Question:
Post op diarrhea that won't quit!!

I am about six weeks post op and have "run through" diarrhea with everything I eat or drink. Have seen my dr. twice and was prescribed Immodium and than a prescription stool binder. Neither of them worked. The only thing I can keep in is ginger tea scrambled eggs, fish and bananas.I thought I was eating the wrong foods too soon. My dr. thinks it could be protein drinks or post op meds or herbal pills or even too much vita. B. All these have been temporially eliminated from my diet. My blood panels all came back normal and I'm not dehydrated. Meanwhile I'm tied to the toilet and afraid to eat. Has anyone had this problem?    — Melanie Lake (posted on November 28, 2006)

November 28, 2006
Hmmmmmm. Did your doctor give you a plan for eating following surgery? I was put on liquids for weeks before I could even begin soft foods...then gradually solid foods. IF you can tolerate eggs, fish, and bananas, then I would assume your dr. would want you to stick with those for awhile. He/she IS the best person to discuss this with of course! I'm really sorry you're experiencing this; not fun! I'd be afraid to eat too...Keep asking and trying out different things~Trish
   — zoeysgrami

November 29, 2006
I know exactly what you are talking about. When I drink a protein drink or sometimes a bowl of cereal in the morning, I start out with a normal movement and it graduates to water. I really think its my protein drinks. After I am totally empty, I don't have the problem until the next morning. I do pretty well the rest of the day. I've started taking reading material with me and sit for about a half hour and then its pretty well done.
   — geneswife

November 29, 2006
I guess you need to look carefully at the food that you're eaten. So many have hidden sugars and fats that you simply can't process now (you may be on the high end of the range for dumping). Stick to fat-free and sugar-free foods. The are probably lots of diabetic-specific foods that you can find that will help - maybe checking out a diabetic website that can recommend things?
   — j_coulter

November 30, 2006
Are you drinking milk? In your protein drink? Alone? Skim is still milk, still contains lactose (sugar). What kind of protein drink are you using? Whey in water? Soy?
   — vitalady

November 30, 2006
my only suggestion is too add one thing at a time into your diet every couple of days. See if you can determine what is triggering the trots, if so try and eliminate it from your diet. If it is one of your meds see if you can switch to another brand. Other than that, I give you the advice my father gave to me, "This to shall Pass" , He has a very bad sense of humour.
   — Stormchild