Question:
Gas...It is horrendous....What causes it? ug

   — Rhonda C. (posted on September 15, 2008)

September 15, 2008
I may be wrong, but I believe it is due to the fact that we produce less stomach acid after RNY, and intestine is re-routed, so our food passes more quickly in to the intestines; partially digested, where it sits, taking longer to break-down, and I suspect, probably "ferments" and gives off gases. Anybody else have info? P.s. I am taking "Pro-Biotocs." Friendly bacteria that our digestive system NEEDS to help properly digest our food and help prevent gas. Two brands I use are Digestive Advantage (sold at Wal-Mart and pharmacies) and "Max Health Oraldophilus" (sold at Luckyvitamin.com). I also take anti-gas pills; Gas-X (Wal-Mart) and/or a brand available at Luckyvitamin.com called Hyland's Homeopathic GAS. It's an all natural gas/flatulence remedy. By the way, "sugar alcohols" (an ingredient found in sugar-free candies & chocolates) will cause MAJOR gas.
   — Gina S.

September 15, 2008
Gas after my surgery was horrendous, too. Walking is the best remedy, it will help the gut work out much needed gas. Avoid decaf coffee, soda. Hot decaf herbal teas are great. But get moving, that was the ticket for me. You will never be so thrilled to pass gas:-)
   — KellyHig

September 15, 2008
Right after surgery, it is caused because they infalated you stomach area to operate. If you still have a lot of gas it is a few things. First, chew 50 times and swallow slowly, as larch chunks of food hold air and you swallow more air. Your pouch does not have a lot of stomach acid, so food passes in a more solid format until the last third of you small intestine where it finally meets up with the stomach acid, so it only has 1/3 the small intestine to degist in. Thus you absore less nutrents and calories from the food. Sugar, carbs and fat do not degist like before because they do not pass through the first third of your small intestine any longer, and that is what absorbed thos calories and nutrents in the past. That leave food getting to the big intestine in bigger and chunker format, with air in them and between them. You don't burp like you use to so that mean the only escape for the air is through your colen. Thus you look great, but you toot!
   — William (Bill) wmil

September 16, 2008
You didn't give us much information to go on... but one common cause of gas (and it can be nasty and severe) is sugar alcohols. They are used instead of sugar in a lot of low and no sugar products. Read the labels of what you are eating... malitol, xylitol, sorbitol, etc. Google for a complete list.
   — mrsidknee

September 17, 2008
I had horrendous gas...I seriously thought that I was going to have a heart attack is was so bad. My surgeon sent me to a gastroenterologist, and they did a simple test. I have "H. Pylori" and also "bacterial overgrowth" which the doctor said was very common after by-pass surgery. I'm now on anti-biotics for the bacterial overgrowth, then will take the anti-biotics for "H. Pylori". The gastroenterologist said that I will not have any more problems after this. The "H. Pylori" is very common...over half the people in the world have it but are never tested. It's a very simple test. You can either drink about 2 ounces of this "tart sprite" stuff, then breath into a little bag, or have a blood test. Good luck, I know how painful it can be.
   — mamma10