Hi my name is Amanda, I am 24 years old, and I am planning on getting the sleeve surgery done! I was in a car accident six years ago and am now a paraplegic, my weight continues to grow, and makes it very hard to do everday tasks, such as transferring, or even pushing my wheelchair. I am in the process of saving up money, which stinks because I am ready to have the surgery now! LOL! But I guess patience is a virtue! I was just wandering if there is anyone else out there, who has a disability, that has had the surgery? This next question applies to everyone though. It is emberrasing, but what better place to get a truthful answer. Right? Has anyone had any problems with their bowels, (such as diarrhea), after the surgery? Thats my main fear after this surgery is incontanince, regarding diarrhea. I know it's emberrasing, but any input, is much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

While in the hospital and during the liquid phase I was constantly going to the bathroom. The diarrhea was bad and even passing gas was a danger better not chances. I found myself in the bathroom a lot. Once I started soft foods I have the opposite which is constipation, then I have to take milk of magnesium and that causes diarrhea. It is a vicious cycle.

Good luck on your journey

Thank you....Does th diarrhea and constipation, last for life? I hope not....

is anyone else out there, who has a disability, that has had the surgery? This next question applies to everyone though. It is emberrasing, but what better place to get a truthful answer. Right? Has anyone had any problems with their bowels, (such as diarrhea), after the surgery? Thats my main fear after this surgery is incontanince, regarding diarrhea. I know it's emberrasing, but any input, is much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

An awful lot of people have some type of disability or another - so I can guarantee that the answer to your question is "yes."

Diarrhea - you will probably have some when you're on liquids. The amount of time you stay on lquids depends on you surgeon/program. Our bodies aren't great at turning liquids into solids, so "liquids in, liquids out."

Since the liquid phase I've had diarrhea once, and I think it's related to some milk I drank. I only do well with certain milks. Others give me "stomach problems" (pain/cramping, diarrhea, gas, etc.) But this was true before surgery so don't lump it into the automatic side effect category.

I have more of an issue with constipaton, but I'm also trying to keep carbs on the lower side (around 40). Most foods that help with constipation aren't low carb, so I do tend to have some problems. If I go 3 - 4 days with no BM I will add soluble Fiber and Miralax, and extra fluids. It goes in periods. I"ll poop normal (well, sleeve normal, which is so tiny its almost cute) - by normal I mean at least once every 3 days - for a few weeks. And then I'll nee to supplement fiber for a few weeks.

How long constipation lasts isn't really a product of the surgery. Indirectly. It's related to what oods you're eating, in what quantities, Fluid intake, etc. Those are affected by surgery. So I suspect that if it goes away, it's more related to eating more, adding more carbs, etc. as part of a maintenance phase than bcause you're X months post-op.

BTA I've had to go on thefiber/Miralax combo 2 - 3 days at a time,about 10 times now. I've never once had diarrhea from it. I just get a normal "have to poop" sensation. I don' have to dash for the bathroom or anything. But I like to go ASAP, while I still can!

First off, never be embarrased to ask a question here. There are all kinds of questions asked here we would put under the embarrassing question category.

Now, on to your diahrrhea question. I too had it. It was temporary though...about two weeks if I remember correctly. Others have the opposite problem though. It's hard to tell what you might experience since all our bodies are different.

Good luck to you on your journey!

I was in a car accident in 95 that had me bedridden for six years and three major back surgeries before I was able to walk again . I gained over a hundred pounds during that time and the strain it was putting on my spine caused excruciating pain 24/7. After 15 years of pain and not being able to exercise because of the pain I decided to have this surgery. My dr agreed it was necessary and since that decision I have lost 49 pounds and feel so much better. My situation isn't like yours but I know sort of what you are going through. I think yopu will find doing this will give you so much more then you ever though it could.

Along the same lines, I am Pre-surgery, but have been taking psyllium fiber for years. So I'm assuming I can I still take fiber post surgery (not at first, probably?), because I do NOT like being backed up...Clean pipes are healthy pipes

I did from about day 3 post-op to about day 9. I had full control I just went a lot. I was told it was the magnesium in the heartburn medication my doctor put me on. Similar to milk of mag's effects. You can ask for a different one and maybe that will help. By the time I was going to ask my doc about it the diarrhea cleared up on its own.