TMI WARNING: Bowel Movement

[Penguin733 14]

So for the past couple of days, I've been having black diarrhea. Is this to be expected? I know Iron can cause black stool and I've been strictly on liquid diet so could explain the diarrhea, but how do I know it's not an ulcer?

I just don't know what I can do over the weekend when the surgical group I had the surgery with or the bariatric coordinator at the hospital to contact for my questions are off for the weekend.

[sillykitty 10,776]

Black stool can mean blood higher up in the GI track. I'd seek medical attention

[KathyLev 285]

I had terrible diarrhea and it was almost black color,too .I had it in the hospital and the nurses weren't concerned. Turns out ,it's a natural reaction to all the work that they did inside of you . If black-ish stool continues after you're home , chances are it's from all those Vitamins you're taking. My dietician told me that.

[Penguin733 14]

39 minutes ago, KathyLev said:

I had terrible diarrhea and it was almost black color,too .I had it in the hospital and the nurses weren't concerned. Turns out ,it's a natural reaction to all the work that they did inside of you . If black-ish stool continues after you're home , chances are it's from all those Vitamins you're taking. My dietician told me that.

That's what I'm thinking/hoping for as I'm not feeling any other symptoms of anything like an ulcer or what have you. And it's not a continuous issue just once a day, as I feel like if it was a major issue I'd feel something or it happen again during the day. It does happen a few hours after I take my Iron. I'm just really hoping it's nothing serious. Will be calling the group tomorrow morning when they open, just my luck it happens over the weekend when they're closed. 😅

[Arabesque 7,443]

I had dark poop in hospital too (as hideous diarrhoea). It’s from the blood from the surgery passing out of your body. How long out from surgery are you? If it’s only a few days it may just still be from the surgery. But yes, definitely contact your team to be sure.

[Penguin733 14]

Just now, Arabesque said:

I had dark poop in hospital too (as hideous diarrhoea). It’s from the blood from the surgery passing out of your body. How long out from surgery are you? If it’s only a few days it may just still be from the surgery. But yes, definitely contact your team to be sure.

I am a few days post-op. Had it on the 11th.

[catwoman7 11,221]

how far out are you? If you just had surgery recently, it's probably blood from the surgery. Or as you said, it could be Iron - that can also turn stool black. I'd run it by my clinic just in case, but it's probably fine.

[SuziDavis 546]

I had the same for a while in the beginning, I was told it was normal due to the changes in diet and whatnot.

[Penguin733 14]

7 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

how far out are you? If you just had surgery recently, it's probably blood from the surgery. Or as you said, it could be Iron - that can also turn stool black. I'd run it by my clinic just in case, but it's probably fine.

Maybe. I'm really hoping it's just that, it started off as all black and now it's dark green.

[Penguin733 14]

Update

So, I tried calling the Surgical Group to speak with my surgeon (as he said to call him for any inquiries), but I was unable to reach him so I left a message (and still haven't heard back from him), so I decided to do a little investigation on my own.

So, yesterday I went without taking my Iron supplement and did everything else, next day (today) when I woke up had a mild bowel movement. But when I took my iron supplement, that ran right through me and caused the exact same issue as before so I'm thinking it's the iron supplements that's making me create this issue. Don't know why as I've read that seems to be the case for people who take in too much iron, but I've only been drinking my Protein Shakes and gatorade along with the Vitamins since I got discharged.

I'm hoping they get back to me tomorrow, if not it's just going to have to wait until I meet with them in person for my post-op next Monday.