10 years post op complications

Hi, Im also plus ten yrs post op.  Just a few thoughts.  I suggest keep an extremely detailed ingredient based diary for a few days.  Too much fat/sugar/spice/dairy/lactose in food. What did you eat prior to?  Also, are you stressed/upset/worried/anxious?  Stress will do it too!  

SIBO

Culprit #1: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is exactly what it sounds like. Bacteria—both good and bad—are plentiful all along your digestive tract. Most of these (around one billion bacteria per mL of fluid) are concentrated in your colon.

Your small bowel—which connects your stomach and your large intestine—contains far less bacteria. (Only around 10,000 bacteria per mL of fluid.)

In the case of SIBO, the bacteria in your small intestine multiply abnormally. This can be caused by bowel obstruction or any other form of reduced gut motility—a common complication of celiac disease, diabetes, low stomach acid (naturally occurring or caused by acid-reducing medication) and other conditions that impact intestinal health.¹

As a result, your small intestine’s bacterial population more closely resembles the bacteria in your colon. These bacteria eat up sugar and carbohydrates, producing excessive gas—including foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide.

And this gas can eventually make its way north and out through your mouth.

But bad breath isn’t the only risk SIBO poses. In fact, it’s probably the least of your concerns. Other complications of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth include bloating, diarrhea, poor nutrient absorption and malnutrition. ²

Luckily, your doctor can identify this with a non-invasive breath test. Even without smelly “sulfur burps”, the presence of hydrogen in your breath is a tip off of excess bacteria in your small intestine.

This is important, since SIBO is often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome. This can lead to a lack of effective antibiotic treatment. And, if left undiagnosed, bacterial overgrowth could eventually move outside the intestine—causing sepsis and organ failure.

The test itself is easy. Your doctor administers 50 to 75 grams of a non-digestible sugar called lactulose. If hydrogen expiration exceeds a certain level (usually 10 to 20 parts per million) in response, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is the likely cause. It’s that simple.

I am suffering with the same symptoms. Yet to be addressed, but after internet research this is what I found. There are many references to this being a result of WLS.

I have felt like this for two years and thought it was normal. I have gained back a lot of what I lost. I'm hoping this is the answer,

good luck

I am 12 years post op RNY.  I have the same pain and have had non stop complications and 13 abdominal surgeries as a result of the RNY.  My doctor diagnosed me with something similar to the previous post.  He called it Blind Loop Syndrome.  It is where a section of my bowel becomes paralyzed and bacteria just grows and grows and I end up with a partial bowel obstruction if I let it go too long.  Now that I know what the signs and symptoms are, I haven't let it get that far.  I take an anti-spastic medicine to help with the pain when I feel an episode coming on.  It doesn't always help though.  I used to take heavy narcotics for the pain, but now that I am in nursing school I had to stop.  It's hard some days to live with the pain.  I hope you find your answer!  I honestly know how frustrating it can be to seek treatment and not find an answer.  I used to get called a frequent flyer at my local ER because I had so many visits of pain with undocumented findings.  

I am 10 years out and have pain in my right side.  I had an EDG yesterday.  The doctor said I have an ulcer.  I was surprised that no one mentioned an ulcer to your post.  That was the first thing I thought of.  I lost 110 pounds and regained 30 and have stayed there for a long, long time.  I did not get to my goal weight.  I would love to lose the 30 regain and 20 more.

Yes!  I currently am 7 years out and was diagnosed with severe anemia, Vit D, and B12 deficient.  I have infusions on a weekly basis...I cannot retain any nutrients at this time.  In April of last year I had a chest port installed for my infusions after having a PICC line for 8 months prior. 

I am with you!