Question:
Flatulence problem!
This is sooooo embarrassing but I know I can't be the only one! What can be done about horribly offensive flatulence? My family is way grossed out at how awful it has become for me. It's painful to hold it in so what can I do? I've tried Beano and it didn't work. We all love to eat flavorful marinades, garlic, onions, etc. Is there anything on the market to take away flatulence odor? I seem to be the only one in my family with this problem. Any suggestions? — [Anonymous] (posted on February 13, 2002)
February 13, 2002
Hi. I will be 6 mos. post op on Sunday. I never had a problem with
flatulance until 2 mos. ago. Tomorrow I am having my gallbladder removed
(because of insuruance restrictions it could not be removed during rny).
My doc feels the flatulance is definately related to the gallbladder stones
I have (did not have them at rny). I have had gallbladder pain, but I have
also read that some people have "silent" gallstones that do not
cause pain. Perhaps you are a victim of this?
— Pamela F.
February 13, 2002
WOW!! I am so glad you asked this question! I am excited to see what
answers you get.And you are not alone I have gas sooooo bad!! I am 5 months
post and it just started a week ago. I am so embarrassed by it. I can not
control it. And it smells awful!! I have tried every over the counter drug
saying it will help. Nope, nothing. I get it even if I eat plain foods. So
I hope someone has some words of encouragement for all of us with this
lovely side effect.HEHE! Best of luck to you!
— nkoehler88
February 13, 2002
Ok I dont have an answer just a passing comment.(heehee) I am Pre Op and if
they get WORSE I will soon be living alone after the surgery. Even my dog
looks at me like "Ohhhh hell NO you are NOT blaming THAT on ME!"
Ok I am done now.....if ya find a good cure let me know......:0)
— Sassy M.
February 13, 2002
As I am pre op at this point, I can't say anything concerning this problem
as opposed to WLS. However, I did have my gallbladder removed a few years
ago, and I had HORRIBLE gas at that time. It was almost like a fog in the
house! LOL Before it was removed and for a short time there after,it was
BAD. When I healed, it eventually went away.Sheesh...I will be watching
additional posts to see if this is a permanent side effect of the surgery!
LOL
— ScatCat
February 13, 2002
Well, I'll be looking forward to seeing if anyone has a solution, but I
sure haven't found it. Doesn't seem to matter what I eat, dairy, garlic,
whatever...it's BAD. Not like before surgery. I've tried simethicon...the
gas relief chewables...no luck.
— Yvonne R.
February 13, 2002
HI ALL: I am almost 6 mos post op and OMG the gas has REALLY been bad for
me. My husband sleeps with the window open and a small fan blowing for
circulation, it's that bad!!! I find that when I eat too many carbs, the
gas is worse...when I ease up on the carbs, it is somewhat controllable and
not nearly as "smelly"....If I am sitting down for a long period
of time, the gas gets REALLY bad also, so I get up and move around quite a
bit. If traveling, I stop about 1 time per hour. Good luck to the rest of
you, much more gas for me and my husband says he's sleeping in the other
bedroom (LOL)....I don't blame him...It gags me too (LOL)
— Joi G.
February 13, 2002
Pay attention to what you ate prior to the gaseous episodes. I've also
found that carbs cause gas. Also cheese/dairy for those that are lactose
intolerant (may not cause pain or diarrhea but may cause gas). Do some
experimenting. Have a day of mostly protein and measure your gas-o-meter.
Then the next day load up on carbs and see what happens (pick a day where
you'll be at home with not too many people around :-) Good luck and God
Bless!
— Kimberly L.
February 13, 2002
Have you tried charcoal pills? Just like charcoal inserts for our shoes to
soak up the "stink", charcoal also comes in pill form. Charcoal
is a natural absorbent of gases and toxins in the GI tract... It cuts down
on flatulence, bloating, and the "stink". Charcoal pills can be
found at GNC or www.peachtreenaturalfoods.com. The best brands are Twin
Labs and Nature's Way. These two companies put out the best quality
product.
— juliehedges
February 13, 2002
No you are not the only one!!!! I too "had" the same issue....
if you cut your carbs in at least 1/2.... like only 50 grams a day... and
make sure your protein is high....above 65.... you will notice a huge
difference. I keep my levels at these amounts and the problem is
completely gone. I have notices that as soon as I let my carbs get high
then the smell is back!!! My carbs are spent on fruits and the small
amounts in veggies and salad dressings... an occasional lite bread or
rice...one to two servings a week. Good luck to you!!!!
— Pamela W.
February 13, 2002
I agree with the most recent posters. Carbs are NOT our friends anymore.
Took me awhile to understand that as I had the BPD/DS and could eat
basically anything I wanted. Sure I could and then the family would die of
asphixiation. Control the carbs and you might be able to control the gas.
I tryed all the remedies and none worked...charcoal, beano etc. Diet is
the culprit and remember that fruits and veggies also have carbs
so....watch the count.
— Barbara H.
February 13, 2002
I also had excessive gas after my DS surgery. The odor was controlled by
Devrom, but the frequency was not. I and many others started a course of
Flagyl (antibiotic) to kill the bad bacteria in your gut and now I only
have gas maybe once or twice a day usually only before a BM. I haven't
re-started the Devrom either and the smell is tolerable. You should also
take acidophillus as the Flaygl will kill the good bacteria (acidophillus)
as well as the bad bacteria.
— Anita N.
February 13, 2002
Stay off of all dairy..milk, cottage cheese, hard cheese, cream cheese,
yogurt anything for 2 weeks and see if there is any improvement. My
daughter became lactose intolerant after having dental surgery...we make
sure she doesn't eat any dairy product it is murder if she does. If that
isn't your problem there are sprays to carry in your purse that eliminates
( sort of ) the odor to make it more tolerable without masking it like air
fresheners do. You can find them in most stores even ace hardware sells
them. Good luck.
— Diane Z.
February 14, 2002
You are not alone! I had this problem too. I found that flatulence
and smelly stools were directly related to my carb consumption. If I
control my carbs, I don't have either problem. This being Valentine's
Day...I've eaten two pieces of cake and three chocolates today......my
dog will not be pleased! (lol)
— [Anonymous]
February 15, 2002
Devrom (available online at www.parthenoninc.com) is highly effective at
eliminating the odor of both flatulence and stools. Dosage varies - some
people take 1 - 2 daily, some need to take 2 with every meal. Dietary
culprits, as mentioned, may be enough. Try restricting dairy, and then
wheat products, as they are the most common causes of smelly gas. I know
several people who have had good results with a course of Flagyl, followed
by daily doses of acidophilus. -Kate-
— kateseidel
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