A poopy question

So I'm pondering the way that the malabsorption works and am wondering... Since DSers only absorb 20% of the fat they eat, do you have runny greasy stools? Is that inevitable?

Anyone remember orlistat? The purpose was to only let the body absorb a portion of the fat we ate. I tried that just like the gazillion other diets, pills, etc. Orlistat was not nice though. I had to quite taking it because it was exactly that-runny,hard to contain, greasy stools.

I'm praying the answer is no?!?!

This is a serious question. I am trying to imagine every scenario. I am a nurse and work 12 hour shifts, can't be running to the potty every 5 mins the rest of my life. I have no problem with multiple stools a day, kinda do that know when I eat a lot of carbs bc I guess I'm carb intolerant. It was the nature of those orlistat stools that has me concerned.

In the early days post-op you might have "grease slicks" but unless you really over do the fat you won't have any issues and you don't get the orlistat effect.

--g 

I wanted to add, if you're taking all the calcium and iron we need to take, constipation might be more of a problem than loose stools...at least that's how they affect some people.

That's really good to know!

Early out you may find yourself dashing to the toilet.  I'm ~21 months out now and I go once or twice a day.  Normally first thing in the morning and sometimes in the evening (I may end up going at wor****asionally, but it's pretty rare).

I eat what I consider a "normal" fat diet. Meaning nothing low fat and I rarely feel the need for extra fats. I get loose stools sometimes but never an oil slick like people talk about.

I had diarrhea for around 6 months.  Not from too much fats, just the way my system tried to readjust after surgery.  When I drank cream in my coffee, I was a mess.   

Once I found calcium and iron, plus Immodium, along with lots of protein and no carbs, things started to straighten out.  Now a year out, I have to use cream, eat bacon - find fat to eat.  I didn't eat fat in the early days though.

The first 6 months out, I went to the bathroom about 4 times in the mornings and half the time at night also.  Now I go twice in the mornings (I get up 30 minutes earlier for this).  Rarely do I go at work - if I do, it's from eating wrong things the night before.

I am 41/2 years out and I find that I only have them if I eat VERY high fat like a lot of salami or a lb. of bacon or something.  A normal diet a little high on the fat side (because we need it) is fine.  I've never had a problem with constipation, I'm the opposite, very regular and on the soft side but not diarrhea.  Usually twice in the morning and once more in the evening.  In the beginning you'll probably go a little more and with more emergency but you'll settle in.  Your issue will be the carbs.  You'll really have to change the way you eat or you'll be in trouble.  Protein is the name of the game!!!  Its weird at first but you'll get used to it.

I find the smell is the worst part, but that is worse depending on what I eat.  The more carbs the worse it is.  If you are really worried talk about common channel length with your doc, the longer the channel the less issues you should have, although that's not a guarantee.  Everyone is different.

Everything in life has issues, but with everything I have to deal with I would do it again in a minute!  The DS gave me a life and I am grateful for that everyday!  It's not a magic pill, you'll still have to watch what you eat, just differently.  For me, it's been sooooooooooooooooo worth it!

I'm 8.5 years out and have a giant poo every morning, then I'm usually done for the day.  Consistency depends on what I've eaten.  It's usually pudding-like or soft and mildly formed (taking plenty of calcium helps this a lot).  If I eat something like onions, though, it can be very different.  There is a little trial and error, but once you and your body figure each other out, it's quite a nice partnership.

BTW - what I eat has no effect with fat.  I live in a hotel half the week and start the day with cheesy eggs and around 8 slices of bacon.  There's no problem with fat at all for me when it comes to poo effects.