Question:
Bowels after RNY
I was wondering if there were any changes in anyone's bowel's following the lap surgery. Obviously, they have rearrange your intestines and there must be some change. I had my gall bladder out a few years ago and now fight diarrhea. I fear going out to restaurants now because I will need a toilet about 15 minutes after I eat. Did anyone else experience this and have things get better or worse after surgery? Thanks, Linda — lindadougherty (posted on December 19, 2002)
December 19, 2002
i have heard that bowels smell very fowel and have known people to have
diarrea all the time.
— christina L.
December 19, 2002
I have noticed a change in mine, i have been constipated, not to terribly
but they have definitly been alot more solid. I havent noticed them
smelling particularly fowl though. Hope this isnt to gross! :)
— lisa N.
December 19, 2002
I am 7 weeks Post op today, and I have not noticed any changes at all in my
bowels, they are the same as before surgery, and as for fowl? well not any
worse than before surgery.
— Christopher W.
December 19, 2002
18 months post-op RNY today and yes I do have issues with the old
restroom!Maybenot all do, but I do take special care to be near a restoom
if I feel a need to go. Is it because I don't have a gall bladder? I think
having that out a few years ago affected it as well. I don't want to be
gross, but I do take care to do "courtesy flushes"at work and
home as I heard them called once. Ha!I also notice odor, but is it more
than others? I also try to go in private if that makes sense meaning I
would prefer a single stall bathroom with a lock than a bathroom with 4
toilets. Wow, hope not too much info, but it is a sensitive subject. I
would say that this is the hardest area post-op, yetI do still feel very
blessed and happy with the surgery. Best Wishes and maybe you won't have my
"problems".
— Molly S.
December 19, 2002
Hi,
How much fluids are you drinking? My surgeon says not everyone needs the 64
oz that is preached on this board - my favorite saying of his is
"water in water out"! You may want to cut back alittle and see if
that helps...also try eating some foods that bind - bananas or more
cheese...in regards to odors - any hardware stores carry these small -
purse size odor eliminator/ nuetralizer sprays. Hope this helps!
— Diane Z.
December 19, 2002
I have nothing to contribute as far as answers go...I wish I could give a
high tech/scientific response to ease all our minds...
All I know is that my family now refers to my 'breaking wind' as Gorilla
farts(sigh) and it is common to hear my sons and husband yelling,
"Stay away from the bathroom, Mom just gave birth to a Yak!!!"
Makes me feel like Rodney Dangerfield, "I tell ya, I just don't get
any respect!" LOL.
I do find that the more water I drink and more exercise I do, has an impact
on how urgently I need to run for the potty. I guess on the bright side, I
try to walk out of the restroom smiling and remind myself 'Well, that is
ONE way to lose 5 ugly pounds!' hehe.
— TanaMom2JAM
December 19, 2002
I think that people are looking for answers to questions and perhaps some
support, not a scolding from their elementary school teacher. There a lot
of people who aren't great at spelling and those of us who only realize we
mispelled something after it's already too late to change it. I know I have
done that before. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest. As far as your
question Linda, I had that problem only in the first 2 weeks after my lap
surgery. Since then I have been battling the opposite problem. I am
easily constipated if I don't stay on top of my daily dose of Fiberchoice
tablets and prune juice. It seems like all the posts I have read, everyone
seems to be different. Good luck. I just hope you don't change your
problem for the other like I did. I think they are equally miserable.
— Laurel C.
December 20, 2002
I too had your problem and since I had surgery (8/6/02) i am now back to a
normal person. It has been a wonderful to not have to worry. Hope this
helps!
— Laura T.
December 20, 2002
My doctor and dietician said that if I start this I have consumed too much
fat and sugar in my diet. Check your diet and make sure you are not
getting over the amount you are suppose to have. They told me 5 grams of
surgar.
Total fat good if 5% or less, 10% or less is a moderate amount of fat and
20% or more is consider high fat. Look for low fat or reduced fat
products. Start reading labels to get the right amount of sugar and fat.
Hope this has helped. I have went by this and have had no diarrhea. Hope
this has helped you.
— Lana Rush
December 20, 2002
Pre-op I had irritable bowel syndrome (believe me, it wasn't JUST the
bowels that got irritated - harumph!)...and often suffered from diarrhea.
Immediately post-op I had pretty irregular bowels movements, but now at 5
months out things have settled down to a normal routine with what I can
only call normal bowel movements. Having never really experienced
normalacy in that dept though it's hard to be sure. I just know it has
become less of an intrusion on my life.
— [Deactivated Member]
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