Question:
I am 6 days post and my bowel movements

have been a dark brown-black color. I'm on a liquid diet, just crystal lite, boost, water, and some ensure. I remember drinking some dark nasty stuff when the doctor was checking for leaks in my new pouch but I find it hard to think its still that same stuff coming out. Thanks to everyone for helping me out.    — Karen M. (posted on May 5, 2002)

May 5, 2002
Hi! I was a little nervous 6 days post-op, too! Just remember all of the things that have been pumped into you the past few days: anesthesia, IV fluids, meds, heprin, etc., etc. And now you're doing liquids...of course your BMs are going to be very strange for a while! Keep in mind that you are healing, and will be for weeks! I am nearly 8 weeks post-op and am still having odd-colored movements. (Mostly light green! Gross, I know!) But when you start on your vitamins, they can do many things to your movements. You'll probably also run the gamut of constipation, diarrhea, you name it! Don't worry, you're fine! Good luck to you!!
   — LaRayne H.

May 5, 2002
I am almost 5 months post-op. I had very dark stools the first week. at 2 weeks I started to notice blood in my stools I called my doctor, he did a blood count and a clotting test. my blood count was a little low and the clotting was a little high.He told me to wait a couple of days but that evening I had to go in the emergency room because I was bleeding more and very weak. I had an ulcer on the old part of my stomach that let go. I was in the hosp for 3 days until my blood count started going up. You should call your doctor and let him know what is going on so that he can check you out.
   — mc H.

May 5, 2002
Since your surgery was so recent, I would assume its normal to have brown-black BMs. Also, if you are taking any type of iron supplements, that will turn your movements a dark green-black color. C. Chase
   — C. C.

May 5, 2002
Completely Normal! I had the same thing! Started at about 5 days post-op and continued until I was appx. 10 days post-op. It smelled really foul! I called it "anesthesia poop". I had a nurse tell me that it was a combination of everything...Anesthesia, antibiotics, but the main cause was Blood. Nothing to worry about...I think most of us have had it!
   — Kristin R.