Question:
Is diarrhea a problem for many post ops?
I'm a pre-op having surgery this month. Here is my concern that I hate to ask, but I have to. I work in one of the few offices on the ground level of a very large two-tower office building. To get to the bathroom I have to walk from my corner of the east tower to the central escalators, up the slow escalator or walk up thirty stairs and then cross over and walk decent length to the bathroom on the west side. I'm not kidding. Some days now, it's bad enough when you really have to go. I do most of my eating in the office. Is diarrhea a problem for many post-ops? I'm going to eat well...but you never know what may happen. I swear I would just die of embarrassment if I had an accident on my way up! — [Anonymous] (posted on November 1, 2001)
November 1, 2001
That's one of the old wls myths that just refuses to die. I'm
nearly four years post-op and I have an uncle and three good friends
who have had wls. Not one of us has had a problem with diarrhea.
However, I'm the only one who doesn't have a gallbladder (they removed it
when I had my rny...) and when I eat a meal with a high fat content, I
always have a BM about 20 minutes after I eat....and I can't delay things.
When I have to go...I have to go! But, it doesn't present any undo
problems
because I make it a point not to eat fatty foods when I'm not home.
— [Anonymous]
November 1, 2001
I am sorry but to me this is no myth. I still have runny stools at three
and half months out. I am able to hold it until I get to a bathroom but
unsually I don't have that far to go. But when I was in the hospital I had
several accidents. Mine does not occur when I have high fat foods, it
occurs when I have my protein drink. It runs right through me. But it
gives me 50 grams of protein, no sugar, no carbs, and low fat so I don't
want to use anything else.
I guess you have to find out what your stomach likes and dislikes as far as
food goes and take it from there.
— Robin P.
November 1, 2001
Everyone is different. I have had no problems with "close
encounters". At first it was a problem with not going at all. Milk
of Magnesia solved that the 1st week. Now I'm as regular as I was before.
So I think it is going to be a wait and see how your systems re-acts to
your surgery. Good Luck....
— Betty M.
November 1, 2001
I'm 3-1/2 mos post-op and have not had any close calls at all. No dirty
little mishaps. I "go" about 2 or 3 times a week, but the urge
is not so strong that I have to run to the restroom.
— careywatkins
November 1, 2001
you poor thing...wonder you arent skinny from the trip.
Daryl Davidsons web page sugg. metimucil if it happens but wow...You give
new meaning to "THE BACK YARD TROTTS"
— Jackiis
November 1, 2001
I can't believe you have to go that far to use the toilet!!! I'm 4 1/2
months post-op, and I also have no problems with that. My surgeon also
does a vagotomy (he severs two nerves to cut back on the occurance of
ulcers). This procedure also causes diarrhea in most patients. I haven't
had any problems, but I eat A LOT of low-fat cheese, to help get in more
protein. So maybe that gets me so I'm just regular now, because I'm
definately not constipated! I probably go 2-3 times a day, and before
surgery I was much the same. I think it really depends on how you are
before, how sensitive your stomach is. Good luck!
— Becky H.
November 1, 2001
Everyone is different. However I was "full of it before, and I still
am". What I mean is, I have always been constipated, and still am at
almost 6 months post op.
Nothing has changed for me. It may or may not change for you. None of us
can know for sure until we are there. It makes it hard.
— Danmark
November 1, 2001
I'm one month post-op (laparoscopic proximal RNY), and my bowel movements
have been a lot better after surgery than they were before! Before
surgery, I had very crampy I-gotta-go-and-I-gotta-go-NOW diarrhea/bowel
movements quite often. For the first two weeks following surgery, I was on
a totally liquid diet, so I did have very watery bowel movements, but I
wouldn't consider them "accidents" or anything like that. I felt
that I had to go to the bathroom (not urgently), so when I got there, it
was just very watery. I didn't have cramps or ever feel like I wasn't
going to make it though. Now that I'm on soft foods (cottage cheese,
yogurt, potatoes, etc.) my bowel movements are solid and normal. I usually
have one every day (it's much smaller than it was pre-op) or every other
day. I can say though that I agree with the person who wrote that she had
a hard time in the beginning distinguishing between having to pass gas and
having to have a b.m. That happened to me once. I thought I had to pass
gas, but realized a split second later that it was more than that, so I
walked to the bathroom. No problems. :)
— Emily W.
November 1, 2001
I think everyone is different-I am 3 months post op and I stopped the
diarrea a couple wks after surgury. Now I barely have a bowl movement every
few days or so. Good luck-Jules
— Jules S.
November 1, 2001
My RNY is extremely distal. I was GUARANTEED these kinds of problems. The
first year was a bit iffy, my learning curve, but it evened out for awhile,
then became the OTHER way. I learned early on which foods were best eaten
at home only. Part of it depends on your type of surgery, but known
triggers are milk, sugar and fats. The question is how MUCH sugar and
which kinds? Fruit? Yeah, maybe. Fats, not all, but some. 3 french fries,
maybe not, but 13 might be too many. Learning curve.
— vitalady
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