My tummy hurts ???? Everyday at some point, my stomach will really start to hurt, feeling gassy and rumbling. Then before I know it, I'm running to the bathroom w/ watery stool. This goes on for hours! And I'm running to the bathroom 10 times. I'm on a clear liquid diet until Thursday when I start full liquids and protein shakes. I'm so uncomfortable. Is this normal, and is there anything I can do?

This sounds a lot like lactose intolerance. Do your protein shakes contain whey, particularly 'whey protein concentrate?' Or are you making them with regular cow's milk? Whey protein isolate, rather than concentrate, is almost completely lactose-free. You could also try making them with lactaid milk or soy milk. I would check with your NUT, or your surgeon if you're really concerned, and see about switching to a lactose-free shake. That might take care of all of your symptoms!

Thanks, but I haven't had any milk or protein shakes since before surgery. I'm on a clear liquid diet until Thursday at which point I can start having protein shakes again.

I'm 2 days post op. My discharge instructions were to call if I had diarrhea or fever. Maybe you should check what yours say, or call your doctor?

I was also on a clear liquid diet for a week post op. No Protein or milk of any kind. I remember the diahrea vividly. When I went for my 1 week post op I was told this was completely normal.

The next week I went to full liquids which included protein shakes, it improved but as soon as they switched me to puréed I then got the other issue of constipation. They tell me this is the high protein low carb diet.

I still deal with constipation and take stool softeners with laxative twice daily.

It is normal for the stage you are in.

I'd call your bariatric team. They may want to test you for C. diff or give you IV fluids if you've become too dehydrated.

I had the same problem around that time. My C. diff test came back negative, so my surgeon said to just take Imodium. It worked.

I'm glad I checked in, even if it turned out to be nothing, cause it could have been a problem.

As another poster wrote, it is normal for a liquid diet!!!