Question:
I am 2 wks post-opt - How long will my stool be black?

   — Randy Childers (posted on February 16, 2001)

February 15, 2001
Hi...it took me several weeks to return to normal for me color stools. Also the odor improves with time, but give yourself a couple more weeks & also ask your surgeon for his comments. Black stools after a couple of weeks could indicate internal bleeding my surgeon told me, but once again...the black is normal initially. Good luck, Thom <77> Open RNY 10/18/00.
   — Thom C.

February 15, 2001
Black stools can definately be a sign of bleeding but on a more common theme is that iron supplements can also cause the stools to be black.
   — Helen B.

February 16, 2001
My stools were never black, not even during the first couple of weeks postop. It might be a good idea to call your surgeon and ask about it.
   — Kellie L.

April 20, 2001
I was SO taken aback the first day after I started my vitamins and protein supplements to find I had black stool/diarrhea but in my case it is the extra iron. It can most certainly be a sign of bleeding tho too.. hope this helps love, shari drny 4/10/01
   — Shari F.

May 15, 2001
I had black tarry stools right away after surgery, then got weak and thought I had the flu 3 weeks post-surgery. I finally went to the ER after really restless legs and discovered I'd been bleeding at the point wherer the new stomach meets the new intestine. My hemoglobin count was so low that they were surprised I was conscious. I didn't know black tarry stools were symptomatic of blood leaks, and I am only grateful I went to have myself checked. Hope you did too. Good luck. Tina
   — Tina B.

March 13, 2002
I had what I thought was diarrhea for the four days I was in the hospital. The stool was very dark red and the consistency of pudding. The nurse told me that passing blood was normal for all intestine surgeries. They had me on Lovenox shots for the first two days in case of clots and then stopped. The "diarrhea" continued until one week post op and now it feels great not to have gut problems.
   — Sue L.

September 29, 2002
It took me 5 weeks for the stool to return to normal
   — willcra

November 26, 2002
A few nights ago, I had black stool that was extremely foul smelling. I didn't know what it was and didn't do anything about it. The next day it happened again except this time I was feeling extremely faint. Anyway, I went into the ER and found out that I had a gastric ulcer that was bleeding. They managed to remove the ulcer and stop the bleeding using a scope. They also had to pump in 12 units of blood! If you have black, foul smelling stool, PLEASE rush yourself to the Emergency Room! Don't wait to talk to your doctor!
   — Euler U.