Question:
Something isn't right

I was 246 when I had my RNY on 28 Mar, 2006. I lost a total of 70 lbs at my lowest weight but over the last few months have regained almost 15 lbs. Not only that, but for the last 3 weeks I've had constant diahrea and feel blocked in my stomach. I know I should call my surgeon but before I do I wanted to get an idea if anyone has felt this way. My bowel movements have changed dramatically; they were fairly normal and regular but now if it's not soft, it's just plain fluid! You would think with the diahrea that I'd be losing weight but I'm careful to eat what I should and drink my fluids. Also, a thought came to me that after I had my surgery, I never dumped with sugar. Now it seems that anytime I eat something with lots of sugar or even lactose, (except cheese and cottage cheese, thank goodness), it goes right through me. Could I have developed a sensitivity that I didn't have right after surgery? Could this be my problem? Anybody?? Thanks for your help before hand. Sandy    — Sandra S. (posted on April 21, 2008)

April 21, 2008
Sugar in anything and fat will go right through me as well, but my sergeon said that it is because I had a RNY and without the first third of my small instentine processing the sugar and fat cause my system to move more water to my bowels and rather than dumping, I flush it out. In your case I would call my surgeon and get his advise, and if he can help you get to a specialest that he can refer you to that deals in gastract illnesses. Just get checked out. You could have a small blockage that is causing your system to just now react. It might be in the large intestine. We all want to help, but unless there is a good doctor at on this site tonight, I would be on the phone first thing in the morning. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

April 21, 2008
Hello there, Get to the doctor to see what is going on with your BODY!!! From what you are saying there has to be something going on. I am Post-op RNY..............16 months out.......and I haven't really had any complicaitons. But, a friend of mine did have major complications. She had to have a few sugerys due to a blockage and a twistied intestence...........So, don't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get in to see your doctor and see if maybe you need to consult maybe a gastric doctor to help....... But, please take care of yourself first!!! Get to the doctor...... Ronda
   — Ronda C.

April 21, 2008
Go to your primary doctor! Just because you are have liquid stools, it does not mean you do not have a blockage! Also in the mean time do away with the sugar! Good Luck!
   — mary_rn

April 21, 2008
Sandy, The nurse in me was scared to see you use the term "blocked in my stomach". Don't wait and call your surgeon asap for some testing. Liquid stool can get around solid stool, so even if you don't think so and are having diarrhea- you could be "backed up" or constipated or have a bowel obstruction. The WLS patient in me can completely relate. I no longer could tolerate tap water- had to go to bottled and then to only distilled and I can no longer tolerate much lactose at all. I have changed to mostly soy and I have less diarrhea. Dumping- some people are very sensitive and dump easily, some people like a friend of mine can drink sweet tea (inappropriately) all day and has NEVER dumped once since RNY a year and a half ago. Different for everyone. Good luck. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

April 21, 2008
CALL THE DOCTOR NOW SANDY!!!! Linda
   — LindaA

April 22, 2008
You could have developed a sensitivity/intolerance since surgery... lactose is a sugar so it could be dumping. Also, some people become lactose intolerant as they get older, WLS or not. It's also possible that you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD... crohns, colitis, etc.). Are you taking anything for the diarrhea? You may want to try some fiber... metamucil, fibersure, benefiber. Fiber absorbs water so it may absorb some of the liquid you are passing and give you a firmer stool. It helps with constipation in the same way... it absorbs water which makes hard, dry stool easier to pass If you have a change in bowel habits that lasts more than a couple days, you need to get it checked out... so please contact your surgeon or pcp. Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee

April 22, 2008
The first thing that leaps to mind is a partial small bowel obstruction, because you are having only fluids pass. How soon can you get in?
   — vitalady