Question:
I had open RNY almost 5 months ago and am still experiencing severe diarrhea.

The diarrhea typically occurs within 20-30 minutes of eating or drinking anything other than water for the first time that day. My WLS surgeon says this is not typical and I have now had a colonoscopy where they have not found anything. The problem is that according to the gastronentronologist my body is not processing stomach bile. This was determined due to the symptoms and the bright green color of my stools. This is affecting my job as I am supposed to travel and have not been able to do so since the surgery. My diarrhea last for about an hour and typically I have 2-3 episodes where I hopefully I'm within 50 feet of a restroom. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? My gallbladder was also removed during the surgery.    — Denise S. (posted on November 27, 2001)

November 27, 2001
Hi. I'm 2.5 months post op and saw my doctor today for a check up. I'm having the same problem. It gets so bad that when I'm done that I am totally drained of energy. I've tried liquid Imodium and the pill form. I asked him toda for a prescription for something. He didn't seem worried about it, but it's driving me nuts. I also get bad bouts of gas so you can imagine how bad it is when I have to go to the restroom. I just feel like everything I put in my mouth turns to liquid and passes right through. Don't worry, you are not alone. From what I have read here, there are others like us.
   — Jennifer H.

November 27, 2001
Fats? High? Low? And sugar. How much sugar? That would include "healthy foods", like milk, applesauce, graham crackers. What happens if you eat foods known to constipate, like bananas & cottage cheese or rice? I had, shall we say, spontaneous surprises the first year, off & on, but I learned a little more, it leveled out.
   — vitalady

May 16, 2002
I have a similar problem.. I am 2 months post op, and I notice that whenever I eat the first meal of the day I have to run to the potty just about 5-10 minutes later.. sometimes it happens after other meals too, but it ALWAYS happens with the first meal of the day.. It's almost like eating triggers my body to start things back in motion if you know what i mean. It's not an excessive amount because I don't eat much it's just annoying and could pose problems at work from too much time spent in the potty.
   — msjmcalpin

May 16, 2002
I am still pre-op, but I had these symptoms when I had my gall bladder out. It's been two years now and it has signifigantly improved, but if I eat greasy foods I can almost time myself on how long I have to run to the bathroom. It's real fun going out to eat!
   — cjabates

May 16, 2002
I am pre-op, but had my gall bladder removed almost two years ago and have suffered from diarrhea almost every day since then. (Immodium had become my after-dinner mint!) I'm finding this is very common with people who have had their gall bladders removed. I recently learned it is because gall bladder bile is a salt that draws fat from the food. Because you no longer have your gall bladder, you don't have that benefit. I mentioned this to my WL surgeon when I went for my consultation two weeks ago and he gave me a prescription for Questran. It worked miracles - I haven't had a bout with diarrhea since. As a matter of fact, I am finding I can take the Questran about every other day and it works fine. It is a powder you mix in with your favorite beverage.
   — KRISTI K.