Lactose intolerant post surgery?

Lisa B · 08-12-2008, 07:23 PM

OK, I know only five days post-surgery probably isn't a good time to be making grand pronoucements, which is why I'm turning to the wisdom of the board. :)

I love milk and have always been happy to have a tall cold glass of skim milk by itself or with a meal. Once I was able to start with full liquids I've been mixing my protein powder with 6-8 oz. of skim milk for breakfast. Goes down fine, tastes great, I'm rarely hungry, but I'm stil experiencing what I think of as a substantial amount of gas. Cue today and fewer drugs and the thought of "I wonder if the surgery has made me lactose intolerant?!" It would certainly explain the gaseousness, right?

So, if you were able to drink milk before surgery, can you still do so? If you weren't able to before surgery, can you drink it now? If you could drink it before, are you now not able to?

**Jack** · 08-14-2008, 12:05 AM

If you're talking about stomach and bowel gas....

I think it's pretty early to drawn that conclusion. You'll be gassy for a while until your colon dumps out all the old putrified and fermenting products of your former diet.

The general slow-down of normal peristaltic movement during the early post-surgical episode, and the alterations so effected by change to liquid diet also have their own phase of strange sounds, sensations and odors.

If you make a trial of water-based protein drinks for a few days and find the gas clears up, that's one more data point to use in consult with your surgeon.

littlebit181818 · 08-14-2008, 05:02 PM

I found that I was sensitive to the whey protein as well as the milk. When I stopped both I stopped the explosive experiences in the bathroom (and elsewhere-yuck).

It is harder to get protein but worth the change. Good luck.

Jachut · 08-14-2008, 07:37 PM

I didnt vote because its not that I cant handle milk.

But milk often makes me nauseous now since surgery. I never ever would drink a glass of milk, ergh. But since surgery, a cappucino or latte often makes me feel slightly sick.

But its entirely possible that its not the milk, but the strong espresso used to make it. I handle instant and regular brewed coffee with a dash of cold milk just fine but every now and then a milkier one will make me nauseous.

Lisa B · 08-14-2008, 10:13 PM

Thanks for the responses, all. And thanks, Jack, for that vision of "old putrified and fermenting products" - that is something that is going to stick with me for a while!

(Or hopefully not, as the case may be!)

Jachut, fortunately coffee isn't one of my vices, so I'll take your word that's it's the strong stuff that may be setting you off. Interestingly, I saw my doc yesterday for the one-week followup, he's moved me to soft foods, and I've had a couple of yogurts and some cottage cheese since then. No gas today, but yesterday was really bad - keep me up at night, bad. Who the frell knows what it means, but I'm guessing it's another point toward Jack's putrifying remains. Hee, sorry Jack, couldn't resist.

PS Jachut - you look awesome and are an inspiration. My excuse is that I'm six years older and I'll never wear a bikini like that! ;)

tinywishes123 · 08-25-2008, 10:38 AM

I became lactose intolerant after surgery not once but twice (rebanded due to slip)... Dr thinks it could have been from the high dose antibiotics but not sure....both times it resolved itself

I used lactaid milk and took lactaid pills and probiotics for a few weeks....I think getting back on some mushies and re-introducing milk back into my diet helped at about 2-3 weeks post-op

TulipStar · 08-29-2008, 01:30 PM

I could handle milk just fine before. Immediately after surgery I couldn't. I had to drink lactaid for about 2 months post-surgery and then I was fine.

Now, I can drink regular milk again. It was just a short-term side effect.

SOM · 09-02-2008, 06:42 PM

I am not lactose intolerant, but the same happened to me post surgery. I could not tolerate any diary. I sufered for 4 weeks. During that time, I was on soy milk, which went down fine. Then, once I hit thar one month mark, I was fine..I went back to milk and diary!