Question:
Answers from Post-OP's Please!!!!

Can anyone who has had the WLS and has either Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis or Irritable Bowel disease tell me how the WLS effected it? Thank you!!!    — Patricia H. (posted on April 25, 2002)

April 24, 2002
Hi, I have irritable bowel disease. I found that since I have had my surgery, it is a lot better. Probably because I dont eat as much sugar. When I did experiment and eat some sugar, it was hard to tell if I was dumping or having my usual irritable bowel episode. I think that if you stick to the recommended diet, it will probably cause you to not have so many flare ups. Good luck!! p.s. I researched this before I had my surgery and found that a lot of people say their symptoms get a lot better afterwards also.
   — Cory F.

April 25, 2002
I suffered from IBS. It would keep me up a lot of nights/early mornings with cramping so bad it felt almost like labor. I never figured out what would set it off, it seemed very random. But since surgery, I am free of IBS, horray! I have dumped once on sunflower seeds, don't ask me why, but the dumping was very similar to my IBS episodes. Nothing else effects me that way. Sugar may, but I haven't tried sugar in large quantities so not sure. 5 mo. post-op. Good luck!
   — Cheri M.

April 25, 2002
I have had IBS for 25+ years. I have notice a little improvement since the surgery which was only 3 1/2 weeks ago. However, the IBS is one of the main reasons I chose the Roux-en-Y instead of the DS, I didn't need anything that could give me more gas or upset tummy. I hope things will improve more once I begin eating more normal food.
   — Dianne C.

April 25, 2002
I, too, had IBS since I was a young girl. I had lap rny 10-8-01 and IBS is gone, gone, gone. I am normal!!! No more running to the bathroom, hoping I make it there in time. Life is good!
   — Kandie M.

April 25, 2002
I am speaking for my wife who is 1 yr. post op. (Im 8 weeks) She has both colitis and Irritable bowel and her problems have somewhat improved. Most likely due to her new diet and not as a direct result of the RNY. Her IB used to bother her after eating spicy or greasy foods. Her colitis (although not ulcerative) primarily just strikes up after heavy use of antibiotics, which they were aware of when she had surgery and used antibiotics that are less of a problem.
   — Dell H.

April 25, 2002
I supposedly had IBS for years. I suspect NOW that it was lactose intolerance. But in any case, it was gone immediately after surgery.
   — vitalady

April 25, 2002
Just to add a litle hunour, I had IBS BAD and migraines for years, I had one of those horrible (with no drugs,) colonoscopies done. while doc watched the monitor, all he had to day was "Wow, u have one of the most spastic colons I've ever seen...." Thanks, Doc!! Got rid of both problems when I got a divorce from my ex and his family. LOL No other treatment had helped at all! LMAO!! Donna In AL
   — Donna S. C.

June 4, 2003
I can tell you that I have Crohn's and before surgery was almost in a constant "Active" phase. Now that I am 10 months post op that I have only had 2 acctive phases and they only lasted a few days! I think that what has helped me is the less food, and the fact that the food I am taking in is way healthier! Good luck to you!
   — iluvmy3byz