Question:
Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with gas?

I am 13 days post-op and finding my biggest problem is with gas. How do I reduce the gas in my system. Also, how many grams of protein should we be taking in each day? Thanks for your responses.    — Donna B. (posted on March 21, 2000)

March 21, 2000
Donna, If you are drinking milk, you might want to try lactaid milk instead. And, don't use powdered milk as a protein supplement. I know the lactose in regular milk and powdered milk make me very gassy. Lactose intolerance is pretty common after WLS too. My doctor told me to get 72 grams of protein a day, but it depends on your body size, and what kind of surgery you had.
   — Lynn K.

March 21, 2000
Ava - Some people report that Lactaid milk tastes different, most say it's the same flavor as ordinary milk. It comes in whole, 2%, 1% and fat-free versions. If people dislike the flavor and want to drink ordinary milk, lactase tablets help a lot. Some are very tiny and easily swallowed. Others can be chewed, like a Tums. The Dairy Care brand is taken once a day, others you take right before you eat lactose-rich foods. There's no reason anyone who wants to eat soft dairy foods should be denied because of lactose intolerance.
   — Duffy H.

March 21, 2000
A heating pad under your lower back area helps to move gas also. It also can provide some relief in the meantime.
   — Shar /.

March 21, 2000
Ava, Lactaid milk does taste different than regular milk. They use an enzyme called lactase to break the lactose molecules up. When the lactose molecule is broken in half, it leaves one glucose molecule and one galactose molecule. These two sugars taste sweeter than lactose, and they have a different "mouth feel" than lactose. I think the 1% or 2% lactaid milk tastes better than the skim probably because the milk fat covers up some of the changed taste. All you can do is try some different brands and see if you like them or not.
   — Lynn K.

August 16, 2002
Have you tried Devrom tablets/capsules??
   — Jason M.

November 19, 2002
<b> <font color="red"> <u> GAS PROBLEMS! </font> </u> <font color="blue">I have had gas problems since surgery. Now since I lost lots of weight and I want to be more sociable, I have not been able to because of gas. You know the smelly type. Not no more. About a month ago I discovered a product called Devrom. It is an internal deodorant. And it works. It not only cuts down on my gas by at least 80%, but the other 15% doesn't smell any more. I would like to say it worked 100% of the time but I am happy with the 95% less gas. I can eat more carbohydrates now. Before Devrom I could not eat any without getting gas. Hope this is not to gross of a subject, but for those who are having trouble, it is great. I buy mine from <u> www.wlssuccess.com</u> Kristiina has a great support group and many great products for WLS patients. My thought are with all of you pre-ops and post-ops. I read this page daily. Thank you for being the wonderful people you are.
   — blank first name B.