Question:
Abdominal cramping whats going on

I have had abdominal pain with diarhea for 1 1/2 days, it seemed to have stopped this evening. Now I was up around 5 am with a really bad stomach ache. Although I did have a loose stool, diarhea doesn't seem to be the case at this point. Is this normal or part of the healing process at 12 days out/ open rny? Would appreciate your input, and thanks in advance...M.E.    — Myrna E. (posted on September 29, 2003)

September 28, 2003
....I take that back, loose stools are a factor also.
   — Myrna E.

September 29, 2003
I've had the same thing on and off.. I'm thinking it is normal, since everything just got moved around and re-routed... Call your surgeon, just to make sure... Loose stools are very common in WLS patients, in-fact it's the norm.... Take Care
   — baybekmbrly

September 29, 2003
Man, I'm having the same symptoms right now and I will be 10 months post op the 30th. I have never had any problems before. It's like my intestines are spasming out! My appetite seems okay, but when I eat it's like it was at first. I need VERY little food. Lots less than I am used to. The weight is really dropping again. I am about 40 lbs from goal. I am not a dumper and I eat like I am supposed to. I thought once you were past the healing stage, these things were uncommon. My imagination runs rampant. I wonder if I'm coming unstapled or there's a stricture or blockage. I had plans to call my surgeon today, but things seem better now...except the quantity of food I eat. To me THAT is strange. Why would I desire LESS food than the LESS food I have been eating????
   — Ginger M.

September 29, 2003
Just as before surgery, we all have days where something we normally eat with no problems, just doesn't sit right. Before surgery I had IBS irritable bowel syndrom and if I went out to eat I couldn't make plans to do anything afterwards unless I knew where every bathroom was. It was very embarrassing. I still have days where some foods I eat just rumble through me. I can be constipated for 2-3 days, then all of a sudden my stomache is cramping with gas and usually I end up having a very loose stool and/or diarhea. (Sometimes I can push on my stomach and feel the gas moving around). I could understand it more if it was spicy, greasy, or even sweet foods, but sometimes it's when I have a protein drink. Let's face it, we have different plumbing now and it could be as simple (or complex) as eating two foods within a certain time frame that react to cause IBS. It never hurts to call your Dr and fill him/her in on what's going on, don't ever let advice/info received here cause you from seeking medical help if you are concerned, but in the same sense, we have to keep in mind that we ARE re-routed and things are supposed to effect us differently, it takes time to learn what our new bodies can handle. Be at peace with the changes and listen to your body. I have found it helpful to monitor my habits, what I'm eating, when, volume, my mood and have found that 9 out of 10 times, it is the way my life is now, not the surgery. If you are ever in doubt that it just doesn't feel normal, please call your surgeon, it's never a dumb question when it comes to your health and sometimes, it may just be something new that they learn also.
   — Dana B.