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

[Guest guest]

EC,

I had my open DS on 04/20 and while I did have loose smelly stools/gas once

or twice per day for the first week or so, the problem really already seems

to have resolved. At this point I am only having stools every second or

third day and they may be just a bit smellier than preop, but really nothing

to worry about.

This may change in time, but that's where it stands at this point.

Dawna

[Guest guest]

EC:

Everybody's different. Some have serious gas and it can be a real problem. But for most it is not. It hasn't been for me. I have lots of gas and occasionally it gets pretty rank but I can control when and where I lay the clouds and can control the odor somewhat by what I eat. I haven't really had the problems that many do with odor of my BMs but the same thing applies. There are sprays that help and what I eat can also help control the odor.

Hope that helps.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 240http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

What's up with the gas problem?!?

> Hi Folks,> > I'm still preop but having my surgery on June 15th - Woo Hoo!!> > However, what's with this gas issue?!? Is it really that big of a > problem? How have some of you handled this? Does it happen all the > time or just after you've eaten certain foods? Has it disrupted your > lives in anyway?> > Please give me your most honest answers! Don't be afraid that you're > going to "scare" me. I'm sooooo ready to start my new life that I > just want to know all the bumps in the road so that I can deal with > them when I get there!> > Thanks!> > -EC> 235, 5'4 BMI 40 > 28 yrs. old> > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

[Guest guest]

EC:

Everybody's different. Some have serious gas and it can be a real problem. But for most it is not. It hasn't been for me. I have lots of gas and occasionally it gets pretty rank but I can control when and where I lay the clouds and can control the odor somewhat by what I eat. I haven't really had the problems that many do with odor of my BMs but the same thing applies. There are sprays that help and what I eat can also help control the odor.

Hope that helps.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 240http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

What's up with the gas problem?!?

> Hi Folks,> > I'm still preop but having my surgery on June 15th - Woo Hoo!!> > However, what's with this gas issue?!? Is it really that big of a > problem? How have some of you handled this? Does it happen all the > time or just after you've eaten certain foods? Has it disrupted your > lives in anyway?> > Please give me your most honest answers! Don't be afraid that you're > going to "scare" me. I'm sooooo ready to start my new life that I > just want to know all the bumps in the road so that I can deal with > them when I get there!> > Thanks!> > -EC> 235, 5'4 BMI 40 > 28 yrs. old> > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

[Guest guest]

EC:

Everybody's different. Some have serious gas and it can be a real problem. But for most it is not. It hasn't been for me. I have lots of gas and occasionally it gets pretty rank but I can control when and where I lay the clouds and can control the odor somewhat by what I eat. I haven't really had the problems that many do with odor of my BMs but the same thing applies. There are sprays that help and what I eat can also help control the odor.

Hope that helps.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 240http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

What's up with the gas problem?!?

> Hi Folks,> > I'm still preop but having my surgery on June 15th - Woo Hoo!!> > However, what's with this gas issue?!? Is it really that big of a > problem? How have some of you handled this? Does it happen all the > time or just after you've eaten certain foods? Has it disrupted your > lives in anyway?> > Please give me your most honest answers! Don't be afraid that you're > going to "scare" me. I'm sooooo ready to start my new life that I > just want to know all the bumps in the road so that I can deal with > them when I get there!> > Thanks!> > -EC> 235, 5'4 BMI 40 > 28 yrs. old> > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

[Guest guest]

For me, immediately post-op, back at home, gas was bad

for the first 4 days or so. This was only at night.

Not painful gas, just gas. I'm shy to talk about this,

but none of you know me, so... I was just farting a

lot at night in bed. That doesnt happen to me anymore

at 6 weeks post op unless I drink milk, which I did

once. I'm not a milk drinker.

I did, however, experience some painful gas bloating

once that lasted about 20 hours. I had eaten some

hearts of palm, like 3 of them over the course of the

night. This was the first time I had eaten more than a

bite of veggies. Gas X helped for about an hour, then

I had to keep chewing on them. It was horrible because

I was at work the next day, just really uncomfortable.

I was praying to God to let me fart!!! It finally

happened that night. YAY. I am real careful with

veggies now.

Well, that's my experience. Everyone's will be

different.

Jill K in NY

6 weeks post-op

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

For me, immediately post-op, back at home, gas was bad

for the first 4 days or so. This was only at night.

Not painful gas, just gas. I'm shy to talk about this,

but none of you know me, so... I was just farting a

lot at night in bed. That doesnt happen to me anymore

at 6 weeks post op unless I drink milk, which I did

once. I'm not a milk drinker.

I did, however, experience some painful gas bloating

once that lasted about 20 hours. I had eaten some

hearts of palm, like 3 of them over the course of the

night. This was the first time I had eaten more than a

bite of veggies. Gas X helped for about an hour, then

I had to keep chewing on them. It was horrible because

I was at work the next day, just really uncomfortable.

I was praying to God to let me fart!!! It finally

happened that night. YAY. I am real careful with

veggies now.

Well, that's my experience. Everyone's will be

different.

Jill K in NY

6 weeks post-op

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/16/01 3:58:58 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< However, what's with this gas issue?!? Is it really that big of a

problem? How have some of you handled this? Does it happen all the

time or just after you've eaten certain foods? Has it disrupted your

lives in anyway?

Please give me your most honest answers! Don't be afraid that you're

going to " scare " me. I'm sooooo ready to start my new life that I

just want to know all the bumps in the road so that I can deal with

them when I get there!

>>

EC: I'm not going to invalidate anyone else's response if it's different -

we have

vastly varying experiences with this. But, as the voice of good cheer I can

reassure you I haven't had major problems with gas as a post-op. Sometimes

the gas is pretty smelly, usually happens in the evenings when this occurs.

However, for the most part, it is NOT a dehabilitating experience for me nor

is it unbearable. Same for my bm's. I am pretty regular having them when I

get up, sometimes at night and rarely during the day. They were really loose

initially but now are harder more times than not.

So, Yes - gas can be a big problem but there are ways of dealing with it (I

haven't taken any devrom, charcol, etc. but I've heard people experience

relief with these). Some of us do NOT get extreme gas or regular gas. I'm

sure it's a result of something I eat when it happens because it is not a

daily occurance, but I really haven't kept track like I should of what I ate.

It just hasn't been so outrageous that I'd swear off any foods, etc. as a

result.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

all the best,

lap DS with gallbladder removal

DR. GAgner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC

January 25, 2001

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5'9 " )

now: 256 lbs (the scale is moving down again!! YIPEE!)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/16/01 3:58:58 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< However, what's with this gas issue?!? Is it really that big of a

problem? How have some of you handled this? Does it happen all the

time or just after you've eaten certain foods? Has it disrupted your

lives in anyway?

Please give me your most honest answers! Don't be afraid that you're

going to " scare " me. I'm sooooo ready to start my new life that I

just want to know all the bumps in the road so that I can deal with

them when I get there!

>>

EC: I'm not going to invalidate anyone else's response if it's different -

we have

vastly varying experiences with this. But, as the voice of good cheer I can

reassure you I haven't had major problems with gas as a post-op. Sometimes

the gas is pretty smelly, usually happens in the evenings when this occurs.

However, for the most part, it is NOT a dehabilitating experience for me nor

is it unbearable. Same for my bm's. I am pretty regular having them when I

get up, sometimes at night and rarely during the day. They were really loose

initially but now are harder more times than not.

So, Yes - gas can be a big problem but there are ways of dealing with it (I

haven't taken any devrom, charcol, etc. but I've heard people experience

relief with these). Some of us do NOT get extreme gas or regular gas. I'm

sure it's a result of something I eat when it happens because it is not a

daily occurance, but I really haven't kept track like I should of what I ate.

It just hasn't been so outrageous that I'd swear off any foods, etc. as a

result.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

all the best,

lap DS with gallbladder removal

DR. GAgner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC

January 25, 2001

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5'9 " )

now: 256 lbs (the scale is moving down again!! YIPEE!)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/16/01 3:58:58 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< However, what's with this gas issue?!? Is it really that big of a

problem? How have some of you handled this? Does it happen all the

time or just after you've eaten certain foods? Has it disrupted your

lives in anyway?

Please give me your most honest answers! Don't be afraid that you're

going to " scare " me. I'm sooooo ready to start my new life that I

just want to know all the bumps in the road so that I can deal with

them when I get there!

>>

EC: I'm not going to invalidate anyone else's response if it's different -

we have

vastly varying experiences with this. But, as the voice of good cheer I can

reassure you I haven't had major problems with gas as a post-op. Sometimes

the gas is pretty smelly, usually happens in the evenings when this occurs.

However, for the most part, it is NOT a dehabilitating experience for me nor

is it unbearable. Same for my bm's. I am pretty regular having them when I

get up, sometimes at night and rarely during the day. They were really loose

initially but now are harder more times than not.

So, Yes - gas can be a big problem but there are ways of dealing with it (I

haven't taken any devrom, charcol, etc. but I've heard people experience

relief with these). Some of us do NOT get extreme gas or regular gas. I'm

sure it's a result of something I eat when it happens because it is not a

daily occurance, but I really haven't kept track like I should of what I ate.

It just hasn't been so outrageous that I'd swear off any foods, etc. as a

result.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

all the best,

lap DS with gallbladder removal

DR. GAgner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC

January 25, 2001

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5'9 " )

now: 256 lbs (the scale is moving down again!! YIPEE!)

[Guest guest]

Hi EC,

I am also being switched on June 15th, so that makes us switchmates!!!

~hugs~

If you do end up having a problem with smelly gas, there are products out

there that will take the smell away that are supposed to work wonders!!!

~grins knowingly at certain postops~ Deverom and activated charcoal seem to

be the two biggest, though there are many other combinations out there...

Some like the sprays that take the smell out of the air and others light a

match... As long as you know there could be a problem, you will be able to

figure out which solution works best for you!!!

Take Care!

Rabecca

DS on June 15, 2001

[Guest guest]

Hi EC,

I am also being switched on June 15th, so that makes us switchmates!!!

~hugs~

If you do end up having a problem with smelly gas, there are products out

there that will take the smell away that are supposed to work wonders!!!

~grins knowingly at certain postops~ Deverom and activated charcoal seem to

be the two biggest, though there are many other combinations out there...

Some like the sprays that take the smell out of the air and others light a

match... As long as you know there could be a problem, you will be able to

figure out which solution works best for you!!!

Take Care!

Rabecca

DS on June 15, 2001

[Guest guest]

Hi EC,

I am also being switched on June 15th, so that makes us switchmates!!!

~hugs~

If you do end up having a problem with smelly gas, there are products out

there that will take the smell away that are supposed to work wonders!!!

~grins knowingly at certain postops~ Deverom and activated charcoal seem to

be the two biggest, though there are many other combinations out there...

Some like the sprays that take the smell out of the air and others light a

match... As long as you know there could be a problem, you will be able to

figure out which solution works best for you!!!

Take Care!

Rabecca

DS on June 15, 2001

[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

--

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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