Question:
My surgeon said that lactose intolerance has nothing to do with surgery???
He said that if you are not lactose intolerant before surgery, you will not become lactose intolerant. I've noticed however, that there are tons of people who have. My second question is why do some people become lactose intolerant after weeks or even months after surgery?? — Amber F. (posted on January 8, 2003)
January 8, 2003
mine said the opposite, and I sure suffer from that.
— elaine27
January 8, 2003
The part of the stomach (and the food going thru the stomach) that broke
down the lactose into what little calcium & protein is now bypassed.
Many adults are already lactose intolerant, since what little enzyme we had
is often gone by childhood end. Why later, you mean, and not the day
after? I think it takes some awhile to isolate the problem. And for the
general population, they may not actualy develop lactose intolerance until
later. It's as the enzymes are no longer available to break down the
sugar.
— vitalady
January 8, 2003
Our bariatric surgeon states that 30% of RNY patients develop some degree
of lactose intolerance post-op....some right away, and some a few weeks
after the surgery....and for the reason that Michelle stated. My daughter
developed lactose intolerance at 3 weeks post-op. She is now 3 years
post-op, and it has improved slightly, but still is a problem. She uses
Lactaid milk for drinking and cooking, and carries Lactaid tablets with her
for those occasions when she is eating out, and that has worked out fine
for her. The other four members of our family that have had RNY surgery
never have had any problems with lactose intolerance at all. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
January 9, 2003
Yes, Michelle explained it well (as she so often does). I had lactose
intolerance after surgery for the first couple of months, mostly just with
milk though (I could eat cheese and yogurt). The milk doesn't bother me now
unless I am dumb enough to snitch a piece of chocolate at the same time or
right before or after having some milk (did this at Christmas time, oh ouch
the rumbly in my tummy!). - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -104lbs.
— Anna L.
January 9, 2003
I don't mean to argue with your doctor, but I never had a problem with milk
products before surgery. About 3 weeks after surgery, I became very
intolerant to milk products. I'm now four months out and can't tolerate
milk or yogurt at all. I can handle a little bit of cheese if I also eat
something else, but I can't eat it alone. Nothing has happened that could
have caused this except the surgery.
— Amber L.
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