Re: What's up with the gas problem?!?

[Guest guest]

Just to add my scents...

I am two weeks post-op. My BMs are still quite loose, though, for

the most part not urgent. But, they are propelled by prodigious

amounts of gas. Either the BMs or the gas, or both, usually smell

quite foul. It is normal for me to have long-lasting gas pains, but

bearable and not terrible ones.

The Devrom I ordered last week has not yet arrived. Luckily, all our

bathrooms have exhaust fans, and I spray Glade Potpourri scent at the

light bulbs to get the vapors going as quickly as possible. Also, I

have learned to flush immediately after each and every deposit, and

to keep as much of the commode covered by my body as i can, so as to

contain the noxious fumes as much as possible. I have started to

take Dairy Care (finally arrived at my pharmacy yesterday), and prior

to that I had been taking Lactaid (didn't help much). I am

minimizing dairy intake, mainly as a precaution, though yoghurt

doesn't seem to bring on gas. I find Silk (soy milk brand name) to

be quite palatable, especially the mocha flavor.

Unfortunately, broiled fresh salmon, with its yummy Omega-3 fatty

acids that are so good for our hearts, seems to evoke the God of

Thunder inside me, and even the most cursory inspection reveals that

the salmon oils have passed right through me unabsorbed. Bummer, as

broiled salmon is one of my favorite foods, and we used to have it at

least twice a week. On the other hand, oily smoked salmon (lox)

doesn't seem to do a number on me. Go figure!

I am comforted by other postings that purport that things get better

after 4-6 weeks, so maybe the bowel uproar won't be a " forever "

mini-curse. But, even now, it is more of a nuisance than a

show-stopper.

This noon, two of my close colleagues and friends drove out and took

me to a neighborhood Chinese restaurant for lunch. I had most of an

egg foo-yung pancake, some tofu and small tastes of lamb with green

onion. So far, my bowels appear to be tuning up to serenade me, but

are not oppressively active. I can handle it!

Sorry if this is more than some of you wanted to know. If any of you

post-op's out there have perspective to add, I'd welcome it.

Steve

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Steve Goldstein, age 61

Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001

Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia

Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51

BMI on 05/17 = 46.7