Question:
I hate asking this, but what should Bowel Movements

I have searched all over for some kind of answers to this but is what I have normal? I am hoping the red color I saw two days ago was simply "red die no. 5" due to the popsicles and punch I have been drinking. I am two weeks post op and it is like black tar, now. Sorry to be so graphic, but I am concerned. I have no pain.    — Karen R. (posted on August 9, 2000)

August 9, 2000
Black tarry stools are an indication of blood in your stools. I would not delay in contacting your surgeon as soon as possible. This could be very serious. And you could become anemic very quickly. Please do not delay and even wait till morning. Call now!!! to wait to have pain could be too late. I am not trying to scare you but it should not be minimized either. It is better to be safe than sorry.
   — [Anonymous]

August 9, 2000
YOU SHOULD GET AHOLD OF YOUR SURGEON JUST FOR SAFETY SAKE. YOU COULD HAVE GI BLEED > GOOD LUCK SHIRLEY C.
   — Shirley C.

August 9, 2000
Shall I add my voice to the "call your doctor"? After that is done and they are certain there is no blood, you might want to check your iron supplement. Ferrous sulfate is not absorbed by RNY, so many will get "tar poop", since the iron is merely sloughed off. Once your doc has determined that all is working as it should, you might try swtiching to ferrous fumarate or carbonyl irons, which are more readily abosorbed. They're not more expensive, you just have to work a little harder at reading labels!
   — vitalady

August 9, 2000
I had the same problem and even thought the same as you about red die. It turned out to be a bleeding ulcer on suture line. Call your doctor now. Black tarry stools are a sign of bleeding. I ended up getting 6 units of blood and now I am on Prevacid
   — snicklefritz