Gall Bladder issues

[projectgallbladder]

Saddest thing of all - after losing so much weight from low crab diets, exercise and increase good health programmes, there is a high likely hood of developing Gallstones. Then you are told to have a the stone removed via Gallbladder Surgery, then to find out afterwards massive weight gain will occur due to the imbalances. Before your eyes 7 years of weigh loss is replaced with more weight than you started. Severe bloating and rolls of fat specific to the belly will not come off. And that is only the start of problems that begin to take out your health.. Why... because one losses weigh rapidly


Post gallbladder surgery sufferers have been trying to explain to surgeons, doctors and medical health specialist for years... There are major post opp problems from having this elective surgery. If you have time... please share your full experience to members of this dedicated site who are desperately looking for answers and actively supporting one another. Thanks John www. lifeaftergallbladder .com

[wen774]

I had mine out in June. No real issues with the surgery. I had stones in the gallbladder and blocking the bile duct. My doctor required 2 weeks of a liquid diet before my surgery to reduce inflamation. He says that this makes a huge difference in complication rates in his practice.

The only trigger I discovered before my surgery was ice cream. I very rarely ate dairy though. I tried some of the natural remedies, but after my 3rd ER trip, I just wanted that sucker out.

I was having issues with diarheah before and since my surgery. I had attributed it to the surgery, but have since discovered that it was actually being caused by another medication I was taking.

Fawn, do you think there are any supplements that would be particularly benefitial for someone without a gallbladder?

[O2BME]

Originally Posted by wen774

I had mine out in June. No real issues with the surgery. I had stones in the gallbladder and blocking the bile duct. My doctor required 2 weeks of a liquid diet before my surgery to reduce inflamation. He says that this makes a huge difference in complication rates in his practice.

The only trigger I discovered before my surgery was ice cream. I very rarely ate dairy though. I tried some of the natural remedies, but after my 3rd ER trip, I just wanted that sucker out.

I was having issues with diarheah before and since my surgery. I had attributed it to the surgery, but have since discovered that it was actually being caused by another medication I was taking.

Fawn, do you think there are any supplements that would be particularly benefitial for someone without a gallbladder?

Good question!! I had mine out years ago and mine were blocking the bile duct. I almost died I was in the hospital 2 weeks. Once I had the surgery, I was fine, but if the stones block the ducts it can be extremley dangerous. And I am all too familiar with the bathroom issues, so when I say I got go, GET OUT OF MY WAY, I WILL KILL FOR A BATHROOM. LOL

[lisabinil]

Originally Posted by shapeup1

There are out there a lot of "gallstone flush" recipes, some people swear by them.......

These things can be a lot of bunk. I just read the results of a flush done with olive oil. The residue or lumps the person excreted were medically tested and it turns out it was mostly olive oil not bile or gallstones-surprise.

[dbaldes]

There seems to be a little confusion about the pathophysiology of gallstones on this board, and since I have some specialized knowledge, I'll share it.

The vast majority of gallstones (80%) are made of cholesterol and a little bile. They are not calcified. They are little brown lumps. The other 20% are made of bile conjugated with calcium salts. However, you do not get these 20% unless you have 1) a problem with your liver, 2) a disease resulting in increased breakdown of blood and subsequently, hemoglobin.

Women are more likely to get gallstones because estrogen promotes the synthesis of cholesterol. This is why you get gallstones on hormone replacement therapy or when you are pregnant.

No particular diet predisposes one to developing gallstones, but it is correct to say that if you are on an extremely low fat, low calorie diet, your gallbladder may be less active, and you may be more likely to develop a cholesterol stone, particularly if you are rapidly losing weight. However, to suggest that the bile "calcifies" is completely incorrect.

There has been absolutely no evidence to suggest that using supplements or changing your diet can prevent having your gallbladder out if it needs to come out. The bottom line is that some people will have some gallstones and maybe some bile sludge, and the stones will break down on their own and be reabsorbed. Others simply won't. Ignoring gallstones can be and often is VERY dangerous.

The only side-effect of having your gallbladder out is that when you eat a fatty meal, you will have fatty diarrhea (steatorrhea). Otherwise, there are really no effects.

[FloridaShell]

Alot of people blame Atkins for their gallbladder problems, I happen to know a few!

[Edwards20]

I had my gallbladder removed YEARS ago shortly after the started doing the surgery via the belly button. I was fat and fair and female, but no where near forty. I had a rough time. I honestly haven't noticed a whole lot of difference in the pain. Twice since then, I've had to had a bile duct unstopped .... I wish I had the "bathroom" issues sometimes.

[fawn]

bile salts are a good idea to supplement with after gall bladder removal. This helps eliminate the diarreah. I would also consider digestive enzymes.

[didi]

I work with 3 women who had their gall bladders removed. All 3 NEED to go to the bathroom right after lunch, it can be gross for the rest of us to go in after them. At our job, you have to beg and plead almost to get permission to leave your spot and a replacement for you on the line. I never want to have that problem.

[KlingonBabe]

I've had my gallbladder removed and I have no digestive problems whatsoever.

During the six months preceding the removal, I thought I was going to die.

[didi]

All 3 of the women I posted about blame their digestive problems on the removal of their gall bladder.

I wonder why it affects some and not others. They all said it has only happened since surgery. They say that eating makes them go. One girl only eats a small amount at lunch (banana and granola bar) because she is so self conscious.

Maybe their diet?

[dbaldes]

Originally Posted by didi

All 3 of the women I posted about blame their digestive problems on the removal of their gall bladder.

I wonder why it affects some and not others. They all said it has only happened since surgery. They say that eating makes them go. One girl only eats a small amount at lunch (banana and granola bar) because she is so self conscious.

Maybe their diet?

It's the fat that you can no longer digest. You can eat a great big low fat meal with no gall bladder and just be fine. But if you put dressing on your salad, be ready for diarrhea.

[KlingonBabe]

Originally Posted by dbaldes

It's the fat that you can no longer digest. You can eat a great big low fat meal with no gall bladder and just be fine. But if you put dressing on your salad, be ready for diarrhea.

I have no gallbladder. I eat eggs fried in bacon grease with a side of bacon or fatty pork sausage and a cup of tea with a generous splash of heavy cream each morning. I had some romaine thickly coated in dressing for lunch, and I didn't have to run for the potty. I am about to sit down to a dinner of grilled strip steak, crispy fat bits, dipping butter, turnips roasted in plenty of olive oil, and I *KNOW* I won't have the runs tonight.

[mamagiff]

I've almost never had any problems since the surgery last spring...maybe once or twice shortly after and I use fat freely most of the time.

[dbaldes]

Originally Posted by KlingonBabe

I have no gallbladder. I eat eggs fried in bacon grease with a side of bacon or fatty pork sausage and a cup of tea with a generous splash of heavy cream each morning. I had some romaine thickly coated in dressing for lunch, and I didn't have to run for the potty. I am about to sit down to a dinner of grilled strip steak, crispy fat bits, dipping butter, turnips roasted in plenty of olive oil, and I *KNOW* I won't have the runs tonight.

Right, for you, but when people do have problems, they are directly related to the amount of fat that they eat.

I am not trying to suggest that "everyone" will have trouble digesting fat, I'm saying that when people do have the digestive problems, it is because they cannot digest the fat.

In medicine we talk about what is typical, not what is the exception.

BTW, do you have an issue with doctors?

[KlingonBabe]

Originally Posted by dbaldes

BTW, do you have an issue with doctors?

Not with good ones, who actually listen to their patients and respect the differences between individuals.

[dbaldes]

Originally Posted by KlingonBabe

Not with good ones, who actually listen to their patients and respect the differences between individuals.

Are you trying to say something about me personally? Do you even know me? Have I ever taken care of you? Do you know what kind of grades I got in medical school for humanism, professionalism, and patient communication? NO.

If you have a problem with me directly, please either state it, or stop with your inflammatory responses to my posts.

I know you're a Klingon warrior, but I'll stop defending physicians if you stop attacking them. We can have a peace treaty.

[Edwards20]

My sister has the digestive issues since the surgery, but again I've never had trouble with it. I need lots of fiber/flax if you know what I mean.

[totallyme]

I had my first attack when I was 5 months pregnant......I was 23, prepregancy weight 112, gained the healthy amount of weight so they assumed it was heartburn. After having my baby I had several more attacks. They couldn't figure out what was wrong until something showed abnormal with my liver through bloodwork. 20 months after the first attack I had my gall bladder removed; that was 24 years ago. Thanks to all those that shared the info why pregnant women get gall stones.

[linda5508]

I've heard that you might get a few scars but it's a huge relief from the pain.

[Leo41]

It is no longer an "overperformed" surgery. I had gallbladder issues for several years, but unlike OP, tests showed no stones or other problems that would require surgery. I would have been happy to have it out, considering the pain I experienced, but no doctor would approve a surgery without a medical REASON that it was necessary.

OP--have the surgery. If done when you're not having an attack, it's a relatively mild surgery. A woman I worked with had hers out on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday, so please don't worry about time lost for work.

HOWEVER, if you put this off and wind up needing emergency surgery, it's very serious. You don't want that.

Don't try any 'natural' remedies--you can put yourself in a critical condition, and wind up with a very serious surgery.

[pure_radiance]

I have had terrible pain and nausea constantly since last Thursday, I go for an ultrasound tomorrow....dr thinks it is very possible gallbladder. I have had digestive issues my entire life....first diagnosed as IBS at 20 years old, only to find out at 35 that it's actually Celiac.....this pain is worse....it feels like I am having a heart attack.

I am all for natural remedies, considered becoming a naturopath, but I am not sure what I would do yet if it is my gallbladder. I have had trouble digesting eggs, sausages, peppers, cucumbers for as long as I can remember......if getting it out can relieve that.....hmmmm.....

Anyway, I dread going to bed tonight....sitting up, the pain....I hardly ate anything today...applesauce, cup of white rice and about 1/2 plain baked potato......and I am still belching and in pain.....

[pure_radiance]

Ultrasound showed a 1.5 cm stone...clear as day. So, I am just waiting for the report to get to my MD....and see what he recommends. I still feel tight/crushing chest pain, with occasional sharp jabs .....it's been a week now....I am leaning to the "take it out" option...I haven't had any fat for 3 days and still feel like hell....it's just not subsiding.

[pchick]

I was having painful attacks and found I had a large stone ~ my doc wanted to remove the gall bladder, but I wanted to keep it so I went to a really good acupuncturist. With acupuncture and chinese medicinal herbs, the pain was gone, but the stone had been there for so long it had fused to the gall bladder itself. So for my particular situation, acupuncture didn't work.
It can work if you have small stones though... and it works for helping with all the symptoms. I highly recommend it.
I also tried olive oil and lemon juice as a flush... all that happened was I threw up for hours, didn't help anything.
I had my gall bladder removed in 2000 ~ the very painful attacks stopped, but I found I couldn't have any rich fatty foods or coffee without amazing heartburn. I also have pain in the area where my gall bladder used to be, I call it my gall bladder ghost pain.
Lucky for me, since I've started low carb... I've had NO heartburn AND I am eating fatty "rich" foods (no sugar or carbs or gluten) every day!

[pure_radiance]

DH found quite a few articles linking celiac disease and gallbladder problems. I wonder if that is the link of why some people still have terrible digestive issues after getting their gallbladder removed? If they are still eating gluten, they are still getting diarrhea.

Would be worth cutting out gluten for a few weeks and see if the diarrhea subsides.

Have a great day!

[kerrychad]

Originally Posted by kerrychad

Thanks! I'll look into that. That could be compounding my problems. I have a pretty amazing diet tho. If you have any other info I would greatly appreciate it. I have been looking into this for years. Cholacol from standard process has been life changing for me.

Thanks again!

Just looked up the tests they do and I have had them all but one and i passed them all. so that aint it.

[pchick]

Originally Posted by pure_radiance

DH found quite a few articles linking celiac disease and gallbladder problems. I wonder if that is the link of why some people still have terrible digestive issues after getting their gallbladder removed? If they are still eating gluten, they are still getting diarrhea.

Would be worth cutting out gluten for a few weeks and see if the diarrhea subsides.

Have a great day!

I stared a low carb diet, had been on it for two weeks before getting diagnosed gluten intolerant... so I have to cut all wheat, rye, barley, oats and all their by-products ~ doctor prescribed. Funny how things work sometime! Anyway, I also have a "leaky gut" from consuming gluten all these years... so cutting the carbs is literally saving my life right now!
Added bonus: I've lost a real 10 pounds now (almost 4 weeks) and since being gluten free I have new unfounded energy, my skin is clearing up, I'm not as bloated, and I'm not achy and sore all over all the time. Pretty great results for me!!

My diet is constantly changing as this is becoming a lifestyle for me. Currently my diet looks like:
B: 3 eggs scrambled in butter
L: 1 can tuna, 1Tbsp mayo, 1tsp mustard, 1 scallion, 1 cup raw spinach
S: 10 almonds/ 10 cherries
D: grilled salmon, 1/2c red lettuce, 1/2c raw spinach, lime juice, 1/2 c. cauliflower