequency of BMs ever diminish/normalize?  

I had this issue.  I did cut back on the fat.  Didn't cut it out of my diet - I eat fatty meats and bacon, but don't eat as much fried foods or use heavy cream in my coffee any more.  That helped with the lubed BM issues.

I started using a really good probiotics, and it changed everything.  My BMs are more like they were before surgery.  No more fluffy poo.  It firmed up the BMs, and I have 2 a day instead of 3-5 a day.

I also use wet wipes after the toilet paper.  It really cleans what the TP doesn't seem to.  Give them a try.  They are cheap.  Just don't flush them.

I flush 'em.

I also don't know how people live without 'em- pre or post op.

How much calcium are you taking?  The primarily "causes" of diarrhea are not taking enough calcium, eating carbs, or a bacterial imbalance.  I would address those issues first.

Other possibilities include two much fat or too much magnesium citrate.  However, these arent as prevalent as the causes above.  There are people who can eat a tremendous amount of fat, with no bowel issues whatsover.  YMMV

Others can add their thoughts, but if it was me (and I've come to know my own body quite well), I would address the possible causes in the order I listed.  My problems have always been isolated to forgetting my calciium or a high carb intake.....except for a couple of isolated incidences at Bdubs, where I think fat was the culprit.

I was having similar poos 5 to 6 times a day. It was driving me mad and making it difficult to find a job in my field fo work. I took some advice here and adjusted my Calcium and also added to my iron. Now I go one to two times a day. My poos are firmed up too. I do not have an issue holding it either when I do need to go. You might start there. 

I still have "fluffy poo clouds," to this day, at seven years post-op.    Back in the early days, and even now, to a lesser extent, that "urgency" was something not to tarry with.   With the DS, when you've gotta go, you've gotta go!   I learned the hard way on that a time or two!     The urgency, and the knowledge of your own limits, will improve with time though.     Your ability to process fat does also become a bit easier.   I still see a sheen of oil in the toilet when I've eat a high fat meal, but not nearly as great as the early days.  It's a good sign that your malabsorption is working, and we tend to call them "oil slicks."    If you are having oil slicks in your underwear, you should definitely cut back on the fat.   The calcium/iron adjustment suggestions are good ones as well.   

I agree with the poster who said increase your calcium, watch for mag oxide.  Also watch for sugar alcohols, wheat gluten and too many carbs. 

As long as I get in my metric ton of Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium I can eat another metric ton of fat which I MUST do in order to keep my weight down.

~Becky

How much calcium are you taking?

I'm doing 1200 mg calcium citrate and a bonus Viactiv chew.  

I can see I'm not even getting the RDA of the magnesium and potassium, but my labs have those as being in the normal range

I'm not Becky, but I can tell you that the Vitalady pre-packaged vites start you on 1,800mg calcium citrate.  Since my last dexa scan I take more like 3,800mg - I take microcristaline calcium hydroxyapatite compound (MCHC) in addition to citrate.  I like Vitacost Bone Booster Complex as it has more vitamin K2 than Jarrow Bone Up (150mcg vs 90mcg per 2,000mg of calcium).

I take my calcium in 6 batches as you can't absorb much over 500mg calcium at a time.  IIRC Becky also takes a lot of calcium too.

I would definitely up your calcium. I take 2000 mg of Bone Booster Complex (in four doses), and try and pop a couple of cal citrate chews for another 500 mg.  1200 is probably the lowest dosage I've seen from any DSers.  You wont know if you are getting enough calcium until you have a bone scan, and by then its too late.