Gall Bladder Removal - Long Term Health Issues

nvimikeh · Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

My gall bladder was removed over 4 years ago due to severe attacks caused by a single stone about the size of a golf ball (have the pictures to prove it - unbelievable!).

My concern, however, is that although the digestive issues haven't been that difficult to deal with (loose bowel occasionally depending on what I eat), I've experienced a steady decline in energy and have noticed some other physical changes, mostly relating to normal functioning . . . lower energy levels, accelerated aging, and decreased cognitive abilities (compared to before the operation).

If anyone can please provide some information concerning how this operation might affect things such as hormone levels (since as I understand, as a novice, hormones are dependent on proper fatty acid synthesis and that removing the gall bladder may affect this process) or nutrient absorbtion, it would be much apprciated. Also, anything you can offer regarding nutritional or dietary adjustments for post surgery patients would be great. Are there any supplements, etc., available that will replace the nutrients lost due to this surgery?

I just want to live normally with the energy levels back to where they were before, or at least close to it. Have a lot left to do with my life.

Best Regards,
Mike H.

heidi · Moderator Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 539

Hi, from what I have been reading (since I hag it removed too), liver can be weakened due to bile accumulation. Since there is no gallbladder to store the bile, it stays in the liver and its production and delivery may be slower than before the surgery.

When the liver is weakened we feel exhausted and without the energy, so this could be your problem. Maybe you should have your liver checked. Weak liver can also cause problems with digestion.

However, problems with digestion could be due to slow bile delivery. Although it is slow delivery, it is continuous and this may cause loose bowels.

I have been avoiding fatty foods and refined carbohydrates even after the surgery. I continued eating foods high in fiber, fruits and vegetables, proteins and haven’t had much problems with digestion.

Maybe you could see a doc, have blood work done, see if you get any results from there and then have your liver checked.

malex · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

I am having my gall stone removed in 3weeks. last checked it was 3cm in diameter and that was 6 months ago. I have found that over the course of the year while I have been waiting for my operation I have been having the symptoms you described. Low energy, variable stools, and also, easily susceptable to illnesses.

after consulting a nutrionalist I found out that my system was already functioning as if my gall bladder had already been removed. pressure on the liver and the rest of the digestive system causing low absorbtion of nutrients from my diet.

Because of this, I have been learning how to eat healthy and avoiding fatty food, white bread and anything that likes to get stuck in the tracks. Ive lost a lot of weight during this and keeping up with a new rythmn of diet has been exhausting sometimes. but the difference to the pain i used to have is incredible.

My concern is that this general low energy result from a diegstive system under pressure still continue well after surgery. Ive had so many alternative therapists advise me NOT to have it out and to dissolve it (tho i think its too big for that). It is something that is considerably affecting my quality of life, not having the energy to do all the things i want to do. Im only 24 and i feel like and old woman. My question is; are you happy with having your gall bladder removed considering the effects in the long run?

heidi · Moderator Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 539

alm272 · Newbie Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

I've been suffering for over seven years. My gall bladder was removed and it helped a bit but it did not alleviate the other pains. After seven years and many, many doctors, my blood was test for many issues including arthritis and vitamin D deficiencies.

My vitamin D levels were so low that the doctor had me take a supplement of 1000 IUCs, 400 is the average adult dosage. After doing a search I found that vit d helps the body ingest calcium among other things.

After taking vit D for a few months, I've noticed my skin is tighter. My joints do not hurt anywhere what they did. My nails and teeth feel stronger and whiter. My hair does not look old, dry and brittle.

I haven't had but a little bit of discomfort in my stomach. Now I just have to figure out how am I going to lose the 50 pounds I've gained. It seems my metabolism is shot it does not matter what I try to lose the weight. I went from a size 7 to to 14 and I'm so frustrated. If anyone has any ideas please, please let me know.

Thanks!

Guest · Guest

I too have been suffering to the point it is effecting my daily life.
I had my g/b out 7 years ago. I have persistant diareha. You would think with all the pooping I do I would be thin, but nooooooo. I have gained weight. A couple of years ago I had a coloscopy and everything was fine.
I am very excited about the Questran andI am goping to call my doctor today. I do find I do much better on a high protein diet but nothing takes away the diareha. I wish someone had told me there would be these dramatic side effects sooner. I have probably spent thousands on Immodiam AD.

Guest · Guest

I too had my Gall bladder removed about six months ago.
It was kind of unexpected, I suddenly got horrible 'heart burn' one night that persisted for five hours before my husband drove me to the hospital.
When the doctor did the scan and showed me the gall stones I couldn't believe it, I was only twenty and I had always heard that Gall Stones/ Gall Bladder removal is for elderly people (No offense).

None the less, they removed my gall bladder ( which was filled with fifteen pellet sized stones).
For months afterwards I couldn't do the type of excercise I was accustomed to. Running especially, my innards felt like they were shifting everywhere.

I've noticed that I am often drained of energy now, and that I've gained weight.
Before, I had a very good metabolism, and now... I gain weight over any silly thing.
Its very disheartening.

But, thanks to this forum, I have an idea of what it is that is causing it.
Smile

( I hadn't even thought about the bile thing)

Luckily, I haven't experienced the loose bowels or intolerence to alchohol.
This constant fluctuating weight thing is kind of bothering me though.

A lesson this whole ordeal has taught me?
Drink water.
Lots of water.
The Doctor said if I had maintained a recommended 8 8oz glasses of water a day, my Gall bladder would've been fine.
Hopefully nothing else fails me Smile

Guest · Guest

I had my gallbladder removed 20 years ago. I had just finished college, I am a GUY, and like many others I suddenly started to have the most horrible heart burn. However because I was a guy I went to the doctors for months and always went home with the same diagnosis...you are eating too much spicy food. I even became extremely jaundiced (sp?)...I was YELLOW, and still the doctors didn't have a clue.

Finally one night at 3 in the morning I went to the hospital and I wasn't going to leave until someone told me what was wrong with me and low and behold a nurse, working that night shift, asked me a few questions and told me it sounded like I had gall stones. A quick scan of my tummy and sure enough I was full of stones.

However back then they gutted you like a fish to remove the gall stone, and I've lived with a 7 inch scar right down the middle of my stomach. But problem solved, or so I thought.

Wrong - and this is the problem and I think I'm hearing the same thing from people on here.

There is no follow up treatment to clearly explain to people the long-term effects of having one's gallbladder removed. You've heard a lot of them here, but with time they do get worse. I've managed through them and have had a pretty normal life, but my digestion system is not what it should be, and as one gets older it does get worse. I've recently began having serious stomach pain, which the doctor says is irratiable bowel symdrome. It probably is, but I have no doubt it also has to do with the fact that I've gone 20 years without a gall bladder.

I have no had prolems with gaining weight, but I have had unusual displacement of where the weight ends up...i.e. skinny legs, more fat around the tummy, and just feel bloated almost every time I eat.

Do not let any doctor tell you, especially if you are younger, that having your gallbladder removed won't affect the quality of your life. That is a lie.

However, you have to do what you have to do, and my gallbladder had to go.

I think the medical community really needs to start focusing more effort on the long-term effects of living without a gallbladder, and give people more information on how to deal with your diet after it's removed.

Gall Bladder Removal - Long Term Health Issues

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