Reduce Offensive Flatulence After Weight Loss Surgery
It is quite common for gastric bypass, gastric band, and gastric sleeve weight loss surgery patients to report an increase in uncomfortable intestinal bloating and the frequent release of foul-smelling and offensive gases. Some patients report that the gas problem is so offensive that they suffer from chronic embarrassment that leads to isolation. By its nature, gastric surgery changes the human digestive process and increases the appearance of gas. Also, weight loss surgery patients follow a high protein, low carbohydrate diet which is also known to cause gas. Understanding what causes excessive flatulence is the first step in implementing therapies to reduce the occurrence and offense of this natural body function.
High protein diet: Weight loss surgery patients who follow a strict high protein diet frequently report excessive flatulence beyond the 14 releases per day experienced by adults with a healthy digestive tract. In digestion, proteins are broken down with the secretion of hydrochloric acid which enables the activation of pepsin, a protein-digesting enzyme. Weight loss surgery patients become deficient in hydrochloric acid or pancreatin when their intestines are shortened or diverted by the surgery. Therefore, gastric enzymes and acids to facilitate complete digestion are deficient and excess gas may be produced. A high protein diet, by nature, is a low fiber diet. The absence of adequate fibrous carbohydrates leads to waste material moving too slowly through the large intestine, resulting in constipation and flatulence.
To reduce the occurrence of flatulence associated with a high-protein diet, stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily. Water will help move food along the digestive and intestinal tracts, preventing gas buildup. Eliminate processed meat, cured meat, beans, tofu, and soy products from the diet for several days until symptoms of chronic flatulence abate.
Sugar Substitutes: Weight loss surgery patients are strongly advised to eliminate sugar and sweets from their diet. Many people include products labeled “sugar-free” in their diet to satisfy cravings for sweets. Sugar-free products use sugar substitutes, a term to describe sugar alcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, isomalt, and lactitol, which provide bulk and sweetness to cookies, hard candies, sugar-free gum, jams, and jellies. Sugar alcohols cause a low glycemic response because they are slowly absorbed by the body, making them slow to enter the bloodstream. However, side effects such as gas, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea are so extreme that regulations require food labels to state that “excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.”
To decrease gas associated with sugar alcohols, eliminate or reduce your intake of foods that contain sugar alcohol. Do not exceed the serving size of the package of candies made with sugar alcohol.
Therapies to reduce offensive flatulence: The following therapies may be effective in reducing bothersome and uncomfortable gas and bloating associated with dieting after gastric weight loss surgery.
Beano: A few drops help prevent gas formation. It is not effective in preventing bloating and gas pain, however, it does prevent gas or flatulence.
Chamomile, ginger and papaya teas: good digestive aids, nerve tonics and cramp and pain relievers.
Peppermint Oil: Relieves flatulence and related pain.