Question:
Diarrhea

I am one month out from a distal Lap-RNY and I have had diarrhea for the past 5 days or so. I went to the Library section of this website and am beginning to wonder if diarrhea is common for us distal patients. I get in all my water, about 40 grams of protein per day at this point, and am taking all my BP meds and vitamins including 2 chewable vits, 3 calcium tabs @ 400mg each, Feosol (ingredients included "Dried Ferrous Sulfate 200mg (65mg elemental iron) equivalent to 325mg Ferrous Sulfate per tab.") taken every other day, zinc, Biotin, & a Pepcid Complete, all taken at various times of day. I'm going to call my surgeon on Monday and ask if I should be alarmed or should do anything, but in the meantime, is diarrhea a common side effect for us who've had the distal RNY??    — thumpiez (posted on February 15, 2003)

February 15, 2003
I had diarrhea for 9 days so bad I didn't dare go out of the house or more then 10 feet from the restroom I called the doctor and was told it could be a reaction from the new foods I was adding I'm not sure what it was but it seemed to be related to drinking crystal light I would have a glass and it would start in again I stoped drinking the stuff and I haven't had it since I was 31/2 weeks when it started I will be two months post op on the 19th I'm not sure about the distal part I don't know if I am considered distal or not I had 100cm bypassed
   — kathy B.

February 15, 2003
Yes, diarrhea is a common side-effect of the distal RNY, as well as the DS. Fortunately, your new system will adapt and the problem usually goes away by the sixth month post-op. It can continue to be a problem if you eat high-fat foods, though. So keep the fat to a minimum.
   — artistmama