Constant Diarrhea!!!

[VegasGirlAngie]

I am 10 months post op and have had constant diarrhea since about two weeks after surgery. I asked my surgeon prior to surgery if dumping syndrome is a common issue after sleeve surgery and he said no it's mostly common in people who get gastric bypass. Well it has greatly affected me and my recovery. I kept thinking "oh my stomach is still healing and it will eventually stop". Well it didn't. I went back to my surgeon and he said he has never heard of this happening after being so far out post op and told me to see a gastroenterologist. I was so pissed. I felt like they just wash their hands and say I'm done after the surgery and don't even care about you after the surgery is complete. Up until now my experiences with the surgeon and office have been pleasant. I can't take my vitamins because that worsens and makes the diarrhea more frequent and I can't take my protein shakes because that also has the same effect. I am very weak and tired. It's made it harder for me to excercise. I am missing work. It's been one big diarrhea nightmare!!!! If anyone has experienced this same problem please share with me.

[suegirl]

Are you still drinking the protein drinks? I have diarrhea when I use the protein drinks... I would have notified the surgeons office much sooner.. I had to go to soft foods sooner than expected because I couldn't find a "protein" liquid that didn't run right through me..

[VegasGirlAngie]

No, I can't drink the protein drinks or take my vitamins beacuse it makes the diarrhea more frequent than it already is.

[Ceasar10]

You may be lactose intolerant and you should see a Gastro doc. The surgeon really can not do anything else for you! I had chronic Diareha for a month but I was only two weeks out. I went to see my surgeon and he said to stop protein and get tested to see if I became lactose intolerance and yep that what I am now! I switched my protein to isopure. I now get all my proteins from food and try to keep calories between 1000-1200 a day using my fitness pal! I am not dropping huge amounts like others but the scale is gong down. I am happy that I lost the amount in 2/12 months. Hope you get an answer! Hugs!

[LaffeyTaffey]

You may be lactose intolerant and you should see a Gastro doc. The surgeon really can not do anything else for you! I had chronic Diareha for a month but I was only two weeks out. I went to see my surgeon and he said to stop protein and get tested to see if I became lactose intolerance and yep that what I am now! I switched my protein to isopure. I now get all my proteins from food and try to keep calories between 1000-1200 a day using my fitness pal! I am not dropping huge amounts like others but the scale is gong down. I am happy that I lost the amount in 2/12 months. Hope you get an answer! Hugs!

Yep! I completely agree with this! My boyfriend and pretty much all of his 5 siblings are border line lactose intolerant. The poor guy... He LOVES cereal, but dairy has his on the toilet within the hour usually. We didn't realize the reason why until earlier this year actually.

Anyway, people becoming lactose intolerant after the surgery is something I've read about on this site a few times since joining. I try to make a list of helpful things I read, so I learn from others experiences and can change my future eating habits. Right now, I'm just starting to make myself wait to drink after eating rather than with my meal for example. This site is SO handy!

[Island Girl]

You should get a second opinion from a GI doctor. Prior to my surgery, I experienced dumping syndrome if I ate "rich" foods. I do not have a gallblader, so digesting certain foods could be painful. Since surgery, I have had three episodes of dumping and they have all occured after consuming milk. Bloating, painful intestinal spasms, diarrha, etc.

Greek yogurt is okay for me to eat and cottage cheese is okay a few days a week. Try almond milk or a lactose free milk to see if it helps till you get into the doctors.

[rylynn]

try soy protein with soy milk it does not give me diarrhea like the whey protein

[marilynlw]

You really need to see a gastroenterologist. You would think your surgeon would be able to help but obviously he feels you would be better served by a specialist. I have always had this problem and Imodium is my closest friend.

[ElleMarie]

I don't think your surgeon is trying to not help but this is out of his field of expertise. Just because it started after the surgery doesn't mean that the surgeon is the best one to treat it. I see a gastro for the same reason. It could be any number of things. You might even need antibiotics and/or probiotics to get things right again. Please see a gastro soon and get to the bottom of this...no pun intended!

[Munchkin]

I don't think your surgeon is trying to wash his hand off of you. Please go see the specialist soon. Sounds like lactose intolerance.

What is your diet like?

[Jospugjake]

I have IBS now, badly. I have diahrea daily. My surgery is in Nov, my biggest fear is the dumping syndrome. My job does not allow frequent or sudden breaks for bathroom use. What have most of you experienced before and post-op?
Btw, I've started my protein shakes & they taste great but go right through me!!! I am so nervous it is going to get worse after surgery. I'm hoping my surgery corrects this.
Ty

[LtWeight]

I personally had the opposite problem so far. I did have it though maybe the 2nd week for a couple of days (took stool softeners for a few days in a row and they kicked in).

[Little Verbena]

Sorry to hear you are going through this. I think the surgeon is right though, you need to see a GI. This isn't a normal reaction to the surgery and like others have said, is more of a reaction to how you can digest the protein you are now consuming. There are other options such as soy products. Whey is milk based do you may have some lactose intolerance.

[Jospugjake]

Good luck, I see your big day is tomorrow

[Lori44]

I read on here that 20% of sleeved patients will experience dumping. Because of this knowledge I have been careful to drink high carb stuff. I sip a little bit to see how it will affect me. I also wonder if I am have become lactose intolerant as well. Again I am sipping slowly and trying to pay attention to how my body reacts any different. I do have unsweetened vanilla almond milk that I like and soy milk may be good as well. I love milk and hope I am not lactose intolerant but I shall see. I would suggest seeing your gastro simply because you will get an objective point of view.