I'm only 3 days post op and have had about three or four BMs that look like black coffee grinds. I was told this is a sign of internal bleeding in the past. Can anyone put my mind at ease how long this should last and is it normal?

I would be worried too! Can you call your Dr. office? My office says to call even after hours. Sounds like blood, but don't know if it is normal from the surgery or not.

I agree with the above poster, you should call your dr. someone should be on call no matter what time it is.

Better to be safe than sorry if it is something serious!

Call now!!

Kelly

I was on prednisone last year and in bold was the warning that if one's stool looked like dark coffee grounds to call your physician immediately. I would definitely call.

Check with your surgeon. Are you taking iron supplements? They can cause black stools but even if you are still check in.

please let us know you are ok kind of worried ....

Coffee ground vomit is more concerning than BM. BM with old blood in it has a very distinctive, horrible smell beyond that of usual bad BM. Call your doc if worried.

It is worth mentioning to your doctor, but if you are just 3 days post op I wouldn't get too worried yet. There is some bleeding in your stomach during the procedure and it may just be old blood passing through the GI tract. Signs that would make you worry right away would be increase or changes in bleeding, dizziness or lightheadedness especially with position changes, shortness of breath, significant increase in pain, fever or as anonynurse mentioned, vomiting blood or coffee ground emesis.

please let us know you are ok kind of worried ....

Talked to my doctor last night. Thanks to all for your prompting, it was a good call. He didn't seem all that worried and as long as I'm not having heart palpitations, vomiting or seeing red in my output, it's ok.

Whew, good to know that you are o.k.!!

Kelly

Talked to my doctor last night. Thanks to all for your prompting, it was a good call. He didn't seem all that worried and as long as I'm not having heart palpitations, vomiting or seeing red in my output, it's ok.

I am glad that you are ok

PhewWWW glad to hear you are okay!!!

Great news! Thanks for updating us

What did you eat (sic) for 3 weeks of liquid diet post-op?

:blink:I am surviving on pudding with protein powder, cream of chicken soup, popiscles and non-fat yogurt smoothies. Had mashed potatoes today, felt like a real treat!

So glad all is well! I was worried!!