Fecal incontinence after GB (sorry!)

OK...I know it's an icky subject...but has anyone else experienced fecal incontinence after GB surgery? I'm just over 8 years out from my successful surgery, and this began happening occasionally about 2 years ago. I had a colonoscopy several months ago, and the gastroenterologist said it's common in GB patients...but I wondered if anyone else has had this problem, and if so, what can you offer that will help? Thanks!

I don't think it is common in RNY patients. I would ask him for more information about that.

Regardless, what does he say is causing it and what can be done about it?

It can happen after GB surgery.  It's strange that people usually go one direction or the other post GB surgery with constipation or blowout diarrhea.   While I never had fecal incontinence, it came pretty dang close a few times.  Usually it's because you no longer have a gallbladder to ration out bile.  I went through a period of time where we stayed at restaurants for at least 30 minutes after we ate just in case I had issues.  I can not remember the name of the medication I took to help, as soon as I remember I will add it to the post.  If you google diarrhea and gb surgery you find many suggestions to help.

I had this problem with gallbladder surgery.  I love this place.  There are absolutely no subjects that are off-limits and these things are really important to know.  It lets us know what is normal, what is not, when you should ask you doc and all sorts of other excellent information.

A special thanks to you that are way past your surgery for staying around to help everyone else through it.  You have no idea what a help it is, especially for those of us with no other support system.

Gosh, thanks everyone for the quick replies...and yes, they did remove my gallbladder during the GB surgery, but it seems odd that the problem didn't start right away.  I know I'm not being as careful with my diet as I was in the beginning, but I've monitored it and the issue doesn't appear to have anything at all to do with what or when I ate.  I've never mentioned it to my GP--maybe too embarrassed!--but perhaps I should, in case like Kat mentioned there's a medication that could help. I've also thought about re-contacting my surgeon to see if he has any thoughts.

Mine did not happen right away either but it did resolve itself pretty soon.  I think I was not eating properly.

 

It is embarrassing to admit but I have the same problem.  It happens mostly in the morning when I'm first getting up.  I have better control during the day but I don't delay getting to the BR either.  My gall bladder is still with me.  I'll be interested to learn how you manage it.  Keep us up tp date.

Yup... I am two years out and I have it every once in a while.   It can be diet related for me.  Or is an issue if I don't take my time in the morning (ahem) before dashing out the door.   I had a bit of an irritable bowel before surgery, but never fecal incontinence.   I have learned to live with it - but it is a major inconvenience.   For me, it is important to read my body's signals to avoid an incident.

Stonelady

i had what i thought was related to my surgery. turns out i had a very rare bacteria in my intestine that was causing diarrhea. i was afraid to even cough or toot. lol
they gave me cipro and it cleared it up amazingly!

I had it often after my first WLS.  I think it was because I had chronic bacterial overgrowth in my intestines.  Something about the way my surgeon rearranged my intestines (my first surgery was very malabsorptive).  It was made worse by my terrible eating habits.  I have not had a problem since my revision and change in eating habits.

You can ask for a stool culture but I've heard that it may not always show when there is bacteria.  I think it's because it only tests for a few different kinds and there are very many different kinds that aren't being tested.  Also, C Diff can cause it.  They way I knew for sure was because it would clear up for a while when I took Flagyl but it always came back full force.  Like I said, once I had my malabsorption reduced I never had a problem.