Diarrhea vs Dumping Syndrome

[jjames7118 5]

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading the posts and finding a lot of answers to my questions. I have been searching for topics about post op diarrhea and gas and while I have found several none of them so far have addressed my specfic questions and issues. So here they are:

I am 16 days pos top and have been on full fluids for 9 days. I find that everytime I drink something that needs to be digested, like Protein drinks or Soups I have severe gas and diarrhea withing 30 minutes. This sounds like dumping syndrome to me and feels like foods that previously would have been partially digested in the stomach are going straight into my small intestine which doesn't seem to know how to handle it so it fills with Water and flushes it out. I did not know things could actually pass through the entire digestive tract so quickly. Since this happens with virtually everything I drink that has Protein it's not like I can avoid certain foods or ingredients. I've read on other posts that this seems to resolve after a few weeks or months but I'm wondering how. Does the small intenstine become more acclimated to undigested food? Will I always have so much intestinal gas? This is not post op gas since I've been clear of that since a few days after surgery. It last for about 2 hours after I consume anything other than non- protein liquid and then is ok until the next time I drink something other than non-protein liquid. I drink non fat mild and have no problem with that by itself but mixing in protein and yowza...I'm off tot he races!

I would really appreciate knowing how others have experienced this. Thank you all so much, this site has been a god send and special thanks to Gamergirl.

JJ

[itsnevertoolate 9]

I'm still watching the pattern but I seem to be having the same experience with any Boost or Ensure that I drink post-op. I'm 6 days out from surgery. Whenever I drink either of these two products (recommended by my doctor) I am in the bathroom about 30 minutes later. When I eat strained cream Soup or have a popsicle or broth I don't seem to have this problem. I plan to ask about it when I go in for my first follow up on the 26th. In the meantime, I try to avoid either drink, unless I'm not planning to leave the house. I learned that the hard way

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

If you're drinking Protein drinks with little carbs and a bucket load of artificial sweetener? I'd put my money on it being that.

I had the same deal.

When you get onto the normal food stage - your movements will slow dramatically. And you will likely be praying for the day when you can return to the instant bowel movements of yore..

Protein seriously bungs you up... You'll be swapping one issue (the runs and gas) for another (constipation). I know which one I'd prefer!

[McButterpants 2,846]

Do you think it could be the milk or lactose?

[jjames7118 5]

Well, I thought about the content of what I was eating and can't find a trend. It happens with both sweet Protein drinks (low carb artificial sweetner) and unflavored Protein added to Soups. I can drink a glass of non fat milk with no after effect so I do not think I am lactose intolerant. I just hope it stops at some point. Mme. Reverie indicates that once I am on solid foods I may even struggle with constipaton. From my perpsective that is more manageable than massive gas and diarrhea but I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

I appreciate the input (as opposed to the output) eewww really bad joke.

[McButterpants 2,846]

Yeah, if you can drink milk with no issues, it's probably not that. I hope it gets better!

LOL - I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Constipation has been my only side effect of the surgery. That's not fun either!

Best of luck to you!

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Yep, I'm bunged up, too..

I'll take the 'known' inconvenience of 30 minute ' gurgle-gut downloads' for the belly-wrenching, colon-twisting, sweat creating, fissure/pile inducing alternative...

How fragrant this thread is

[McButterpants 2,846]

Yep, I'm bunged up, too..

I'll take the 'known' inconvenience of 30 minute ' gurgle-gut downloads' for the belly-wrenching, colon-twisting, sweat creating, fissure/pile inducing alternative...

How fragrant this thread is

OMG- I'm laughing. I couldn't have said it better!

I went to the store the other day in search of Smooth Move tea - I couldn't find any. I'll try barking at the moon if I thought it would help. It is so uncomfortable!

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

I opted for 4 pints of Guinness. I know it's not 'on plan' - but it worked!

[jjames7118 5]

Mme. Reverie,

More proof that naughty girls have more fun!

JJ

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

It's Christmas.. That's my excuse - and I'm sticking to it!

[jjames7118 5]

Hmmmm,

This might be a valid argument for Medical Marijuana. I'm just sayin.....

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

I didn't realise smoking pot was synonymous with Christmas?!!

[McButterpants 2,846]

How does unflavored Protein mix with Guinness?

[mistysj 1,940]

Try Protein made from whey Protein isolate, which has no lactose. Plain whey protein is super charged with lactose.

By the way, dumping syndrome has more than just diarrhea. Chills, fever, nausea and flu-like symptoms that last even after the diarrhea. And comes from eating excess sugar or carbs. This sounds to me like your digestive system is just irritated. You did just have major surgery after all.