Question:
Why can'y I tolerate milk?

I am 3 months post-op and I am finding that if I eat some foods I can eat more and some foods I can eat less. And if I go out to eat I don't eat hardly anything, but at home I eat more. It's kind of weird. And then the "getting in the protein" is killing me. Ever since I have had my surgery I can not tolerate milk! Skim, 1%, 2%, and Whole. I've tried them all and when I do I get sick as a dog. Why is this. Before my surgery I was a big milk drinker and now...Uh Help    — Brittany H. (posted on July 14, 2005)

July 14, 2005
Hey Brittany, It is very common for people to become lactose intolerant after this surgery. More people than not, that I talk to are not able to drink milk. The can eat cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt etc...but not milk. As far as protein goes...Nectar brand protein powders are fruit juice flavored and are meant to be mixed with water and they are pretty good. They have about 8 different flavors. God's blessings to you! Dave Open RNY:4-15-05:500/386
   — David B.

July 14, 2005
Brittany, I am the same way as you are I am also 3 mo's post-op and girlfriend let me tell you. It is real crazy but that is how things work. I have tried dairy eas and it did not work either I can cook with it but not milk. I also can not eat chicken either so that is also crazy. I now drink soy milk and it works great. As far as the protein I eat foods that have it in them so that helps with that I also drink a shake for breakfest and lunch then dinner. If you need anything feel free to ask. my personal e-mail is [email protected]. Take Care. Rita
   — ritamytweety

July 14, 2005
Yup, should have been on the documentation you got from your surgeon pre-op. Lactose intolerance is common post-op. Angie http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 14, 2005
Brittany, Many people find that they can not tolerate milk especially right after surgery. 3mo out is still very new. You may beable to tolerate it fine later on. I still bloat if I drinkt to much of it or drink it late at night. Also if I drink it after eating certain things. Give yourself time though your tummy is still very new. You will find that you will beable to tolerate a lot of things the further out you get. Just keep trying it every now and then. You may never beable too. Its normal with milk though because of the milks naterual sugar Lactose. There are many bypass patients that can not tolerate it after surgery. Its totally normal. As far as getting all of your protine in. That is something that is nearly impossible to do also when you are a new post-op just be patient give your tummy time to heal. You will start to be able to eat more now that you are three months out... It's ok not to be able to get it all in at first.. Its not the end of the world I dont know why surgery staff dont tell people this. As your stomach heals though you will be able to get it all in dont worry. I am 3 yrs post op and I have many family and friends and i belong to a support group all who have had the bypass and not ONE has ever been able to get all of thier protine in at the beginning.
   — Jo_Michalko

July 15, 2005
food no longer passes thru the stomach, and as each food needs to "mate" with its "digester", milk can no longer meet with its mate. Altho a few tolerate milk very well, 80% of adults do not tolerate milk anyway, due to the absence of this enzyme. No big deal as we don't need milk after age 5 anyway. it has very little useable protein or calcium in it for an adult body, but it has a load of sugar. i've not had milk (do have dairy) since 1994, and get my protein via supplement that mixes with water. really, milk is no loss to you.
   — vitalady

July 18, 2005
I was the same way. Couldn't tolerate it after surgery and still can't after 3 years post op. Can't even tolerate milk products like ice cream and some yogurts. I talked to my dietician and she suggested soy milk. It's really very tasty. Haven't had any problems with it at all.
   — aprilbaree