Problems After Gallbladder Removal

It's been a year and a half since my gall bladder was removed and I still have all sorts of digestive issues. I have found that eating a low fat diet has helped tremendously! Although it hasn't taken my symptoms away entirely (eating low fat is harder that one might think), it is much better than when I tried to eat normally. It takes awhile to get use to, and fighting the cravings for the first few months can be a pain, but it really is worth it. Frankly, just looking at greasy food makes me want to gag. When you go out to eat, ask your server if they have a nutritional guide. Beware, they will often point you toward calorie counters for people who are trying to watch their weight, but low calorie doesn't necessarily mean low fat. I am now in the habit of telling people that it is for medical reasons, not weight loss, and they are usually much more understanding.

I had my gallbladder removed on Nov. 3, 2012. I had the same kind of symptoms as you do. Everything I would eat would give me diarrhea until i switched my diet. I switched to a gluten free diet. I avoid all wheat products. At first i thought fat was the problem but for some reason avoided wheat changed that. i do not experience gas as frequent, bloating, nausea, and haven't had any more diarrhea episodes. I really do not think fat is the problem, it is the gluten (wheat products) which is in mostly everything that is eaten by everyone. try the diet and see how it makes you feel. i would like to know.

I am exactly the same way, it's embarrasing. But for me it happens only around the noon meal, never in the evening. I wonder if that has anythingto do with me taking my meds in the morning?

Hi thank you for your post.I am 63 i had my gallbladder out 15 months ago.I felt fine for the first 12 months,but now oh boy,looking at your list of foods,now shows me where i might be going wrong.
So starting tomorrow i will have some serious denying to do,goly no bananas,my fave fruit.eggs two boiled twice a week.
I sometimes wish i had not had it out,i also feel tired,indegestion is also coming back,but i am blaming that on me getting hooked on chocolate again,so from Leeds ,Yorkshire England i thak you for taking time to put down your problems.i must go back on my diet.

Thank you for this advice i have started to have problems 15 months after having my gallbladder out.I will have to go back on mylow fat diet.
Thank you for taking time out to share your problems,greeting from Leeds Yorkshire England.

my life is just ruined with diarrhea (post cholecystectomy syndrome). I take questran which helps but sometimes constipates yo-yoing back and forth. My lifes joys are gone. I loved exploring and going somewhere interesting on spur of the moment and traveling. I live in constant fear of humiliating myself although in 3 years I have had only 3 embarrassments, every day, and all other times racing at top speed and weeping to wherever i acn find a bathroom. My life is ruined and measured by the proximity of bathrooms. Forget festivals, ocean walks, city streets with no bathroom in sight for more than a block or so. I am so depressed I have to keep thinking of those who are suffering more than I am to keep from ending my life. I am educated, a Ph.D., and feel like a fool for having this surgery. I was very ill, high fever, incredible pain, etc. and let my excellent hospital (NGH) remove my gall bladder, not being told of any other choice but death. I am trying to find a way to continue to have a reason to get up in the morning since my personal way of life is destroyed. Now I have discovered that a statistically higher number of people who develop cancer are those who have had their gall bladder removed and now haave post cholecystectomy syndrome. My physician is excellent and the surgery went well. A year passed before I developed this condition which will last until my death. Shame on me for being so sad when others are suffering much worse health problems. I gained 30 pounds also which is not contributing to my happiness. Many others have had this happen. I envy Mandela who had his stones removed instead of taking the whole gall bladder out. Good luck to you and all of us who are so sad now.

I don't know why you people do no read all of the posts on here. I have posted several times. Have your doctor write you a script for cholestyramine powder (generic orange flavor) . This comes in a round can, loose powder form. I take half a scoop each morning with my orange juice and that is the end of it. Those whining about constipation,,,change your dossage to what works for you. I never have a problem and eat whatever I want. A secondary benefit fromn this is lower cholesterol.

Read my post on cholestramine. Get your doctor to presecribe cholestramine powder oraange flavor and take a measured dose with orange juice each morning and your problems are over. I take half the scoop. Everyone is different. Ben

I had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago, and I have diarrhea after every meal. I am tired most of the time and I eat all the time and don't gain any weight. I went to a naturopatic doctor and was told that diarrhea occurs because we do not have enough bile to break up the food we eat. She has given me Bio-gest which makes bile, has to be taking before each meal this will break up the food. She said I was tired all the time because I do not keep minerals in my body after I eat because of the diarrhea. She also gave me Trubulis synergy to take for my fatigue will help rebuilt my testosterone level. Last I have to take a 1/4 teaspoon of fish oil. Go and see a naturopatic doctor for your problem not a medical doctor.

The reason you have diarrhea is because your liver is prodcuing too much bile. You certainly do not need any more bile. Approximately 1% of those who have their gall bladder removed have diarrhea the rest of their life. You are going to the wrong doctor who gave you misinformation. Go to an MD who specializes in Gastroenterology. Ask him to write you a perscription for Chloestryamine powder. Take one dose each morning with orange jusice the rest of your life and you will be a new perosn. No more diarrhea and you can eat what ever you wish.

Hello I had my gallbladder out 5 months ago, put on weight even though I am on low fat diet weigh more now than before op stomach very bloated still have discomfort on right side of waist front of right side of ribs and right side up back. I had a scan and was told liver and bile duct slightly enlarged but nothing to worry about, anyone else have these. Hope to get a reply

i just had mine removed about 6 1/2 wks ago. i'm  back to my ab workout but have to take it light and started my weight lifting again..hardcore cardio I still can't handle..you don't have to do hardcore exercises but you have to try your best to do some kind of physical activity. it will keep you in shape..I seem to have lost more weight post-surgery than pre-surgery when I was working out harder. your eating habits will change.. I can't eat a full meal..I'll stuff it but my stomach pays the price later.. and I get very nauseous after a big meal..even with some fruits and veggies.. I won't stop eating them but try different ways to consume them. it seems that I have to steam more veggies or sautee them in coconut oil in order for them not to hurt my stomach. as for fruits have to eat in smaller amounts but eat at least 4 small meals a day, otherwise I experience nauseousness and bad stomach cramps. every one is different but too much diarrhea can also cause dehydration and eventually make your health worse..I think anyone with serious side effect like this should consult their doctor

I got my gallbladder removed in 2004 and haven't had as many symptoms as I've read here, but the one thing I noticed right away was that I wasn't able to eat anything that had a lot of oil in it without getting diarrhea within an hour of consumption. After research I found that the gallbladder actually helps digest and break down the oils, but without one its very hard to do. I also gained quite a bit of weight the years after my surgery and found that a diet/lifestyle change was the best thing I've ever done for  myself. I now eat a low fat, low protein, high carb vegan diet. I have cut all oils out of my diet and get my fats from nuts and seeds. Through all of this I have found out that I am gluten and dairy intolerant and break out with pimples if I eat dairy at all and too much wheat. If I eat wheat I extremely limit myself and that goes for oils too (I get pimple outbreaks from all oils as well), which I just try to avoid all together. I eat as much raw fruits and veggies as I want with a cooked meal for dinner. I have lost around 100 pounds of pure fat, I feel the best I've felt in so many years and I have the energy and drive to exercise almost everyday.

I greatly encourage those that are battling with any kind of health issue to make a change to better your life, your quality of life not just from day to day, but from year to year. As a person that can relate it took me 2 years to completely transition to a completely vegan diet. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Yes. My cravings for junk food stopped and if I want something sweet then I get fruit or make myself a low fat vegan dessert. Clean your body out and it will thank you and then you will thank yourself.

Visit diseasefreeworld.wordpress.com for tons of health information including articles, videos from real doctors, and even a 4 week meal plan to help you get started if you need a little help.

I had my gallbladder removed in 2003, and since then I have had bouts with loose stools! Also, before I finish a meal I have to go. In 2008, I had a lumbar fusion done through my stomach which made matters worse.

Hello I did too have my gallbladder removed 45 days ago but I've had 5 days with diahrrea,nausea and bloating. Its a terrible feeling. cant even sleep at night. My stomach sounds like there is a storm going on in there. Very scared. Will call my doctor today to go see him. Afraid to eat. not even hungry havent eaten in 4 days.