There are many changes your body will experience after your gastric sleeve surgery.  Due to your new stomach size, your diet will have to be drastically altered to compensate for your new stomach size.  With the gastric sleeve, 85% of your stomach is removed and leaves just a small banana sized sleeve as your stomach.  This radically and permanent surgery produces many positive health changes.

There can also be some minor or major complications after surgery due to your new stomach size.  Stomach pains after gastric sleeve surgery can occur during your all-liquid diet after surgery or while you introduce pureed or solid foods back into your diet.  An adjustment period after surgery is common and needed.  If you choose not to follow the diet guidelines post-surgery, your stomach will not be able to heal correctly, and your weight loss may be at risk.

Some discomfort with digesting certain foods is common after surgery. Discomfort can occur between either at the beginning or end of your digestive system. Common issues occur through constipation and diarrhea.

Diarrhea After Surgery

Diarrhea after gastric sleeve surgery is quite common.  Diarrhea occurs when there is an increase in the number of bowel movements that are often loose and have a watery stool consistency.

There are many different types of diarrhea.

Diarrhea can occur due to a having a virus, bacteria, where your body fights off the germs through having a diarrhea episode.  Another reason for a diarrhea episode is your intestines have too much liquid that leaves faster than it can be absorbed.  Having excess fluids causes diarrhea.

Also, another reason bariatric patients experience diarrhea is that certain foods are not easily digested after surgery.  Dairy and fatty foods are common reasons for having a diarrhea episode after surgery.   Your stomach is still adjusting to its new limited stomach size and food options.

Introducing foods slowly is needed to allow for a positive experience.  Also, being aware of portion sizes and eating in moderation.

Diarrhea needs to be taken seriously due to the high likelihood of dehydration.  Dehydration is the most common reason bariatric patients are readmitted to the hospital.  Preventing dehydration is crucial.

Along with having a diarrhea episode, there is a more severe effect of food intolerance, and that is dumping syndrome.

Dumping Syndrome

Your diet and food choices are the most common causes of having a diarrhea episode.  Eating certain foods often leads to a dumping syndrome episode. Dumping syndrome is another name for rapid gastric emptying.  This occurs when your undigested food in your stomach gets released before it is ready into your small intestine.

Food usually stays in your stomach for up to five hours, then slowly enters your small intestine.  With dumping syndrome, food enters your small intestine in as little as thirty minutes. Side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, feeling full, and cramps.

Secondary symptoms include having your blood sugar drop, which leads to dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, fatigue, rapid heart rate, headache, and the inability to concentrate or think clearly.

Dumping syndrome most frequently happens to gastric bypass patients.

Preventing Dumping Syndrome

Ways to prevent having dumping syndrome is to avoid eating fatty or sugary foods.  Having a healthy and well-balanced diet high in fiber and protein lessens the likelihood of dumping syndrome.  Eating new foods in moderation is key for success and comfort after surgery.

It would be best if you let your body adjust to your new diet and stomach size.  Two weeks after surgery is an all-liquid diet that needs to be followed for your body to heal correctly.  Your stomach will naturally heal as your body moves on from just an all liquid intake.

Other helpful tips are eating slowly with smaller portions and taking the time to chew your food thoroughly.

Recommended Food Habits

To avoid having trouble with food digesting is by having small portioned meals every day.  Avoid drinking at meals and wait thirty minutes before and after eating.

Following this rule allows your stomach to maintain its size and will not stretch.

If you have regular digestive issues, contact your health care team.  This should include your bariatrician or dietician.

Immediate contact with your health care team should occur with you have a dumping episode and have not had weight loss surgery yet.  Another reason for contact is when your symptoms are not controlled or altered through dietary changes.

You need to contact your bariatric team immediately if you are losing a significant amount of weight due to dumping syndrome.  Your doctor will then refer you to a dietician to help alter or curate an eating plan to lessen and eliminate your digestive issues.

Constipation

Constipation is a digestive side effect that may occur with gastric sleeve patients.  There are many reasons for constipation, but too little fiber or certain oral iron supplements may be contributing factors.

Also, caffeine can lead to digestive issues.  To improve your digestive health, it is recommended that you have a healthy fiber-filled diet and an increase in water to compensate.

My Digestive Experiences

Due to the health changes that go along with bariatric surgery, I have experienced constipation more often after my gastric sleeve surgery.  Six months after surgery, I had trouble having regular bowel movements.  My diet consisted of mostly healthy protein and limited carbohydrates.  My system needed an adjustment period, so having patience and allowing my stomach to adapt to my new diet changes was required.  My diet morphed from only liquid to a pureed diet than the solid food.

When my body was finally at a place of calm and steady eating after six months, I would regularly experience constipation.  I increased my water intake and used laxatives to help move along my digestive system.

After 21 months post-surgery, I have never had a diarrhea episode as a result of my dietary changes or choices.  I do not eat fatty or dairy infused meals often. Therefore my system is never thrown for a loop.  Because I have over the past five years had a relatively sensitive stomach, my food choices after surgery were mindful of its effect on my stomach.  The flavors and food choices were relatively mild in flavor.

Overall my takeaway after surgery is mastering the art of patience.  Allow time for your new digestive system to heal correctly.  If you choose to jump too quickly into not recommended food choices, you increase the likelihood of problems. Following the diet plan is crucial for success.  My positive stomach experiences are mostly due to being more cautious and patient with my food introductions.  Your food intake is a serious matter, and working slowly toward new food groups can help you expand your options.