An assortment of questions

Hey Yall....I have some questions...and they aren't purty. My poop is black....and well...runny...In other words, I feel like I'm peeing out of my butt. Is black normal though??? Like Tar black. Another question...why can't I put neosporin on my incisions? I know the d/c instructions said not to. But why??? They itch like crazy. I'm doing ok with liquids as long as they don't contain protein. If I drink something with protein in it lets just say I need to be on the toilet when I do. It goes STRAIGHT through me. Its like it goes in one hole and out the other...and my makes my tummy hurt. How often did yall have to change your drain? I'm doing it twice daily. I'm guessing that's normal. No blue food coloring in it though. So that's a good thing. I'm sure I'll have many more questions to come and I know what a great resource yall are so thanks for helping me. My mom goes home tomorrow so I'll be on my own then. I'm sure I'll need yall for support. I look forward to your answers. Cynthia

I don't really remember the color of my poop but I def. peed poop! It was very nasty. I felt like I couldn't wipe enough. The neosporin on incisions...I don't know? Maybe because it could interfere with the glue. I don't remember mine itching. Maybe there is something in the protein drinks that makes you poop. I couldn't drink any protein because the taste made me hurl. Maybe it is the artifical sweetners. I would call Chris monday. I changed my drain 2 times a day when I showered. Glad to hear no blue. Sorry I haven't been much help. Rachel

Hey, The black tar usually means blood, but it is probably old blood, but its always good to call the nurse on duty and ask them. We had the phone number of the bariatric floor and we called the nurse on duty and I asked her similar questions, but mine wasn't black, so please do call as usually that means blood in your stool, and you want to make sure you are not bleeding. They can do a quick blood test to see if your H&H is low and to see if your hematocrit is normal or low. You will have diarrhea as your body gets used to the new lower gastric juices, less food, plus you aren't eating anything substancial if you are Dr. Bour's patient for a while...right? No food yet?? So until you get to binding foods like grits or oatmeal, and you are only liquids in, then liquid out. You have to get to proteins to make things bind together. I emptied my drains as needed, and it grossed me out, even though I can do others, I had a hard time with mine....yes, I used to do this in nursing school, but funny when its your own, it made me just gag. My hubby did it about 2-3x per day as needed and I had to keep mine in longer as I was a high "outpourer" lucky me. So plastics next month I will have 2 drains in....lucky hubby again. Make sure you are measuring your output as you want to get below 25cc's per day, then its time to take them out, but anything over 25cc's per day, it needs to stay in so you won't get seroma's and infection in your belly....gross. You sound normal, and if you can, get some protein and mix with your liquids...that will help with your output and kinda bind you somewhat, but you don't want to be constipated right now anyway....but it will give you, or it did me, hemmorhoids to be constipated. As for your incisions, they are kinda open, and even though its neosporin, it will clog up the incisions, so its best to just rub a little vaseline on around the area, but not in it, just to make it feel better. Don't use much, you are not wanting to have anything around the incision that can harbor bacteria and infection. Its just dry, and try to keep the areas around the drain dry. I would buy the non stick gauze pads and wrap around my drain tube, and then used the guaze paper tape to put around that, and it worked well. Once the drain tube is out, you will need to have some to cover it and keep it taped up until it heals. My lap incisions just closed up and its been 2 weeks and they are very fragile, so I only now put paper tape over them for support and to keep things out, but it can still breathe, if that makes sense. Take care and I am still praying for your mom and for you!! God Bless, Deb

You give some of the most incredible advice!! You are truly an asset to this board!!! Rachel

Hey! The poop color is normal, mine was blackish green for over a week, then changed to yellow. I'm the same way, its pure water coming out.This is my 2nd week and it's still like water. I have been taking immodium and it holds it off for a little while but comes right back in a few hours. Some of the others at my full liquid meeting had the same black colored water. I asked Dr. Bour about it and he said it was normal.I don't know how I am going to go back to work next weekend, since there is no warning or no controling it when it hits. I guess I will be taking extra change of clothes or bite the bullet and get adult diapers, LOL! I don't think the diapers will even work, since there is so much of it at one time and it's like a running river. Guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it. I hope it gets better for you with the protein, I can't stomach the unjury so I'm going to give mine away. I'm using prostat, its the only thing that I can stand. You might have to try something different than your using now. Keep in touch via email if you want. Mine is [email protected] or call me if you still have my number, if not I will email it to you. Mary

Just FYI...When I had my C-section the edges got a little pink and it was very itchy, but I thought that was normal...it turned out to be a big infection that required my stomach to get gauze inserted by a nurse that had to come to my house twice a day. I am more cautious now. Please talk to your dr. I would hate for something to be going on in there and you not know it. That is what my mom is afraid of for me when I have my surgery in Dec. Good Luck, Jennifer