Question:
How many of you have become lactose intolerant since surgery?

I've recenlty purchased some Lactaid and some dairy degestive supplements. Do these work?    — Jennifer H. (posted on March 17, 2002)

March 17, 2002
Yes, I became lactose intolerant. I get HORRIBLE smelling gas if I drink milk. It seems that I can eat yogurt just fine. I am 14 months post op and I was really craving some skim milk about a month ago. I went and bought the chewable lactaid and had 2 before I drank my skim milk. It worked wonders!!! I was absolutely thrilled that I could have some milk again. Now, I don't drink it every day, but I have had it maybe 4 times since. I remember someone on here mentioning lactaid and I thought I would give it a try. It worked! Hope this helps. Shelley
   — Shelley.

March 17, 2002
hi i am lactose intolerant after open rny 3 months ago. i thought at first it was the cereal was to heavy as i felt violently ill and had to lie down but after i tried other dairy products i found that yep i amso thats that.. i have found it hard to sdjust and am still trying to adjust to soya milk which makes me almost heave.. seeing my dietican tommorow maybe might have something interesting to add to help you...
   — Rachel F.

March 17, 2002
Yep, at 8 weeks I became lactose intolerant. Any dairy product causes intolerable gas and I get nauseated also. This really bums me out because out here in New Mexico we eat loads of enchiladas with cheese. (Well, not loads now, just small bites) but I still miss the cheese. Lactaid has not worked well for me but I may try two at a time. I love milk too and can't drink it. The lactose free milk tastes like cra- to me. And it's way too expensive. Oh well, just one little bump in the road to a wondorously, glorious future. 12 weeks, 60 lbs.
   — Kathryn K.

March 17, 2002
I was very lactose intolerant right after surgery. I opted to just give up dairy for three months (except for hard cheese which did not cause a problem). At the end of that time, my body had readjusted and I was able to again eat dairy.
   — kateseidel

March 17, 2002
Yes, I was lactose intolerant at first. That was TOO hard for me to take, as I was NOT prepared for that one! So I sipped skim, then 1%, then 2% then whole milk. It took a month or so, but now I can have whole milk in my coffee (even half-n-half!) When I drink a glass of milk I drink 1 or 2% (whatever is handy) to not push my luck. I LOVE milk.
   — Helena R.

March 17, 2002
I was mildly lactose intolerant pre-op, but became violently so after. Not big deal, though, since my doc forbids milk of any kind (lactose = sugar). But I do eat other dairy products that do not contain sugar, such as cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, just not MILK. I simply ADORED it, BTW, but my doc says it can make me round again, so not EVEN gonna try. I use subs for cooking, but I don't NEED it for anything else.
   — vitalady

March 18, 2002
I was not able to drink milk early Post op. I still cannot drink too much at one time. I can now eat Cereal with milk. I am 3 months Postop, so it does get better. I can tell you I tried Silk(soy milk), yuk! do not try it. as far as Lactaid is concerned, I have not tried it, so I have no basis for comparison.
   — sbinkerd1

March 18, 2002
My husband (no WLS) is VIOLENTLY lactose intolerant. If he does not take a digestive enzyme with his cereal, he is at the potty 6 hours later for at _least_ an hour. YES, they work. Cheapest place to get them is Trader Joe's, if you have one in the area. The milks didn't help as much as the tablets, for him. I read recently the Michelle Curren would never let her daughter have WLS cause she won't even take her Allegra when her eyes are swollen shut from allergies.... my hubby would is like that (not that he needs WLS) cause he will forget to take his lactose pills, suffers from it a lot, then will do it again the next day. SHeesh!
   — M. A. B.