Question:
I had Open RNY on 1/5/00.since yesterday watery bowel movements

my stomach rumbbles loud almost constantly and i have frequent watery stools,I'v only been taking clear liq. no surgar or milk products yet so i don't know whats wrong any help would be appreciated, Lisa    — Lisa C. (posted on January 10, 2000)

January 9, 2000
immodium a-d. whats happening to you is very common. Expect it to last 3-4 weeks. you will eventually return to normal. Just know that as you eat less you have bowel movements less. If you went daily before, now you may only have them every 7-10 days. of course that is when you do start eating some solids. If you want to ask any other questions e-mail me at [email protected] I had my surgery 11-11-99, lost 45 #s so far. welcome to the other side. Later, Laurie
   — laurie H.

January 9, 2000
Mine were the same way, in fact, everytime I went to the pot to urinate, I had diareah as well. I was worried about it at the time, but everything was ok.
   — Susan F.

January 10, 2000
I am assuming that since your surgery was on the 5th that the watery bowel movements were also your first after the surgery. It is normal. If all you are taking in are liquids then of course the waste products they produce will be liquid too. As your diet gets firmer so will the BMs. Constipation can be a problem after you start on regular food but it depends on your fiber intake. If you use beans as your protien occasionally or have salad then you will be more regular than if you just have meat. Just keep in mind that Regular is considered from everyday to every third day. If you are only going once a week you may want to look at adding fiber to your diet. ~:o)
   — Lisa O.

January 10, 2000
I had a similar problem after an open RNY in October. The nutritionist suggested that I cut down on the amount of apple juice I was drinking, and that helped.
   — [Anonymous]

January 10, 2000
Hi Lisa, That is just your system turning back on. You will have that for a few days. It should stop once you start adding more pureed foods (protein) to your diet. Good luck!
   — Marjie W.

January 10, 2000
Hi Lisa: Congratulations on your surgery. You've gotten some good advice here. The one bit of information that I would be concerned about is the BM every 7-10 days. That is not normal, under any circumstances, and can create a dangerous medical situation for you. If your BMs are that infrequent, you need to discuss that with your physician as soon as possible. I am 5 1/2 months post-op, and still get the stomach rumbles you describe. Loose stools immediately after the surgery, that is, for several weeks or until you are eating solid foods, should be expected. Good luck with your weight loss! Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal RNY 7-29-99, 88 pounds gone forever!
   — Jaye C.

June 10, 2003
I just had my 4 week follow up with the surgeron and I have the same problem. He said the loose stool is because of the bile acids in the intestines. He gave me a RX for Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension USP. Its a powder that you mix with water and take once a day. He assured me that would clear it up without a doubt. I took my first dose today. So we'll see what happens. And just FYI I had RNY Open.
   — Mike W.

June 10, 2003
My mother had the same problem and has yet to have the weight loss surgery. However, she did have her gallbladder removed years ago. Her doctor told her about the same medication Mike spoke of and she has been taking it with great success.
   — Rhonda V.