gas

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/4/01 11:00:05 AM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< I hear a lot of people talking about gas problems. I am only a pre-op but

a

post op told me she takes a supplement called, DEVROM which works for her. Is

the gas a major problem with the DS surgery and is it uncontrollable? Just

wondering. Thanks a million. Sincerely, Doreen V.

>>

Doreen: I may not be the norm but I honestly have not had extreme gas

problems. When they occur, I'm in a state of shock. It's like a rude

awakening that I had this surgery and it ws a serious re-arrangement of my

intestines.... I have only had bad reactions to a few foods: Broccoli on my

first eating post-op (at under three weeks - it was a pressure feeling that

subsided within 20 minutes) without any subsequent reactions to it; upper

intestinal aches and discomfort when I ate stir fried chicken and celery; the

latest was an all-out gas attack after drinking a kiwi shake with little kiwi

seeds two days ago! I was miserable! I had two other moments of extreme

discomfort but not gas pain: Once when I stupidly ate three (or was it

four?) mini cinnamon buns and they totally expanded in my stomach.. I thought

I might explode! The other time was when I drank a protein shake and took my

iron and calcium and had extreme stomach spasms (just like immediately

post-op)... I'm not sure why the shake (the same one I've had before many

times) caused such a reaction but those stomach spasms were bad.

I am now seven months post-op and really have experienced a remarkable

recovery. Sure, I was pretty sore right after the surgery and it was

difficult to get up to walk (the first time I tried to get out of bed - ouch

extreme!). But, I walked a lot and each walk was more comfortable and less

painful. I took a shower by myself two days post-op and it felt

wonderful! I was walking 6 blocks right out of the hospital and I KNOW that

really helped. I was bloated and sore but could sleep on my back and sides

in my bed (I only took pain meds when I wanted to sleep so I wouldn't have

that nagging discomfort for the first few weeks). I was eating 4 oz in the

first week post-op and got my 75 gms/protein in (with the help of

supplements, of course). AT three weeks post-op, I started added meats to my

diet and didn't have problems with any meats, although I'd heard that some

people had difficulties digesting chicken.

Now, at about 5-6 months post-op onwards, I've really NOT felt hungry at all.

It's been difficult to get much food in and I've really had to try to get

the liquids and nourishment in. But, these periods are broken with times

where I feel absolutely RAVENOUS (Usually when I start losing weight again!

I become uninterested in food when I'm on a plateau)!!!

I've had spicy stuff, peppers, onions, carribean seasoning, rice, bread,

noodles, etc. without incident. Granted, my ability and capacity to eat

carbs is restricted b/c I don't have much room left after the protein and

that's a GOOD THING because I ate WAY TOO MANY carbs pre-op!

So far, my skin has been adapting very well to the weight loss (perhaps

because it hasn't been really extreme or quick). I've been feeling great and

have an increased energy level. I've lost over 80 lbs so far and have about

60 more to go to a point where I think I'll be near a 'normal weight' for my

height/etc.

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/mt. sinai/nYC

seven months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 225

[Guest guest]

Fro me, the biggest problem with the DS has been the gas. It gets

going in the afternoon and keeps going through out the night. Nothing

short of Flagyl has worked for me, even with that, I have barely kept

it in check. Those farts are deadly too. I had to get a couple of

fans to blow the farts out the bedroom window and I can smell it all

over the backyard when I go outside. I need to get a dog to blame it

on.

> Hello everyone,

>

> I hear a lot of people talking about gas problems. I am only a pre-op but a

> post op told me she takes a supplement called, DEVROM which works for her. Is

> the gas a major problem with the DS surgery and is it uncontrollable? Just

> wondering. Thanks a million. Sincerely, Doreen V.

[Guest guest]

Hi again, Doreen!

Gas was a problem for me early on but not anymore. I get it occasionally

but its not bad unless I eat alot of gassy foods such as cabbage and things

like that. Im also lactose intolerant so I dont drink milk. My husband

tried devrom and it didnt work for him. (I hate the devrom bathroom spray

too...smells terrible so i like the orange citrus better)

Our surgeon put him on Flaygl, an antibiotic, to kill some of the bad guys

in the gut which really cut down on the gas and the smell! Things are back

to normal now!!

Judie

[Guest guest]

I just sent this e-mail to , I am still laughing at the last

paragraph and decided to share with my friends in case you all have input or

need a

laugh.

When you had the UTI, did you have all of this painful gas.  As soon as I try

to eat or drink anything I swell up like a balloon, very painful.  Including

water.  My head is clearing up, so I know the infection is lessening, but the

terrible gas is still here. I am drinking chicken broth and up it goes again.

I need information for when I call the doc if this persists into Monday. I

don't think my coworkers are up for something like this.

P.S. What time is the call in show, this would make a great topic.  Do you

think Carnie had a problem with this when posing naked.  My sick mind is always

conjuring up hysterical stuff, even when in misery.

Fay

[Guest guest]

I had the same problem. I am about 7 weeks post op and the gas will fade it

takes some time thou. i was taking gas X it helped. But once you start to go to

the bathromm the gas will start to go as well.

Chris

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