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Hi, Healthy Male. Early 30s. I Had An Appendicectomy Back

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Posted on Mon, 15 Oct 2018
Question: Hi,

Healthy male. Early 30s.
I had an appendicectomy back in March 2018, after having had a complex bout of appendicitis. In the process I had an MRI/CT/biopsy which revealed an unhealthy appendix but nothing more sinister, until finally they took it out.

After recovery from surgery my gut seemed to be OK for a while, and things were nearly back to normal. But as time has gone on i've gradually developed a few gut issues and am looking to find out what this means.

After eating certain meals I now develop a huge amount of gas, which is always extremely putrid and foul smelling. This is most noticeable when I go to sleep, and i'm often waking up in discomfort, to pass gas in the middle of the night. It develops gradually, almost as if my body is being very slow to digest food, or the gas is getting stuck?

My diet is pretty healthy and consistent. I eat very low sugar, avoid all dairy, and fodmaps, along with anything likely to produce excess gas. Still, the problem remains.

Some foods do bring it on far worse than others - but it's almost as if the operation has made me intolerant to certain foods. However the issue seems to be there in some form, regardless of what I eat. I imagine it would be easy to put this down to "IBS" - but this has developed very specifically after surgery.

Do you have any thoughts on this or ideas on what i could do?
thanks,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anders Mark Christensen (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It could be bacterial overgrowth.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Jons61820,

I don't suspect that there is a connection with your appendectomy. Rather, it could be small bowel bacterial overgrowth. You can try probiotics over the counter or avoiding the food items that trigger it. Considering the almost chronic nature of your symptoms - and before IBS can be ascertained - you should undergo colonoscopy.

Hope this helps.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Anders Mark Christensen

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2016

Answered : 1563 Questions

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Hi, Healthy Male. Early 30s. I Had An Appendicectomy Back

Brief Answer: It could be bacterial overgrowth. Detailed Answer: Hi Jons61820, I don't suspect that there is a connection with your appendectomy. Rather, it could be small bowel bacterial overgrowth. You can try probiotics over the counter or avoiding the food items that trigger it. Considering the almost chronic nature of your symptoms - and before IBS can be ascertained - you should undergo colonoscopy. Hope this helps.