Question:
How long will this diarrha last? Can it be forever??

I am having liquid stools about 3-5 a day, started yesterday. I am 4 days post op. I stopped using milk to mix the drinks with and it made no difference. I called the doc and he put me on Benefiber. I'm just worried that this will be with me forever...like a side effect of the surgery.    — Rebecca H. (posted on March 3, 2003)

March 3, 2003
I can totally relate!! I had diarrhea from the minute I started the liquid diet until the minute I ate solid food. It was awful!! Everything I drank went right through me. It was definately temporary, though, so as soon as you start to add more solid foods (PLEASE wait until your surgeon gives you the go ahead!!), you should be feeling a lot better. There's just a certain percentage of us who end up with the runs while on a liquid diet. It sucks!! My only savior was the diaper wipes!
   — mandajuice

March 3, 2003
I agree with the previous poster. I am 19 days post-op and have seen a marked improvement in this area. While things are still not as firm as I'd like, I am definitely doing better on pureed regular food. It makes sense...if you're only putting liquids in (with no fiber), you shouldn't expect anything more substantial to come out. Try the Benefiber to help you now...you'll be fine.
   — Amy W.

March 3, 2003
Rebecca~~I had the same thing as a new post op and the Dr. told me to take Immodium. I did and that didnt help either. Finally he prescribed and antibiotic and a precription anti diarrhea meadication. Both of those did the trick. Dont wait take this seroiusly. I wish I would have pressed the issue sooner since I got really dehydrated by waiting. Good Luck!!!! Wendi Open RNY 9/19/02 down 100lbs
   — lovemonterey

March 3, 2003
I hope I don't sound snide - but what do you guys expect from your poor body??? You spent at least 24 hours pre-op fasting, and you're feeding it nothing but liquids, after having sliced and diced it? 4 days after surgery and you're worried about liquid stools? Think about what it's got to work with! I had liquid stools (green ones to boot) for about 7 - 9 days post op, 5-7 times per day. Honestly, the last thing I wanted was any kind of resistance on the way out :) They shifted to loose unformed stools days 10 - 20, and then to soft stools. Sipping on water constantly kept me from dehydrating. -Kate-
   — kateseidel