Gas - how bad is it?

I did a search on here and found multiple threads, but nothing in the last two years. I go tomorrow to submit the paperwork to insurance for my RNY, so I hope to have a date soon.

I've joined a local support group, and they all laugh and joke about having terrible gas after surgery. I tried to ask the group about it and they laughed it off. I work in a confined space and the thought of having uncontrollable gas is not funny - frankly it terrifies me. I'm also worried about church.

How bad is it? Is it uncontrollable?

So, obviously I can only speak of my own experiences with my RNY surgery and gas But I would suspect a lot of people will have similar responses.

It's most all going to depend on your diet and what you choose to put into your system.

Several year prior to WLS I had my gallbladder removed... I experienced a lot of bathroom changes with that, but with time (and diet) I found it very easy to control.

The same was said for me with RNY... I don't experience bad gas unless I eat something that my body really doesn't like... for example sugar alcohols (ie, sugar free chocolates to be exact). If I eat too much of any sugar free candy, you can bet I could knock a bull over given the right cir****tances and conditions! LOL

If I eat too many simple carbs... popcorn, chips... then I get gassy...

But none of this is uncontrollable...

Perhaps early on, if you find yourself constipated, and then take something to help you go, you might experience some bad gas, but I do believe that happens to anyone, WLS or not.

I work in an office, in confined spaces, in meetings for hours on end, etc... I don't have any issues at all, and I haven't ever HAD to 'let it loose' in a situation like that...

I wouldn't let this terrify you to the point that you are second guessing your surgery... and seriously, as funny as these look, you can just wear them if you are that scared.

LOL! A little sad that I might consider these...

Thank you for your thorough response. I appreciate it.

Everyone is different-keep that in mind.

Not everyone deals with gas like that. It's not bad and it's not uncontrollable for me. There are things that I eat sometimes that make me more gassy than normal, like some sugar alcohols will do it for me-or if I eat too many simple carbs, but on a day to day basis, I'm not anymore gassy than anyone who hasn't had RNY. I think the support group is exaggerating for humor's sake.

When you are in the meetings, are people constantly passing gas? Does it smell terrible in the meetings? Those are some ways to tell if they're actually having uncontrollable gas or they're pulling your leg. I'm not being silly-actually listen for that unmistakable sound at your next meeting.

If they really ARE that gassy-I'd guess that they're not eating a proper post-op diet-and I'd nix that particular group if possible because they won't offer any real support if they don't eat a proper diet. If you can't join another-I'm so very sorry that you're saddled with them.

I'd also talk to the dietician/nutritionist about this. They may be able to calm your fears.

I was hoping it might be because they are not following their post-op diet. The idea of having uncontrollable gas at my workplace horrifies me. I appreciate your feedback, and hope that I have the same experience as you!

Post op gas was horrible; I almost got a dog to blame it on.

Seriously, get a product called "Devrom", available online, and chew 3-4 tabs once a day. It's a fecal deodorant and will remove the stench.

It saved my life! and I didn't have to get a dog.

I thought this was going to be a question about post-op gas pains! Not.. farting.

If I eat off plan, my gas can be rank, but that was the case pre-op as well. If I eat well, it's rarely an issue. My bowels are way more happy and consistent than they ever were pre-op.

I had bad gas for a few weeks post-op. During surgery, the doctor inflates your abdomen to be able to work, and it can take a while for that to get out of your system. Gas-X works pretty well.

The only other time I had gas trouble was when I re-introduced carbonated beverages at about a year post-op. If I didn't let my diet coke go half-flat, I'd be pretty gassy. That lasted for about six months, so I drank a LOT of flat soda!

Oh, funny story. My bff's grandma told her, when she was a child, that women don't fart, they "rosebud." So I'm totally planning on getting some Pink Lady-style (a la Grease) jackets made that say "Old Rosebuds." (Since clearly this means women are Old Rosebuds if men are Old Farts.... RIGHT?)