Diarrhea post fundoplication

I just found this forum and you look like a knowledgeable bunch of folk.

I started having the most horrible diarrhea 3 weeks post op. I'd been eating soft food just fine, no bloating; really, everything looked positive. Then I had a smoothie from the smoothie store and got the most horrific diarrhea. I'd have a good day on clear liquids then a good day with just crackers and toast then, shazam!, an explosion. One day I had 30 bowel movements in 4 hours. (that's the night I went to the ER for IV fluids - stopping twice by the side of the road).

It's now been two weeks and I'm still having diarrhea. I can't pin it to any particular food, or an amount of food or time-of-day-food-was-eaten.

The gastro doc has tested me for everything and it's not any one of the Bad Things They Test For.

Yesterday I just ate some oatmeal for breakfast and some toast for lunch. This morning - oatmeal then, about 4 hours after eating I had two quick bowel movements.

I've lost 16 pounds since March 27 and I'm afraid to eat.

Anybody got any words of wisdom?

ChevyVan

Thanks for the info! The diarrhea has really been depressing and energy-sapping.

This pdf certainly lays out a sensible-looking eating plan.

But what about if I'm just not hungry? It's been over 6 hours since I ate a small bowl of oatmeal and I don't feel like I could eat if you paid me.


A

As long as it's not being caused by an infection (which it sounds like you've been tested for), you can try some Immodium. Works like a charm! Half a tablet usually enough for me. And it doesn't taste too bad to chew. I had a lot of diarrhea too, I think it was just my body's reaction to liquids only. It really had nothing to do with what type of food I ate.

The SECOND YEAR????? Oy.

Yeah, it seems to me that dumping is the answer. I get the loud gurgles --- so loud that the cats jump off my lap. I think it began with a really sweet smoothie that just pissed off my whole system so it refused to process anything for two weeks.

Then, I was given the standard "diarrhea diet" recommendations --- jello, gatorade, etc. Dumping explains why my system rejected jello!

So, I've had 3 Good Days now --- I've been careful not to eat too much, not much sugar, added protein and/or complex carbs and/or fat with every meal. And no drinking until 45 min after the meal. If during, then it's 4 oz or less.

It's a challenge, that's for sure!

I'm really annoyed that the doctors didn't say anything about this. My surgeon even told me 2 weeks post-op that I could start eating anything!

Hello all,
I'm new to this forum, I found it by googling for answers to some things I am experiencing since my recent fundoplication surgery on 11/13/17.

I am having random bouts of diarrhea. My surgeon did let me know this may happen. However, was not clear why, he just said "it happens to some people & can last for weeks up to a year."

From what I have read on this forum, I believe it is referred to as "dumping syndrome".

It seems to me, again, based on what I've read on this forum, that it is typically due to certain foods & possibly over eating. Although I over ate a couple times because I was so hungry & I definitely regretted it, it was hard to tell if I was full until it was too late. The diarrhea episodes mostly seem to happen when I am active. By active I mean any type of activity where I am up & active for more than 5 to 10 minutes.

For example, today I went grocery shopping to buy the soft foods I am now allowed to eat, I was 'out & about' for about 3 hours total. My stomach was slightly upset within the 2nd hour, by the time I got home there was a storm going on in my stomach, so I took 2 gas x & within a 1/2 hour or so started having diarrhea, that was like water. I had diarrhea 3 times in less than 2 hours. I know Imodium would stop it, but, I was constipated for 3 days (until this morning & that was after I took Miramax twice), so I am afraid to take it. Although diarrhea is pretty miserable, I have been severely constipated a few times in the last few months, which is not normal for me, so I would rather have diarrhea than be constipated as to me, that is much worse, at least I can get some relief with diarrhea. Even after 3 bouts of diarrhea, my stomach was still upset, although it seems to be calming down & so far is just gas now, my stomach is still making loud gargling sounds. Just fyi, I only had 1 danimals drinkable yogurt this morning & a glass of apple juice, as well as a cup of water this evening. I felt good all day, until I was 'out & about' this evening. Also, when this happens, I feel nauseous afterwards so I typically take a zofran, I also have promethazine suppositories but mainly use those when I am nauseous but do not have diarrhea.

I am hungry right now but am afraid to eat anything.

Is this normal? What can I do to prevent it, other than less activity? I will most likely be released to go back to work on 12/11/17 & am concerned about this because I will be up & down, working 8 hours a day Monday through Friday. My job will expect me to be "on point" now that I've had this surgery, as I have been out alot since August when I got really sick with an abdominal infection & gastritis, which put me in the hospital for 4 days, due to the severe pain & on medical leave for a month & a half, as my belief was that it'd be life changing & I'd feel much better, after the 1st 4 weeks.

From what I've read on this forum, it actually takes 6 months to a year to completely recover from this surgery, which I was completely unaware of. I also read that I should only be eating 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of food each time I eat, 4 to 8 times a day, which I was also unaware of. I was told I can eat whatever I want at 5 weeks after my surgery (as tolerable), but, that doesn't necessarily seem to be true, although it hasn't felt any different swallowing & hot/cold food or drinks haven't hurt my chest or bothered me at all, I am extemely nervous to eat potatoes, meat, bread, chips, salsa or green chilé at 5 weeks, even though I am so looking forward to it, as those are some of my favorite foods.

I didn't even need pain meds right after surgery, just a heating pad for the intense shoulder pain, which I was aware would most likely happen, so I honestly thought recovery would be fairly easy & quick. I have only used the prescribed pain meds maybe 3 times & Tylenol about the same amount, typically when I've over done it, food or activity wise. I really only use either when it really hurts.

Last, I was on 80 mg of prontonix & 600 mg of zantac, per day, had a hiatal hernia & my esophageal sphinxter was essentially non existence, prior to this surgery.

Any thoughts, suggestions or input is very much appreciated!

Sincerely,

dee76

Post Edited (dee76) : 11/28/2017 11:38:21 PM (GMT-7)

I had this surgery two weeks ago... I am also going thru this diarrhea issue... 2-3 days nothing, then I get diarrhea. I am surprised to see how long healing will take. No one mentioned that. I have no trouble swallowing, but today I can feel my lunch go down, hurts a little. And my stomach is tender on the side. Of course everything was moved around, ¾ of my stomach was above the diaphragm and colon was in it also.

I am feeling discouraged.. not sure I would do this again.

Thank you for the quick reply, I appreciate it.

I understand it is hard to burp.. and it has been for me too. But, last night I was burping a lot..I hope nothing has come undone. Today I have a little GERD. Somedays I feel so good about this..other days, not so good.

I had a huge hiatal hernia that needed to be fixed. So I did it, but i think this is worse than dealing with that. Hope it gets better.