Question:
How common a problem is diahrrea post op? A friend works for a prominent internist

. She told him I am considering WLS. She says his comment was, "Is she crazy? Does she want to have diahrrea, gall stones, and kidney stones for the rest of her life?" I often read the Q&A on this site so I know diahrrea is a problem for some people, but do most post ops have it and is it something we have to deal with for the rest of our lives. My gall bladder will be removed so I am not concerned about gall stones, but I have never read about kidney stones being an issue. Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond.    — Judith A. (posted on August 31, 2001)

August 31, 2001
I had Lap RNY on 6/8/01, Before the surgery I had diahrrea several times a week, and it hasn't gotten any better, or worse since surgery. I had my gallbladder removed years ago, so that's not a problem. As for Kidney stones, I had those pre-op also, but my Doctor told me that most of my flare ups of stones were caused from not drinking enough water. Since surgery I drink 60+ oz of water a day, and have not had any problems with kidney stones. Each person is different, but myself, I have not had any problems that would make me change my mind about the surgery.
   — Gail M.

August 31, 2001
Don't listen to that woman. First of all if you still have your gall bladder and it's diseased they remove it during the surgery. Even if they don't all you have to do to prevent gall stones is drink all of your water (which you're supposed to do anyway)Secondly, I used to have diahrrea constantly before my surgery in February and I haven't had it since.
   — Meredith A.

August 31, 2001
I think the diarrhea depends on the kind of surgery you have. I had a lap RNY (proximal) and only had some diarrhea while on the liquid diet. I have heard that with other surgeries (DS or distal RNY) diarrhea may be more of a problem depending on how well or poorly you eat. As far as the gall bladder, many people who are overweight already have problems with it. My surgeon told me he always looks at it while he's in there and if it looks like it may develop problems, out it comes. I still have mine, BTW. It sounds to me like the internist either had a patient with a bad experience (as did my PCP) or has not researched the issue out thoroughly. In any case, he probably does not have a weight problem complete with comorbids that are probably worse than gallstones. My advice would be to do your own research, make your own decision, and don't listen to those nasty, offhand comments that people make.
   — ctyst

August 31, 2001
Not all distals have diarrhea, though lots of people use that to scare people off from it. Shoot, I'd pay extra for a little D. Gall stones are a hazard of obesity, rapid wt loss, too much fat in diet, not enough fat in diet. Hopefully, yours will go away with the surgery. Kidney stones ARE a real threat for us. Most WLS take Tums or other carbonate calcium, which we cannot absorb. But the blood work looks good and it stores nicely in the kidneys. Drinking mega-water helps, but calcium citrate (vs carbonate) can help, too. There just are no guarantees in life. Normies have gall stones (mine was gone by age 23), normies have kidney stones, my dad at age 60 or so, and normies have the D. I did constantly pre-op. However, depending on sick you are now, you may not live to even learn about these issues. I wasn't too hapy with my kidney stone (3 yrs postie, lots of calcium carbonate -wrong kind, lots of iced tea, bad, bad, bad), BUT at least I lived to whine about it. The D is a matter of learning process. Some people could eat a stick a butter and never pass it. Others cannot have a speck of fat. Most do better without lactose and other sugars, as they ferment & explode. Picturesque? We've all heard the stories of the "woman my friend knew who had 'that' done and now she's EVEN fatter than before". Unless this person is living with it herself, or with a person who has a modern day version, then um, no, she speaks from fear, not from knowledge.
   — vitalady

September 1, 2001
I have had diarrhea since my surgery a year ago. My Dr prescribed Questrian Powder which I take with apple sauce or yogurt and it workes great, but without this It is just uncontrollable. Good Luck Carol Mikels
   — Carol M.