Question:
Please help! Constant diarrhea and fowl smelling
I am 3 weeks post op and have had constant diarrhea for the last 2 weeks which has a horrible smell and I have so much gas. I am currently taking simeticone as often as recommended and it only helps some. When ever I smell food I have to go to the bathroom. Why is this happening and will it go away. Please, any information is welcomed. I'm terrified I will remain this way. — Rebecca L. (posted on April 7, 2003)
April 7, 2003
HI! You and I are in the same boat, so to speak. A friend of mine who had
surgery in August 2002 says that he is constipated and doesn't go but maybe
once a week or up to ten days. I now have softer than normal bowel
movements up to three times a day some days. Usually every one to one and
half weeks, I will have diarrhea so bad that I don't think it will ever
stop. Everyone is different. I had so much diarrhea the first few weeks
postop that I didn't think it was ever going to let up. It did and it will
for you. If it becomes more of a serious problem for you or you feel
concerned about it, please ask your surgeon or doctor. Just keep in mind
that everybody is different and this may be the norm for you. Good luck to
you on your journey! Daphine (open RNY on 01/13/03 - Down 40 pounds and
down 4-5 dress sizes).
— Daphine C.
April 7, 2003
Thanks for your reply Dalphine but what about the smell? Will that go away
as well? Is there anything I can take to eleviate the odor?
Thanks again.
Rebecca
— Rebecca L.
April 7, 2003
Hi, Rebecca. I'm 3 weeks post-op tomorrow....helllloooo sista! Beginning
last Tuesday, I have diarhhea every morning...gold in
color...gggrrroooossss! Not too smelly, I just flush immediately. After I
have breakfast, within 5 minutes to 60 minutes I get the Big D again.
That's it for the day...every day....same story. If you're going all day,
maybe you need to check in with your surgeon. I only take gas-x and Nexium
every day (and vitamins). Good luck!
— msmaryk
April 7, 2003
Hi there - I am 5 weeks post-op today. I had diarrhea the 1st couple of
weeks but now I don't "go" more than once or twice a week. My
doctor and nutritionist insist that we take Zinc 50 mg twice a day - it
helps to decrease the odor in BM's- it also helps the healing process and
helps maintain healthy hair. Please try it-- it works !!! KW
— Kewpidoll
April 7, 2003
Hi, sorry to hear about the diarrhea. I know it's frustrating. There is a
internal deodorant out there called Devrom. It is designed specifically
for the bariatric patient. It was initially manufactured for ostomy
patients but was then modified to work for bariatric patients who often
experience bad breath, stinky BMs and smelly "toots". This is
usually due to ketosis. Anyway, tons of folks in my support group use it
and really like it. Feel free to email me if you need some help finding
it! Best wishes to you!
— ronascott
April 7, 2003
As you add more foods to your diet and your body heals the smell will
change to something normal based on what you eat. I find I have a lot more
gas when I eat a lot of dairy products--and even more if I let carbs sneak
their ugly heads into my diet. Any of the sugar-free foods that substitute
sugar alcohols for sugar will give one gas and the trots. I found
sugar-free jelly bellies at the Sweet Stop. Let me tell you I have LOST
those again. The gas hurt worse than my RNY. Simethecon, activated
charcoal, and time worked best for me.
— phoebe
April 7, 2003
I am only a week post-op and have the same problem. If it goes on for a few
weeks, we are supposed to call because the Doc says that right now it is
normal. Vitamins make the BM smell. Search the old postings and you will
see alot on this. You may want to check milk. Try going out with it for 24
hours. Some people become lactose intolerant post surgery. My Dr's manual
suggests staying away from milk from 24-48 hrs to see if it helps. Lactose
intolerance causes gas and the runs. GOOD LUCK !!!
— M B.
April 7, 2003
Please be careful about your diarrhea..i just got out of the hospital for
being dehydrated after a large bout of diarrhea. keep drinking your water.
— Alexandria D.
April 8, 2003
One thing about this site...ANYTHING is fair game. I love you all for it!
Everyone's experiences have helped me so very much.
God Bless each of you!!!
— Diane S.
April 8, 2003
Well, aside from the obvious culprit, milk, what about other sugars?
Applesauce? Yogurts? Cereals? Sometimes those cut you loose. You are not
distal, right?
— vitalady
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