Question:
My surgeon said that lactose intolerance has nothing to do with surgery???

He said that if you are not lactose intolerant before surgery, you will not become lactose intolerant. I've noticed however, that there are tons of people who have. My second question is why do some people become lactose intolerant after weeks or even months after surgery??    — Amber F. (posted on January 8, 2003)

January 8, 2003
mine said the opposite, and I sure suffer from that.
   — elaine27

January 8, 2003
The part of the stomach (and the food going thru the stomach) that broke down the lactose into what little calcium & protein is now bypassed. Many adults are already lactose intolerant, since what little enzyme we had is often gone by childhood end. Why later, you mean, and not the day after? I think it takes some awhile to isolate the problem. And for the general population, they may not actualy develop lactose intolerance until later. It's as the enzymes are no longer available to break down the sugar.
   — vitalady

January 8, 2003
Our bariatric surgeon states that 30% of RNY patients develop some degree of lactose intolerance post-op....some right away, and some a few weeks after the surgery....and for the reason that Michelle stated. My daughter developed lactose intolerance at 3 weeks post-op. She is now 3 years post-op, and it has improved slightly, but still is a problem. She uses Lactaid milk for drinking and cooking, and carries Lactaid tablets with her for those occasions when she is eating out, and that has worked out fine for her. The other four members of our family that have had RNY surgery never have had any problems with lactose intolerance at all. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

January 9, 2003
Yes, Michelle explained it well (as she so often does). I had lactose intolerance after surgery for the first couple of months, mostly just with milk though (I could eat cheese and yogurt). The milk doesn't bother me now unless I am dumb enough to snitch a piece of chocolate at the same time or right before or after having some milk (did this at Christmas time, oh ouch the rumbly in my tummy!). - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -104lbs.
   — Anna L.

January 9, 2003
I don't mean to argue with your doctor, but I never had a problem with milk products before surgery. About 3 weeks after surgery, I became very intolerant to milk products. I'm now four months out and can't tolerate milk or yogurt at all. I can handle a little bit of cheese if I also eat something else, but I can't eat it alone. Nothing has happened that could have caused this except the surgery.
   — Amber L.