Post Op Lactose Intolerance...why?

[OilSooner 23]

I'm one of the unlucky ones who is now lactose intolerant after surgery...and I love dairy! Why does this happen? Was anyone lactose intolerant (who wasn't before surgery) shortly after surgery, then became more tolerant of dairy later on? I want to be able to drink milk again, and am very bummed by this development. I am two weeks post op.

[ocean_ophelia 31]

I'm almost four weeks post op and going through the same thing. Yogurt doesn't bother me, but milk does. I NEVER had an issue with lactose either, so it sucks that I do now. From what I understand, it's because lactose can be hard to digest, and your stomach just went through a major upheavel. Most people a few months out don't seem to have an issue, and I hope the same is true for us

[Andrea8967 25]

Me too. I starting eating cottage cheese and got diarrhea almost immediately. I didn't realize the connection until 3 days later. I quit eating it and now I'm fine.

[ab76307 22]

I also am having this problem and I love milk, but I have found that the lactaid pills have helped a great deal and I can drink milk again without the diarrhea. It's worth a try to not miss something you love and isn't bad for you.

[OilSooner 23]

I got the pills and bought some lactaid milk today. I just hope this isn't a permanent problem. No dairy forever without first having to take a pill would suck....but I guess its a fair trade in the grand scheme of things.

[longer-life 139]

I have been lactose intolerant for about 20 years. There is a lot of products out in the market now. Lactaid brand not only has milk, but yogurt, ice cream and cottage cheese. Cabot cheeses are naturally lactose free. I am sure there are a lot more products out there. No need to miss out.

[lsereno 2,525]

I became lactose intolerant post-op and I still am at almost 9 months out. I have seen other members post that they were only lactose intolerant for the first few months and then somewhere between 3-6 months they returned to being to have any dairy.

The first couple of weeks after surgery the only Protein powder I tolerated well was the Unury chicken flavor, but after about the second week I could have Gold Standard whey without a problem. I can eat greek yogurt and firm cheeses, but no other dairy products. I have learned to like soymilk for everything except hot chocolate. I have Soy Latte and sometimes at night soy milk with a little sugar free caramel Syrup. I don't eat whipped cream, iced cream, cream-based Soups (such as Clam Chowder - so sad because I live right by the coast!!), or soft cheeses, or Desserts made with cream.

Lynda

Lynda

[Andrea8967 25]

I took a Lactaid pill along with my cottage cheese and no problem whatsoever. What a blessing.

[MollyMc 0]

I am over a year post-op and I am now having lactose intolerance. I have never in my life had a problem with dairy!!

[GastricSleevePatient 1]

So I think I may be experiencing this, and I know this is an old thread, but I'm not getting diarrhea after eating some ice cream, I had an hour of extreme cramping that suddenly stopped. They are very painful (a 10 on a scale of 1-10). Does anyone know if this is related to being lactose intolerant? I haven't had it from drinking regular milk (though I rarely drink this, even pre surgery I only drank soy), but I just noticed it twice when I ate ice cream.

[flumd0612 11]

This is an old post, but I had the same issue yesterday. Had 5 ounces of Kefir (yogurt-based drink) and for the rest of the day had severe, debilitating cramps which would only go away with pain pills and sleep. Today, no dairy at all, and I am fine. While I am bummed...I hope this is it because I have been worried about all the pain I have been having!

[newmebithebypass 713]

For some reason I have become slightly lactose intolerant prior to surgery I can have everything but milk I have to have lactaid

[careya123 260]

I just realized that my post-surgery cramping and nausea is probably caused by lactose intolerance. Pre-surgery I had a tiny bit of intolerance, but now any dairy except mozzarella, hard cheeses, and yogurt causes terrible cramping. *sigh* I love dairy. I hope it goes away soon.

[Christinamo7 4,041]

Fairlife milk has more Protein and is lactose free.

[Mandy1 17]

I was searching for this topic and came across this thread. After my surgery, I'm now lactose intolerant. I'm four months out and I can tolerate a tiny bit of cheese or yogurt, but too much of either or any amount of milk and I get stomach pain and diarrhea. I hope this is a temporary effect and goes away eventually!