Question:
Is a loose BM a sign of dumping?

Im almost 5 months post-op. I have lost almost 90 pounds.Well from day one i have had loose BM's i have told my Doc- he said it could be the way my body dumps-What do you all think?Im tried of this, "once" in awhile it will be normal but 99.9% of the time it is horrible i go at least 3 times aday. Anyone in the same boat as me? If this keeps up im taking stock in toilet paper.Sorry if i grossed anyone out, but this is starting to depress me.    — msski (posted on January 30, 2002)

January 30, 2002
I have had this problem a few times in my lifetime. It was actually recommended that I add fiber to my diet. It seems contradictory on the surface, but actually the fiber absorbs the excess water in your digestive system and decreases the looseness and frequency of your stool. You might try to add some sugar free citrucel or metamucil. Hope this helps. Shelley
   — Shelley.

January 30, 2002
Do you drink milk? It might be a mild form of lactose intolerance. It was happening to me (now 7 weeks out), and we got a bottle of lactose free milk, and the "runs" left! :) Worth a try!! (I drank the lfm for a full week, just to make sure).
   — Sharon H.

January 30, 2002
Yes, yes, yes! Whenever I cheat and have a glass of juice or a popsicle--something high in sugar--or anything fried, I am on the toilet with diarrhea within 2 hrs. Fortunately, this problem has improved in time. I'm 11 months post-op and now only dump about once a month when I eat something totally off my doctor's plan. (Bad me!)
   — Terissa R.

January 30, 2002
Did you have your gallbladder out? The reason I ask, is that after gallbladder surgery instead of bile form the liver being stored in the gallbladder, it is secreted straight from the liver into the small intestine, much faster than the gallbladder did. This is known to cause loose stools in some patients. It might be something you want to talk to your surgeon/PCP about! Good Luck!
   — Deborah W.