My biggest fear - uncontrollable diarrhea

[Sue Magoo 71]

Hi:

I was banded in 2007, had slip, and revised to larger band in 2010, had erosion, and band removed last July. I am gaining and gaining and am quite disgusted with my weight now. Was hoping to get sleeved, but have been told (by more than two bariatric surgeons) that it's too risky for me because of scar tissue in the area where sleeve would be created. So, now I am looking into Gastric Bypass. My biggest fear is that I will have uncontrollable diarrhea (sp?). I know that sugary foods can cause dumping syndrome. If I eat like I should would I still have to be concerned about having diarrhea? I can live with it during liquid phase, but after that I would have big issues with it because I have to work and leave the house every day. I would be okay with taking Imodium every day if that helps. Can anyone elaborate on this subject and how it's been for you?

I'm going to an informational seminar tonight at Newton Wellesley Hospital. I hope that I get more comfortable with this worry.

Thanks for your input.

Sue

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had a Gastric Bypass, RNY, 11 months ago. I experienced diarrhea early on. It was due to the fact that all of a sudden I was Lactose Intolerant. I went off all milk products. That posed a problem with the Protein supplements. Fortunately Muscle Milk Light was lactose free. About 2 months after surgery, I discovered I was no longer lactose intolerant anymore and I began using milk. Haven't had a problem since.

I do my best to stay away from processed sugars. I find that sugar substitutes work for me. My great weakness before surgery was sugar. Now I can thrive using alternate sweeteners.

One of the individuals in our support group suffered from erosion caused by his lap band. He had it removed and had a revision to a gastric bypass. He had the revision done over a year ago and seems to be thriving pretty well. He had some problems early on because the lap band had damaged so much of his stomach that when they created the pouch it was very small compared to most and this gave him some initial problems.

[Wallflower7522 328]

I haven't had any issues with it. I'm almost two months out. Even during the liquid phase, it was liquid but completely controllable. I actually have the opposite problem now and have to drink some Smooth Moves tea a few nights a week to keep things moving along.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Wallflower7522

I also had problems with Constipation after the surgery. It was driving me nuts. I finally stumbled onto a cure that works for me. It was apples. But you have to eat the peels. Now I eat one or two apples just before I go to bed each night, and the problem is no longer a problem.

[Truckerchic 171]

Constipation here also.. I'm 5 months out but right from the start I've had it I use Miralax one serving every other day and that keeps things moving OK.. I am adding more Fiber foods to hopefully help, sugar does not bother me at all

[bloreorbust 286]

Constipation is more likely. Yes, dumping is possible, but you will figure out very quickly how to avoid it. Also, dumping isn't always associated with diarrhea. It can nausea, sweating, rapid pulse, cramping. Say for me, if I eat something like regular fruit jam, I feel sweaty and nauseous. No diarrhea though. So I just avoid regular jam. Only took me 2 tries to figure that one out.