Question:
when will bowels begin to harden?
At 6-7 weeks post-op I am still having liquid bowel movements. I eat my 2 oz of meat 3 times a day. Getting in 32 oz of water. I do not feel hungry at all. My BM'S are all liquid with some particials. And I have gained 4 pounds when I went to be weighed. How can all this be happening? When will things start thickening up? Thanks — sandy W. (posted on July 24, 2002)
July 24, 2002
I am almost 5 months post-op and my bowel movements are always soft, I know
it's not all from what I eat, but it doesn't really bother me, would rather
have it soft then really hard anyway, sorry kind of gross huh...
— bikerchic
July 24, 2002
I can relate at 3 weeks post-op to having mostly liquid b.m.'s (I'm just
glad I'm going, wasn't the first 10 days or so). However, I think you
really need to increase your water intake. My surgeon wants us drinking 64
oz per day. That of course includes other fluids like milk, sugar free
popsicles, herbal teas (no caffeine) and 4 to 8 oz. of fruit juice, in
addition to water...for the 64 oz. total. Good luck - Anna
— Anna L.
July 24, 2002
I, too, had liquid stools, when I mentioned it to my DOC he did a test for
c. difficle bacteria. I DID have c. diff. and took Flagyl to get rid of
it. At 5 months post op my stools are once daily and soft.
— Connie M.
July 24, 2002
Mine didn't firm up until my 8th week when I started taking my vitamins,
Vista Vitamins. I believe the reason is that the vitamins contain
lactobacillus sporogenes (acidophilus). Remember that many people's
systems are cleaned out with the bowel prep pre-surgery so the amount of
the good critters (flora) is minimal, allowing the not-so-good critters to
survive. The lactobacillus helps balance the system. You can find
lactobacillus (pills or liquid) in most health food stores. :o)
— Jennifer A.
July 24, 2002
32 oz water is WAY not enough. If you are that loose (& frequent?), 64
oz is barely enough. Are you drinking milk? 80% of adults are lactose
intolerant, and of "us", the % is even higher. Try going a few
days without milk products (this doesn't inlude cheese or sour cream or
cream cheese or cottage cheese for life, just for this test) for 2-3 days.
Then drink a glass of milk and see what happens. If it is the MILK, you can
gradually add back in the non-lactose foods and see if htey are problems or
not.
— vitalady
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