Question:
Pale or clay colored stool

Hi, I'm a little over 3 weeks out and sorry to post about a not so pleasant topic. Was wondering if it's normal to have pale or clay colored stool? I looked up some info. about it on the internet and there are all kinds of scary illnesses that can cause this so I'm worried. Thanks!    — Svet N. (posted on November 30, 2003)

November 30, 2003
That is the way mine were/are.
   — Shannon L.

November 30, 2003
I believe the color of fat in the body is yellow. On tv when they show it it is, so it makes sense to me that our stools may lighten and look clayish. When I see them I think of all the fat leaving my body, now THAT makes me happy!
   — Delores M.

November 30, 2003
My doctor explained to me that this was very common so that I wouldn't be surprised. I'm two months post-op and still not "normal. I have been told that it can take up to six months or so for the stool to return to "normal."
   —  SCbabe B.

November 30, 2003
I call it the lovely shade of khaki!!!!! I am 9 months out and it is still that way.
   — Fixnmyself

November 30, 2003
Yup Yup me too !! You would not believe the colors- can't be my gallbladder, thats been gone over 6 years now :)
   — WABBIT F.

November 30, 2003
i'm just over one year post op and mine changed to a light shade and continue to be since my rny. they are also softer than pre op but not diarea. i think your normal. kimberly open distal rny 11/12/02 -130lbs
   — kimberly T.

December 3, 2003
consistency and color of peanut butter.....nuf said
   — Michelle_S

December 4, 2003
One cause of off-white or pale stools is incorrect liver function. The brown color of stools comes from two substances made in the liver, bilirubin (red) and biliverdin (green). If the liver isn't functioning correctly, the stools can be missing those pigments.<p>Liver functions should be checked in your normal postop bloodwork, so just request a "checkup" and if that's the problem it will show up.
   — ctyst