Question:
After surgery is there a change in yours bowel movements or gas?
I'm hoping that my surgery will be shortly after September 2005 and I was hoping someone could tell me if there's a major difference in how often, the form and the different your bowel movements are after surgery, and also is there a problem with gas? Thank you so much for any advice. — melts (posted on May 14, 2005)
May 14, 2005
Yup, I have gas alot now, never go anywhere without my Gas-X pills. And my
husband yells at me for my "monster poops"! LOL I dunno if it's
cuz food doesn't get digested as well, but it seems I quite frequently clog
the toilet because my BMs are quite large! They are more solidly formed
than before too. Strange, but true. I do take colace stool softener, but
it doesn't seem to affect the size! =) Not a big deal, I learned to deal
with it, but something to be aware of!
— dreaers
May 14, 2005
I'm just the opposite of the first responder to your question. My poops
are much softer and only happen about ever 2-3 days. Now, watch out when
it happens cause the house needs to be deoderized (sorry to be graphic, but
you did ask!)...I have tons of gas as well, but you learn to live with it.
I had a period of time about 2-3 months out when I was a bit constipated
and had to take a stool softener...now, I don't have that problem at all!
Good luck!
— karenisahogfan
May 14, 2005
Yes, it will most likely be different. Again, different people are affected
in different ways. I deal with constipation on a regular basis and I never
did before surgery. I use fiber pills, eat as much fiber as I can get in,
take milk of magnesia regularly, and still will get constipated. I've tried
flax seed, colace, yada, yada, yada, and I still find that MOM works the
best. For the gas issue, I find that I don't have it at all if I stick to
meat, vegetables, and fats. If I add a carb other than veggie carbs, I get
gas and if I should happen to eat white flour, sugar, or sugar alcohol,
watch out!!!!!!!!!!
— scbabe
May 15, 2005
Everyone is different on this issue from what I have seen. For me: The
first 6 months was more frequent and softer. At 6 mos I had my gal bladder
removed and from that point until about 2 years out I had nothing but
diareha every day. You could be out minding your own business and boom...I
had to leave right away. It was the most irritating thing ever. Now at
3.5 years out it's just as it was pre-op. There is more gas, but it's not
painful nor does it get in the way of my life.
— RebeccaP
May 15, 2005
Well I am only 3 weeks out and yes there is a lot of gas. Mine has been
mostly from the gas that they blow you up with to do the surgery. It is
very painful. For me at least. It would get hung up in my sholders. But
my doctor sent me home with a huge bottle of Loritab liquid and that helped
a lot. The form is different. Much softer and a little more frequent. I
watch about eating and then going somewhere cause I don't know which end it
may want to come out of. hahaha. I've always been a little gassy so that
is about the same now. I also was afraid of when the first bowel movement
would take place if it would be painful but it just "slipped right
out" hahahahhaha. I hope everything goes well for you. I know how
excited you must be. Take care and research and research and research.
Ask questions and ask more questions. That is the only way to find out
anything. If I can be of any help just e-mail me. Take care.
— Judy 52
May 15, 2005
I have about the same amount of gas as before. I now have a BM at least
once some times twice a day. If I have any sugar....Ooooo!Move out of my
way! I have to run to the bathroom.
— rozebud69
May 15, 2005
My bowels & amount of gas are normal UNLESS I eat too many carbs. If I
eat too many carbs I have tremendous gas pains, horrid flatulence, &
loose & disgusting bms. I just have to focus on the protein & go
easy on the carbs. Then I'm fine. I'm over 2 years out.
— fowlerloriann
May 15, 2005
Seems like everyone is different! I am 3 yrs. post op Lap RNY, and have had
my gallbladder removed. I have big trouble with constipation - I get in a
lot of fiber (esp. flax), water, etc. The only thing that seems to make
things temporarily better is a laxative.
— kultgirl
May 16, 2005
The smell is GOD AWFUL!!!! You can TRULY clear a room with the bad gas
smell that I have - and I'm 3 1/2 years post-op. However, it's a small
price to pay considering what my outcome was!!
— Patty H.
May 17, 2005
OK, the first year all the poops were kinda orange, smelly and
slimy/oily...then after that, more solid, more brownish, less oily and
SMELLY. Gas increased, but I began eating carbs and sugar again and I drink
a lot of diet soda and coffee...I know, me own fault. I never had this much
gas in my life. I usually can get to a bathroom, or at least outside to
avoid detection, but I have been in a Mall shopping and one slips out...SO
EMBARRASSING! I am 3 years post op from a Lap RnY. Best of luck to you on
your journey. Kathy in MA :0)
— Kathy A C.
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