I've got what I'd like to call "Wonky Gut Syndrome", or just WGS. I've put up with a gut that bloats out like a balloon since 2005 and am just now getting irritated by it. I can go from "flat as a board belly" to "balloon belly" in just an hour. It's even caused me to have saggy belly skin (I've had a tummy tuck). Too much stretching and relaxing. This week, my pouch has been super sensitive to food. Ang posted about her belly ache and it got me to thinking about my own issues. Silly that I have put this off for so long.

I called to make an appointment with my WL surgeon. I can't get in to see her until the middle of March, darn it. I could have gotten in to see her partner, but I'm willing to wait for my own doc. I mean, I've dealt with this for three years, so what's another three weeks.

I'm going to take a break and just eat soft foods and drink my shakes for a couple of days to see if I can settle things.

Have any other vets had this bloat problem?

Kim, is it just certain foods, or is it all the time? I think I'd take the 3 weeks to eat as you normally do, but keep detailed records about when it happens. You might start to see a trend (wheat, dairy, etc.) I never paid much attention to which foods caused me issues - until the 5dpt. Once I had carbs/sugar out of my system, my tummy aches (and gassy episodes) all went away.

Hi Kim,

I'm so glad you mentioned this. I too get "bloated", for no reason, it appears. Almost every day. And I've had a tummy tuck too, so when it does this I get "alarmed", I have all kinds of feelings!! But it doesn't hurt....and it didn't do it before my plastic surgery. Although with my big ole stomach, it would have been hard to tell. I also notice, after I eat, and mostly after dinner, that my stomach will get hard. And I've noticed my pouch seems a little more sensitive lately, but I think it is since the 5dpt, I'm paying more attention to it.

I'll be curious to see what your doc says. Toris has a good idea to write everything down, see if there is a pattern....but something tells me you might already do that!!

I hope your "break" helps your WGS!

Hugs to you and your puppies!!

Kim - have you tried "Beano" it might help.
You may be lactose intolerant or effected by certain vegetables.

Good luck!
Click here for Beano Website

That's nasty Kim... How about the carbs? I know you go for a higher percentage of carbs
than I can handle. I know these are the natural, healthy carbs but maybe they just aren't
sitting well with your tummy. But I'm willin' to bet you've already considered that.
Just guessin' here. Good luck finding the culprit!!! The Bloat is the worst!

I've tried BeanO as well as GasX...it's not like it's trapped gas. It seems that Jules has the exact same thing as me! I only started to get this after my tummy tuck! But just like you, I just figured that it was only being noticed because I was all tight...like my new laced up abdomen was keeping the food from going to where it needed to go. And I also get the "hard" belly thing. Super hard. I am going to pay closer attention to when it hits me. It did it during the 5DPT, it does it when I have a plain old chicken breast for dinner. Now, when I have a white carb binge (yes it happens) I will bloat out, but it's a different kind of bloat. I call that PufferFish bloat and I know that I deserve it and I always deflate with the passing of the gas.

So, the next three weeks will be gentle and loving and I will pay very close attention so that I can share with my doctor. I'll keep you all posted!

Kim - sorry you've got the wonky gut. Did this happen after you ate the soup with barley???? grains are a know belly-bloater. Just wondering...

My gut's been wonky since '05. However, I had the huge "just kill me now" attack after eating the beef/barley/veggie soup. There was only a cup of barley in the entire pot...probably about 12 servings. I don't know if I had some beef get stuck or what, but I couldn't even drink water on Monday after consuming it. I'm just now feeling like I haven't been internally assaulted...needless to say, I'm done with ground beef, barley and any combination of the two.

I had some chicken and green beans tonight...half a breast and I'm full, and just a wee bit tender. Sigh.

Kim, I get instant rock hard bloat after certain meals as well. I can/could go from looking relatively flat to pop upper belly in the matter of a meal. I just thought it was the norm but now that I think about it, it hasn't always been that way. I know if I eat minimally and all protein I don't have that problem but I haven't tied it to a specific food...

I have some occasional bloating issues, but nothing like what you describe, Kim. Sometimes the knee-to-chest yoga pose helps me with the bloating. For a tender pouch, I usually drink mint and/or ginger tea and eat small amounts of soft foods for a while. Both the mint and the ginger seem to soothe my pouch. I hope you can get to the root of the problem. Not to be a scaremonger, but bloating can be a symptom of ovarian cancer, also. Best to get it checked out to rule out anything critical. Hope you are feeling better soon. Hugs.

Ovarian cancer...that would show up during the annual PAP right?

No, the PAP is to detect cervical cancer. Ovarian is more difficult to diagnose. I'm not sure of all the diagnostic tools for it, but ultrasound and CA125 blood test are two that are used. I'm sorry - I didn't mean to worry you. It's just something that came to mind with the abdominal bloating, and it definitely needs to be checked out.

Wow! I just want to say that this place is a plethora of information...it never ceases to amaze me that I learn something new almost every time I come to the n'hood! You know I had not thought of it until you mentioned it, but I have noticed the same thing...it looks like I'm about 7-8months pregers when it happens...hmmmm, keep us posted Kim.

The other WGS thing I've noticed since doing the 5dpt is that certain foods (ones I NEVER knew bothered me) are simply NOT for me...I had not noticed it until Nov. '05(remember it because we were on our way to a conference)...I got really sick and my entire meal came up after eating only a few bites of Shrimp Etouffee. Also, after it came up I was fine....and then since that time I have also had the same experience with Chinese food and a couple of other meals...VERY STRANGE cause I have NEVER EVER had an issue with food since wls in March '03 until Nov '05...the other episodes have happened within the past 6 months. Wonky gut syndrome sounds like a great diagnosis to me!

Blessings & luv!

Interesting it is. I do get some bloat but not alot. I just made the bean/barley soup yesterday....did seem a little gassy and such but figured that was the beans...plus I added MORE beans! lol.. 1 cup of barley? My recipe only called for 1/3 cup. I did add a sprinkle more though. You KNOW I just cant LEAVE A RECIPE ALONE! LOL>

I hope that WGS goes away soon..i'm sure that is a yukky feeling to have so often...I know sometimes I look down and think DANG!!! My tummy will look POOCHED OUT but it wont necessarily feel that way. GO FIGURE!

Keep us posted Kim after you appt. Might as well check for the Ovarian thing too...can NEVER be TOO SAFE!!

Hugs, Julie