One-week post-op, eating & diarrhea

[Puchu 0]

Hi - first time posting and new to forum. I am one week post-op for VSG. I traveled for my surgery and am back at work today. I am really struggling with food. I have mostly had broth, and a few sugar-free drink mixes. My first Protein Shake today. I have been struggling with explosive-run-to-the-bathroom diarrhea, not always in direct relation to food consumption. This morning I woke up and didn't make it to the bathroom before having an accident in my pants. I hadn't eaten or drank in 12 hours. This has never happened to me before and I am sortof freaking out. I am scared to upgrade my food at all and my stomach always feels on edge. Do I have to do the protien shakes? Has anyone else had trouble advancing to stage 2 of food consumption?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I traveled for surgery so not have the best access to follow-up care. Really anxious and feeling a lot of regrets right now.

[kcuster83 1,505]

I am not sure I have advise. But, I had diarrhea the first week- week and a half too. (I had bypass)

After that I became INSANELY constipated. Nothing helped, I went 6 days without using the bathroom!

When I did go the first time, it was miserable and took me over an hour. Each time got less painful, and less time in between going.

I am 4 weeks post op now, and go about every other day but it still doesn't seem normal or feel normal.

I never really feel "done" but it's like my body says, that all were letting go of this time. Hard to explain.

I am not uncomfortable anymore and hopefully it keeps getting better.

Good luck, I hope you get some relief but not the Constipation kind!

[suzannethemom 121]

Oh my, I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time. This is not good. I had sleeve surgery a week ago and experienced very mild diarrhea on day 2-3. I drank a shake every day, broth and Jello. You need to take something to stop the diarrhea because you don’t want to get dehydrated. Check with your primary care doctor for advice or go to URGENT CARE.

[lizonaplane 1,613]

Both Constipation and diarrhea are common after surgery (but constipation is far more common). For diarrhea, it's possible you are sensitive to an ingredient in your Protein Shakes - whey Protein often. Try switching to a plant or egg based Protein Drink and see if that helps. Sometimes you will be fine before surgery but have an issue after surgery.

But you should make sure you're reaching out to your surgery center/PCP... or some medical professional!

Constipation can be helped by Miralax, coffee, drinking more fluids, moving your body more, etc. If you haven't gone for a few days, you might consider a glycerin suppository. I had to do that after surgery (surgical nurse suggested it) and it worked in about 20 minutes.

[Arabesque 7,571]

As @lizonaplane said Constipation &/or diarrhoea are common after surgery. Some is from the surgery (which has affected & stressed your digestive system. Your tummy could be producing more stomach acid then you actually need at the moment which will irritate your intestines & bowel. Some is from the liquid diet. I too had an experience of the unexpected & sudden diarrhoea attach & didn’t make it to the bathroom. Yikes!! My friend had a good week of ‘wet farts’. (Her surgeon recommended disposable knickers for that possibility - she was very grateful she bought them.)

Some develop a temporary intolerance to lactose which will cause diarrhoea too. Try a plant based Protein Shake & lactose free milk & other dairy products.

Have you tried some Imodium? It was on my post surgical meds list.

But give your surgeon a call to be sure. The worry is you’re not absorbing the nutrients/protein you need if it’s being excreted so quickly.

Edited April 21, 2022 by Arabesque

[Acptfw 6]

I’m 3 weeks post-op and I had diarrhea for about 1 week. Now is mostly Constipation, but I’m taking Miralax to help.

Also my body just didn’t tolerate any Protein Shake whatsoever. I had a really hard time the first week, but warm fluids definitely helped. Once I could drink some milk or kefir or something else with Protein in it I started to feel a little more human again.

[winkydinks 17]

I've had pretty much the opposite experience when it comes to keeping things down, but in terms of the other issue, I dealt with it for about half a week until it stopped.