First Bowel Movement… dark brown?

[Cee Cee 3 3]

I’m 5 days post op from have VSG and I just had my first bowel movement. It was soft but dark brown. Should I be worried?

[kcuster83 1,503]

Poop is brown, why be worried? What exactly are you thinking?

Blood? You poop would be BLACK and like tar if you had blood in it. It would be very obvious something is not normal.

[Cee Cee 3 3]

It was darker than usual though. Maybe that’s why I was surprised? This morning, I did drink my fairlife chocolate Protein Shake. Maybe that’s why?

[kcuster83 1,503]

Mine changed drastically after surgery, but to a pale sand color. Who knows why. haha

[CFRS 16]

3 hours ago, Cee Cee 3 said:

I’m 5 days post op from have VSG and I just had my first bowel movement. It was soft but dark brown. Should I be worried?

Always verify with your doc, but I'd imagine during your surgery some blood very likely got into your system and it's got to come out some way. If it persists or you just feel something is off, call your doc and ask.

[Cee Cee 3 3]

On 11/07/2022 at 13:40, CFRS said:

Always verify with your doc, but I'd imagine during your surgery some blood very likely got into your system and it's got to come out some way. If it persists or you just feel something is off, call your doc and ask.

I ended up calling the nurse practitioner and she said the same thing after asking me a couple of questions. She said if anything changes, to let her know but she’s not worried about it. I have a follow up appointment on Friday so I’ll see what my doctor says then. Thank you!

[catwoman7 10,981]

various colors of poop is not unusual the first month or so after surgery. Fat malabsorption, Iron supplements, some residual blood from the surgery - this can all affect it. If you're worried, call your clinic - but I personally wouldn't worry about it too much unless it continues after the first month or so.

Edited November 7, 2022 by catwoman7

[CFRS 16]

1 hour ago, Cee Cee 3 said:

I ended up calling the nurse practitioner and she said the same thing after asking me a couple of questions. She said if anything changes, to let her know but she’s not worried about it. I have a follow up appointment on Friday so I’ll see what my doctor says then. Thank you!

Glad she was able to give a bit of comfort! Our bodies can do crazy things and you've just thrown a whole lot at it. I'm schedule for surgery this Thursday, so I'm also glad to know the time frame of the first 'go' after.

[qtdoll 534]

I just checked my Bariatric support book & it only mentions the shape & consistency to be what you have to look out for. It seems color varies for everyone! (assuming it's not jet black or bloody)

[kkomejko 4]

I’m 6 days post op and have had this horrible tar-like poop for 3 days! It doesn’t hurt, but I feel like I’m going to run out of toilet paper soon if you catch my drift! I’m assuming it’s my body getting rid of what ever they pumped into me. Anyone else experience this?