Question:
Is it normal 7mths. post-op to have diarrhea so bad you sometimes cant make it in tim

Hi, Im 7 mths post-op RNY and have diarrhea CONSTANTLY. Its not related to what I eat because I stay away from sugars and fats, plus I have it when I wake up first thing in the morning. It is so bad that I have not made it in time to the restroom a couple of times. I always seem to be dehydrated also. My surgeon(who just left [Kevin J. Mitchell] just said to take Immodium, however this seems like theres something else going on. My primary care doctor doesnt seem concerned either, even though Im constantly dehydrated. He just seems to think that its dumping, although I stay away from sugar and fat. What should I do? Im afraid to go anywhere because I never know when this is going to hit.    — KIMBERLY K. (posted on July 30, 2002)

July 30, 2002
It reminds me of when I use milk products. It took me a long time to figure out I was lactose itolerant, but that's how I was. I'm not sure why it would act that way first thing in the morning, though. You could try soy milk and staying away from dairy products to see if it helps. Good luck to you!!!
   — blank first name B.

July 30, 2002
Bless your heart, you sound like my dad. He has irritable bowel, and probably some polyps. My 16 year old niece was having irritable bowel symptoms, and a scope revealed that she had polyps. Let me recommend a home remedy first, and then if it doesn't help, see a gastroenterologist or general surgeon for a colonoscopy. Eat some yogurt. Chances are, you have killed out the good bacteria in your bowel with this continued diarrhea. Also, get some Cream of Rice or baby rice and baby bananas or mash up some bananas in the cereal. My daughter(3 at the time) had a diarrhea for over a week once, and we tried this trick, and it was better in a few days. If you start passing any phlegm or blood, you probably have an infection or colitis. I also agree that it could be some type of intolerance to food or maybe a food allergy, but it seems like you'd be up in the middle of the night rather than when you awake in the morning. Hope you feel better soon.
   — Tina B.

July 30, 2002
When I use products with hidden milk (lactose) in them, yep, like you. But I have to ask, ar eyou replacing your fat soluble vitamins? A, D, E with non-oil versions? Since we malabsrob then ANWYAY, and you are avoiding fats, AND you have this rushing river, you can easily become depleted in those, which can be critical. A = eyes (night blindness, for one); D = bones (rickets); E = hair, skin, nails, capillary walls (and all male function). Those are pretty essential to have covered & a coupla multi-vites isn't even close. Have you had a hugue gob of labs run since you've had this problem?
   — vitalady

July 30, 2002
I was told that imodium doesn't fix the problem.the problem is fiber. I also have a bad problem with it. I buy Fiber Choice from walmart it's cheap and works well for me...I take a half every day and hve no problems for the most part.....good luck
   — Sharon F.