Greetings Everyone! Hope folks have been well. I have one of those 'delicate/TMI' type of questions, and who better to ask then you fine folks.

I am almost 4 months post-op, (surgery on 01/27/14). I went in at 272lbs. As of this morning, I am 203.4 lbs, (ugh, I am sooo close to 'onederland' I can taste it, haha).

Anyways, I have noticed over the last month or so, that my bowel movements are changing a bit. I have been having the "long thin ribbon-like" bms. I initially thought it was simply cause my new stomach was long and thin, but reading online that doesn't make as much sense as it first did to me. Since only my stomach was changed, wouldn't my normal bm size/shape remain? The thin ribbon like thing is a sign of a blockage/colon cancer, so obviously I'm cautious now.

I wanted to see if anyone else post-vsg noticed a similar change to their bms. Look forward to hearing any replys, especially if your experiences match mine. :-)

You should go have it checked out ASAP. If you aren't able to get it out in the usual manner it's not normal. Having a stomach surgery shouldn't change the overall shape of your stool because your stool is the shape of the colon. It could be that you have a stricture in there somewhere or it could be nothing but definitely get it checked out!

Edited May 23, 201412 yr by beeteroo

It may be because of the kind of food your eating. But get it checked or at least call doc and ask.

Mine have totally changed too. I don't know if it's the same but they are squiggily and much lighter in color.

A decade ago when I was on the South Beach Diet mine were always like saw dust.

I figure that my diet has changed enough that they will just be like that from now on. If I eat something high in fat they change. If I eat bread they change.

Thanks for the comments thus far folks. I found a surprisingly good article ( http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/02/14/normal-stool.aspx ) while looking around. One of the "Good signs" states the following: " About one to two inches in diameter and up to 18 inches long ". Whereas the bad sign states: " Narrow, pencil-like or ribbon-like stools: can indicate a bowel obstruction or tumor ". I think I may just not be used to what is appearing with the change of diet.

I failed to mention I have Crohn's, so am much more comfortable identifying my loose stools than, well, formed stools, haha. It is obviously not the norm for me, but then again, this is potentially an 'improvement' over what I usually have had for years.

I think I'll watch for another week, and if I don't go back to "my norm", then I'll have to shoot my GI doc an email. I just had a colonoscopy last year (I think it was last year, I get them on a regular basis), and not even a polyp the last time.

Thanks for the comments thus far folks. I found a surprisingly good article ( http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/02/14/normal-stool.aspx ) while looking around. One of the "Good signs" states the following: " About one to two inches in diameter and up to 18 inches long ". Whereas the bad sign states: " Narrow, pencil-like or ribbon-like stools: can indicate a bowel obstruction or tumor ". I think I may just not be used to what is appearing with the change of diet. I failed to mention I have Crohn's, so am much more comfortable identifying my loose stools than, well, formed stools, haha. It is obviously not the norm for me, but then again, this is potentially an 'improvement' over what I usually have had for years. I think I'll watch for another week, and if I don't go back to "my norm", then I'll have to shoot my GI doc an email. I just had a colonoscopy last year (I think it was last year, I get them on a regular basis), and not even a polyp the last time.

I see why you are concerned! With crohns you are definitely used to the loose variety! Maybe this is normal for you!

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by beeteroo