Question:
Milk intolerance - How do you know you now have this post-op?

I have been using Optimum Nutrition whey protein powders, and mixing it with skim milk. The last one I drank I felt EXTREMELY nauseated afterwards. I tried another protein drink (this one was already mixed and bottled) - Carb Solutions. I felt it to be a good choice because it has less sugar than the skim milk I've been using. I just drank all I could from one bottle (about 6-7 ounces) and became so ill I threw up for the first time. I mean I hurt in my gut really bad! I read on the packaging and found that the protein in Carb Solutions is from milk protein concentrate. So... is it possible that I can not tolerate the milk? Pre-op I loved and tolerated milk. Any info on post-op milk intolerance would be helpful. Thanks.    — Malinda M. (posted on May 16, 2001)

May 16, 2001
hI, I Loved Milk pre-op....Once I was post-op and home a few days later I did my protien mix (Pro blend 55) with Milk and I got sick to my stomach and I had Diaherra really bad, at first I said to myself Whats up with this, After several atemps I stop with the milk and started mixing my protien with water and I do longer get sick. after a month I thought ok let me try this again maybe this was because it was only within 2 weeks after sugery so I did it again and watched myself yelp within 1/2 hr I got sick again. So I no longer have Milk period. I take my vitamin to supplement the calcuim. Hope this helps DREAMS DO COME TRUE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVES Jay
   — jay B.

May 16, 2001
My daughter developed lactose intolerance 3 weeks after her RNY. She had always loved dairy products pre-op, and continued to have alot of those products in her diet post-op. She began to experience severe abdominal cramping, accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, and blood in her stools, after drinking milk or protein supplements mixed in milk. Our surgeon prescribed a medication to control the diarrhea and cramping and instructed her to eliminate all dairy from her diet for 48 hours. She was completely symptom-free within 48 hours. He determined at that time that she was lactose-intolerant and suggested that she wait 3 months before attempting to introduce any dairy products back into her diet. She was told that approximately 30% of RNY patients become lactose intolerant and that some "outgrow" it and others remain intolerant for the remainder of their lives. She is 16 months post-op and still unable to eat or drink dairy products unless she takes Lactaid tablets before a meal or buys lactose-free milk. However, she feels that it has been a tiny price to pay in exchange for the 190 lbs lost and the new life she has gained.
   — Diana T.

May 16, 2001
It's certainly possible that you are not tolerating milk. Many adults do not by age 40, anyway. So, no loss. Have you tried your Opti with water? You can maybe put a Tbsp of non-dairy creamer like Mocha Mix in there for the richness thing, without adding substanitally to the sugars or calories. I haven't done milk for 7 yrs.
   — vitalady

March 16, 2004
Milk makes me so sick even now at 20 months post-op. I can't tell you how THRILLED I was to see the new low-carb "milk" (actually called a dairy beverage) by Carb Countdown in my mom's fridge the other day. It's actually very good. Even the chocolate only has 3 carbs per serving. Not quite the same as "real" milk, but a heck of a lot better than drinking the real thing and getting sick!
   — K. Joyce Smith