Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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Optifast and terrible side effects

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I really need your advice. I have been on optifast for 10 days now and I have terrible loose bowels. It's like someone turned on the faucet there. I called the surgeon on Friday and he said if it continues to call him Monday. Well, it's Sunday and still going strong. I broke down and took omudium. The surgeon told me not too but I am desperate. I have gone through a dozen pair of pants and a box of diapers. This is so demeaning. Thank God I have a wonderful, understanding husband, Anyway, I stopped the optifast for today and see what the surgeon says tommorrow.
Did anyone go through this? I am really depressed and wondering is this going to be this discomforting the whole time.

My surgery is Jan. 26 and I am really having cold feet. I am just on the optifast and having such a hard time.

Any advice????
I am not allergic to milk either

thanks
Maggie
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi , I am also experiencing diarrhea several times a day. Not sure what to do except drink alot of replacement fluids.
My surg date is also Jan 26 :>

Thanks
marg
deleted_user
deleted_user
Happened to me too pre surgery. All temporary guys :) don't think for a second that this is how it is after. Your body is throwing a tantrum cause your clearing out all the...well...crap we all ate before we changed our diets :). Keep the faith and hang in there. The PRE surgery junk is the most unpleasant part IMO. You can do it! (oh another bad pun!)
deleted_user
deleted_user
@Maggie..........not allergic to milk? are you using milk to mix your shakes? I was also on Optifast for 2 weeks prior to my surgery in Sept and in the beginning I did have some diaherrea but it passed after a few days. Also mine were mixed with water and I was allowed green vegetables only 1/2 cup per shake with only sf crystal light/kool aid/water in between.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I am mixing it with water but I would told it was a milk product????
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would check with the dr's office tomorrow. Sounds like perhaps it could be some type of allergy or reaction to something in the product then. Thank goodness it's only for 2 weeks. IMO that liquid diet was the worst part of the whole experience for me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It's for much longer. I have to take the optifast 3 weeks after surgery too.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Immodium AD Multi Symptom. Lots of water! Try a different shake. Some react to soy and some to whey...

I had explosive diarrhea and wore my mother's diapers for several weeks after surgery... Covered my chair cushion and middle cushion on the sofa with thick towels over a pad...

"Never trust a fart!"
deleted_user
deleted_user
HI I WAS ON OPTI FAST FOR 10 MONTHS WITH 1 CUP OF GREEN VEG A DAY WHEN I HAD MY INTER GASTRIC BALLOON FITTED I HAD TO LOSE 10 STONE TO HAVE MY SURGERY AND I HAD THE OTHER PROBLEM I HAD TO TAKE SOMETHING TO GO , WELL THAT WAS AFTER THE FIRST WEEK WHICH WAS VERY LOSE , I AGREE NEVER TRUST A FART , I HAD MY SURGERY 3 YEARS AGO AND THINKING GOING BACK ON IT AS MY WEIGHT HAS NOT CHANGED NOW FOR 1 YEAR AND AT 22 STONE IS STILL FAR TOO MUCH , I WAS 36S10LB SO ITS WORTH JUST HANGING IN THERE ITS SO WORTH IT BELIVE ME , BEFORE I WAS IN A WHEEL CHAIR I WAS SO BIG I COULD NOT WALK NOW I USE A STICK BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF WHAT THE WEIGHT DID TO ME , I AM SO MUCH HAPPER , JUST NEED TO GET DOWN TO 16 STONE AND VERY SOON IF POSS AS I AM DUE TO HAVE SURGERY TO REMOVE MY LOSE SKIN IT HANGS DOWN TO MY KNEES AND I KNOW ITS BETTER THAN THE FAT BUT ITS SO DISABLEING
hope81026
hope81026
I don't know what you can do but I feel for you.
After I had my surgery I thought I would die from diarreah... but I didn't.
For me I was on an antibiotic which may have been the culprit but it;s all fair game in this journey.
Yes... sadly sometimes wearing a diaper (temporarily) may come into play.
You are about to rearrange your anatomy so be prepared for some suprises.
When we say "it ain't easy but it's worth it" we mean it.
Talk to your doctor and hang in there, Hope
farmgirl392
farmgirl392
I had this same problem pre-op, but nothing even close to it after the surgery. I don't know why it happens, but I had imodium in my purse, on my desk and on the kitchen counter. I, too, suffered the humiliation of uncontrollable diarrhea. It is absolutely awful.

But since surgery, no problems. I had to say that I wasn't drinking Optifast, but a protein powder of my choosing. Same protein powder after surgery, but no problems.

I have no explanation, just encouragement. Hang in there. It will get better. (Did you try adding Benefiber to the Optifast?)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Now I've had this problem since my surgery on Jan, 4th. I'm afraid to go anywhere or to go back to work. I see the surgeon today for my first post-op and am definitely asking him what I can do! I feel your pain!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I feel terrible for you guys!! I came on here because I'm on optifast too but I have the opposite problem, I have bad constipation, have since I started it!!! Doing my head in, feel so bloated.
farmgirl392
farmgirl392
The sad fact is--liquid in, liquid out. I personalliy found that things got better after the surgery. I haven't had the diarrhea struggle since surgery like I did before surgery.

Hang in there. It will get better.
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