Question:
Off and on diarrhea on a daily basis - 3 weeks post op RNY

Hello - just wondering if anyone has had intermittent diarrhea which can last up to 3 days in a row. My doctor gave me Flagyl and said it might be a bacterial infection in the colon - but the symptoms persist. When it gets bad, I have to go almost every 5-10 minutes. It is always yellow or orange in color no matter what I have eaten. Anybody have something similar, and what did you do?    — Arlene I. (posted on July 6, 2004)

July 5, 2004
I'd see your doctor again, or perhaps another doctor if you don't feel comfortable with him/her. You can get deyharated fast. Don't wait.
   — Danmark

July 6, 2004
Arlene: Giving meds for a condition that is being guessed at is not really good. You doctor should have referred you to a gastro doctor to have a colonoscopy done if he suspects a problem with your colon. If you know a good gastro doctor, I'd definitely make an appointment.
   — juju524

July 6, 2004
Arlene - I had the same problem early on (I'm almost 2 years post-op now. It lasted for several weeks - as a matter of fact I remember being worried that it would not clear up by the time I went back to work at 6 weeks post-op. It would hit without warning and there were many times when I didn't make it to the bathroom in time. My surgeon prescribed something for me - I don't remember the name of it but it was some power you mix with water -something like Medimusil - it was really nasty tasting stuff. Anyway - I think it has something to do with your body getting adjusted to the high protein - or maybe it is the sugar alcohols you get in some of the protein products such as the protein bars, etc. Mine did clear up before I went back to work - it still hits me every now and then - can't always figure out what I ate that caused it - I ocassionaly take Imodium if it becomes a problem and that usually does the trick. Best wishes on this journey - it's all worth it. -Margaret
   — Margaret G.

July 6, 2004
Is there cramping? Do you drink milk or eat ice cream? Cheese would not be in this catergory, for example.
   — vitalady

July 7, 2004
Are you getting in your water? I was re-hospitalized 2 weeks out for dehydration and had lots of diarrhea. Leslie RNY 6/17/03 267/168/150
   — Leslie R.

July 7, 2004
I wish I could remember the name of the diet my doctor told me to go on to stop diaria. It worked great. I'm thinking it was called "BRAT"? I hope there are some nurses here that might know it. Every letter reparsented a food... example, T for toast, R for rice, A for Apples,... I forgot what the B was for. Anyway, I ate those foods, and only those foods for a day or two, along with some pepno bismo and it stopped it fast. The pepno on it's own did'nt do it.
   — Danmark

July 7, 2004
Hi~ I had horrible diarrhea for so long after my surgery. They did two stool samples checking for a bacterial infection and both those where negative. I'm now on month 10 post-op. My internist first put me on antibiotics and then put me on a medicine called Cholestyramine. She said it was to help me adjust to having my Gallbladder removed. Did they remove yours also? I now take 2 immodium caplets before every meal. It's the only thing that controls it for me. Good luck and I hope this posting will be helpful to you.
   — LaRena A.

July 7, 2004
Daniel: FWIW, the BRATT diet is Bananas, Rice, Apples or Applesauce, Tea and Toast. My doc prescribed before for a nasty stomach bug (but I haven't used since the surgery and would be scared of dumping on it). For me, it worked too well and actually caused constipation - go figure.
   — Debra R.