Everyone loves to have a fit body. If you have excessive weight, you might be planning to reduce them through bariatric surgery. Or maybe you had gone through this surgery for some weight-related diseases.

This is why your bathroom habit could have changed. And you are experiencing some unusual discoloration of stool.

So, you’re interested to know about pale stool after bariatric surgery.

The pale stool is normal after bariatric surgery. Because it is a huge surgery for losing weight. So, it can affect your biliary system and liver. Your bile also can reserve some fluid which causes you to have a pale stool. If you have it for a few days, then it is normal. But be concerned if you go through it for a long time.  

Don’t be worried. We got you this article for your help. Let’s get to know why pale stool occurs after bariatric surgery. Then what kind of treatment must you take while having these issues? 

 So have a little patience and go through the whole article.

What is Bariatric Surgery? 

Bariatric surgery is a term that is used to explain some particular surgeries. Bariatric surgery refers to a few weight loss surgeries and gastric bypass operations performed combined.

The purpose of bariatric surgery is to put a restriction on the quantity of food a stomach can hold. The body’s capacity to absorb nutrients is also improved. This surgery is performed to help patients who are excessively overweight. 

In fact, there are multiple types of bariatric surgery. The most popular procedures are the duodenal switch, gastric bypass, adjustable gastric bands, and sleeve gastrectomy. 

Also, this surgery is performed to decrease stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure due to being overweight.

After surgery, your body can react to several objects. The stool is one of them. If you notice stool, you might think anything is amiss with your health.

Is Pale Stool Normal Or Not After Bariatric Surgery?

Following a major procedure like bariatric surgery, you may have observed some variations in your typical stools. You should be aware that most variations in stool color are not hazardous. Usually, the changes in the initial days are quite normal.  

Well, if you’ve been through a surgery, your diet normally changes. Your anxiety levels may also rise as a result. Additionally, it modifies your medication schedule. A new stool color may result from any of these modifications. 

Many people experienced darker brown or funky marble stool right after bariatric surgery. But the stool may be pale because it lacks bile if you do not have a gall bladder. 

But research shows that pale stool is not justified whether you have a gall bladder or not. Because your body can produce or use bile for digestion. It might indicate a blockage in the biliopancreatic limb. That is a severe issue that urges to contact doctors.

Well, you don’t need to worry if the pale stool is having for once or twice. But if it is a consistent situation, then you should discuss it with your healthcare specialist.

Now we will know the common reasons for changing the stool color after the surgery. 

What Are the Causes of Pale Stool after Bariatric Surgery?

There can be multiple reasons to have pale stool soon after bariatric surgery. You should be concerned with the causes. This surgery can affect the liver or biliary system, which might cause pale stool. Now, moving to the specific reasons for pale stool.

Biliary cirrhosis

The drainage system of the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder is called the biliary system. A digestive fluid called bile is produced by the liver and kept in the gallbladder. Later, once food enters the first part of the small intestine, it is discharged. 

So, it’s actually a liver disorder when the bile ducts are compromised.

Again, the biliary system can cause congenital disability. This cause cysts in a bile duct which gives you a pale stool. 

Gallstones

After bariatric surgery, your calcium can be stored in the gallbladder, which can block bile ducts. This can cause pale stool quite often. 

Hepatitis A, B, and C

Right after bariatric surgery, your liver becomes vulnerable. During this time, your biliary system could be infected. Consequently liver can suffer from some diseases that can cause a shortage of bile.  And that can be a reason for your stool’s discoloration. 

Strictures

Because of a massive surgery like this, your intestine can be narrowed down.This could prevent bile from moving.

Moreover, a tumor may even obstruct bile flow, that would result in pale stool.

Jaundice

Your post-surgery medical condition can be accompanied by Jaundice as well. It can make your poop pale, along with yellow discoloration of your urine. We are frightened to tell you if your body builds up jaundice after surgery. 

When your pale stool persists for an extended period of time. Then you need to realize that your liver or biliary system may have a major problem. If you face the symptoms for much time. You should not wait any longer to talk to your doctor. 

However, every medical complication needs help. So, you should not wait further after noticing a pale stool for a long time. 

Often the symptoms could fade away by themselves. Otherwise, you definitely need medical attention.

What Are the Treatments of Pale Stool after Bariatric Surgery?

If your poop continues to be paled for a long time, your doctor must find out the cause. That requires a complete medical history. So, you should go through some tests. 

Go through tests 

First of all, go through a blood checkup. You’ll come up with the information if anything serious involves the liver. 

Then you should check your spleen, bile ducts, and abdominal blood vessels. And that is called Abdominal ultrasound.

Do an ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) to examine your pancreas and bile channels.

Pick Up the Right Medication

You definitely go through some supplements and medications to heal your surgery properly. If your medications cause you pale poop. Then you should not waste your time switching your supplements to other drugs which can improve your poop.

On the contrary, your diet also can go wrong. So, take proper suggestions from your health specialist. You might need to avoid alcohol or steroid that is toxic to the liver if your liver is involved after bariatric surgery.

Bile Ducts Surgery

Your body might go through some structural difficulties after surgery. You may experience a blockage in your bile ducts. In that case, surgery might be necessary for you to take away the blockage or broaden the trackway. 

Liver Transplant

If your pale poop is caused by cirrhosis. You might need a liver transplant to resolve your stool condition. 

Antivirals

After surgery, your medical condition stays vulnerable. So, hepatitis can make your condition worse. If the condition is extreme, go for antivirals. 

Gut Health

Maintaining a well-balanced diet and looking after your gut health are also very important factors. After all, if your stomach is receiving junk all other precautions will go wasted.

FAQs

Does your poop change color after surgery?

Well yes. Surgery brings huge changes to your body. It changes your stool color as well. You might notice your stool color turns black, red, and white. If you ever notice any of them, you should not ignore them. Speak with your surgeon right away. Try to determine whether or not there is a danger.

Is clay color stool an emergency?

Clay and white color stool may cause an emergency. Because it indicates that you have a problem in your biliary system. It is the drainage system of the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. The human body has a small intestine where all the nutrients absorb.

Will pale stool go away?

Once you get treated for the cause of having a pale stool. It will surely be overcome. And your stool will return to its normal brown color. If you have any serious diseases like liver disease or tumors, they will not cure soon. In this case, you’ll continue to have a pale stool. 

What is done in bariatric surgery?

Gastric bypass and other weight loss procedures fall under the umbrella term of bariatric surgery. This surgery helps you to lose weight. Also, it does change the digestive system. if calorie restriction and workouts don’t help you lose weight. Some people opt for bariatric surgery as a means of getting in shape. 

Final words

Well, we’ve covered everything about pale stool after bariatric surgery. I hope you’ve got your answer.

We know you tend to be stressed after noticing the pale color of your stool. Especially when it happens after surgery. You don’t need to worry always. But you could take it as a sign of difficulties if it happens frequently. 

It is absolutely ok if you face this. That being said, if you sense something is off, you should consult your doctor.

We tried to cover every detail you might need to know. We hope you get the information as your necessity. Don’t dress much. It doesn’t help but rather worsens the situation. Do what must be done in accordance with your requirements.

Remain concerned about your health. And have a good day!