Question:
Drinking milk a problem after surgery?

Just curious on how many people have a intolerance to milk after surgery; specifically gastric bypass? Surgery isn't until next month but I'm just curious.    — Julie H. (posted on July 1, 2007)


July 1, 2007
hahahaha! I love milk too. I had the lap band and I was told by the dr's that if you are not lactose interolent that you will be after having weight loss surgery. I drank quiet a bit one day and my husband chose to sleep in another room. hahahaha. I said "I can't help it" and he said "you made the choice". He also said, "I suggest you open a window" and he made a quick exit. hahahaha. When he left I laughed. Yes, it was worth it! I love my husband, but I was craving some milk!
   — sar

July 1, 2007
I've had no problem with drinking milk. There were even a few times I had 2%, but couldn't finish the glass, but had no problems drinking it. I'm a little over 3 months out. I had lap bypass. I also eat cottage cheese and low fat cheese without problems. Good luck! See you on the losing side! God Bless!
   — crystalsno

July 1, 2007
I am not lactose intolerant - but now - after surgery - I can only eat so much dairy protein (milk, string cheese,yogart, cottage cheese, etc.) because I have lost a taste for it. I can eat/drink a bite or two or three and then it grosses me out. I used to LOVE cheese, milk, dairy - but now.....not so much - just from a taste stand point. I will eat milk on cereal w/o much issues. I can eat light yogart with granola w/o many issues but cottage cheese and string cheese and cheese in general - not so yummy. Good luck and C U on the loser's side.
   — jammerz

July 1, 2007
Julie, I drink Soy Milk -- when I want just milk I'll drink an 8 ounce glass and I use it to make proteins drink.
   — the7thdean

July 1, 2007
I've never been much of a fan for milk unless I was pregnant (I craved it for nutrition only). Since surgery, I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT tolerate milk. Prior to surgery I would have milk w/ my cereal then waste the leftover milk. Now, I cannot even tolerate the small sips on a spoon w/o getting sick! I've even paid almost $4.++ per 1/2 gallon of fat free, lactose free dairy ease milk and it still makes me sick. Amazingly, I can tolerate cheese, yogurt (which I used to hate, but now like), and some brands of ice cream! Go figure!?!
   — CHARLYLVN

July 1, 2007
Maybe I can give you some hope. I have never had a problem with milk and still don't. I am 6 mos. out and as I type this am enjoying a cup of hot cocoa made with 1% milk and no sugar added Swiss Miss cocoa mix. It doubles up on the calcium for me as the Swiss Miss already has the milk in it. They make it in diet as well but the taste is not as good and I would rather forfit the few calories. It helps me satisfy my chocolate hunger as well so for me it is a win win. I hope this has been helpful and hopeful for you. Good Luck and Gods Blessings, Norma
   — njkbutton

July 1, 2007
I LOVED milk espically chocolate milk pre op... I was lactose intolerant right after surgery, but that went away over time. My lactose intolerance was milk products only, I started eating cheese immediately after surgery and still love loraine swiss today. Its a staple food for me.
   — bob-haller

July 1, 2007
I guess the biggest lesson learned from reading this is that we are all different. I loved milk pre-op but it does bother me now. Sometimes it makes me really sick so I don't try it often, only when I feel a near insatiable craving. Sometimes it gets me, sometimes I just get a little gas and that's it. I have tried the lactaid version and it still bothers me, so I figure why spend the extra money. I tried goat's milk and it was less offensive but costly. I haven't tried the soy products yet. I can sometimes eat a no sugar added klondike bar, and sometimes it will bother me. Same thing with cottage cheese. I do miss these things sometimes. I enjoyed dairy a lot before surgery. My brother had the same surgery and he can sit down and drink a big glass of milk with no effects. So, as I said, I guess we are all different. Even though I miss my milk, it has been worth it since I feel great. Best wishes for health and happiness always.
   — djfoz

July 1, 2007
Hi Julie. I am a milk drinker. I love milk and always have. I will admit that it was more difficult to drink milk after surgery. I think it produces gas in me, and it fills me quickly, but I do use it almost every day as a protein source, gas and all, it has been vital for me to drink milk to keep up with protein, and so I continue to drink it. My friend, however, had an intolerance to milk before rny, and it became worse after surgery, and she does not drink milk at all now. She misses it, but it is a real issue for her. It can happen, but you won't know which way you turn until you have the surgery. I hope you get to keep milk. Milk is good food! Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

July 1, 2007
It is not the case for everyone but for it is true. I had RNY in Oct 05 and have not been able to tolerate milk. I think one other person mentioned "gas" for me I wish I could let it out. A little bit of milk and it is worse than dumping. Severe cramps, bloating, the whole works. I am fine with milk when it is cooked in something but straight milk or even a small bit of ice cream is gluten for punishment.
   — Kelli P.

July 2, 2007
All I used before surgery was non-fat milk products and loved it. After surgery I started having problems with non-fat milk and tried soy milk and had the same problems. I decided I could live with it and used nonfat milk. Accidentally used my husbands 2% milk with a shake and my tummy was fine with that. Everything has now switched to 2% and feeling fine!
   — Silkie

July 2, 2007
i was somewhat lactose intolerant pre-op, but only the year or so before. NOW, I must be very careful with even very small portions, like ranch dressing. BUT I also signed a contract with my surgeon not to touch milk or sugar again. I thought he was nuts, but milk is sugar, 12g in a cup. I know some say it's natural sugar, so doesn't matter, but I know I gained 8# with fruit and that is also natural sugar. I love, love, loved milk, but I love being this size more than I loved milk. Some ppl will answer "no" to "is there milk in it?" but my body will let us all know within about 15 minutes. Then they say, "Well, skim". Fat won't make me fat again! Whole milk is only 4% fat, not 100% like we think when we think 2% is great. It's not the fat, it's the sugar!
   — vitalady

July 2, 2007
Not all of us postops are lactose intolerant. We are actually not lactose intolerant in the traditional sense. Milk has a higher content of "milk sugar" than other dairy products. That sugar is what gives us problems. A good number of people I know, myself included, can eat cheese, yogurt, etc without problems. I only get into trouble with straight milk. I hope this helps. Goodluck with your surgery. PS The symptoms of this lactose intolerance thing is ALOT of gas (sometimes the kind that hasn't made it out of you and feels like cramps) and diarrhea.
   — tazthewiz23

July 2, 2007
Hi I could not drink milk before surgery (5/24/07) I would have to run straight into the bathroom. Iam happy to say now I can drink milk and have no problem. So the surgery did something I drink skim or 1% twice a day and it doesn't bother me
   — Tiffany D.

July 2, 2007
Hello, Congrats on the impending date, you'll do great. I was not a milk drinker before my rny lap on 4/9/07, but was required to drink it with protein powder @ sugarfree carnation instant breakfast on a pre-diet, and now for added protein. Severe gas and smelly. Talked to dietician, she recomended lactose pills/chewables, It has helped some, when I remember to take it with everything dairy. good luck.
   — LaurieP

July 2, 2007
I personally have not had any trouble with milk.
   — Alvernlaw

July 4, 2007
I am just starting to have it again, although I did have yogurt. I am two years out.
   — Novashannon




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