What happens after your gallbladder is gone?!

quelyd

Hi, I am on my day 5 post-operation after an emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. I have gallstones and my doctor decided to just remove the gallbladder instead of just taking out the stones. I have been doing my research since I got discharged from the hospital but, even as a nurse, it is never enough when it now concerns myself.

I will be honest, one of my worries is gaining back the weight I lost even before I started MFP as I have read that there are some weight gain issues after losing ones' gallbladder. I want to prepare for it and fight it head on. Another this is that will I be able to eat the same way again? For 5 days now I have only eaten jello, soup, cereals and crackers. And yes, right now I am wasting away because of it but I know it is not healthy either. How do you go back to eating regular foods? Do you just simply give it a try, see how it sits with you and just add it to the "never eat this" list if it doesn't?

I am just wondering if anyone has gone through the same procedure and if it is possible to share your experience with me, a month or six, or even a year down the road after the surgery.

missyme10

Hi, I had my gallbladder removed about 7 years ago. Prior to removal I was eating a diet very low in fat and like yourself I continued after removal for a short while. I then started to eat what I wanted, but I didn't go over the top at first. I kept portions small. Within 3 months I was eating just the same as I used to. There is nothing I can't eat, and it has had no impact on my weight after removal.

I too was worried at the time, but those worries were soon gone when I realised you can still eat what you want. I think you just have to take your time and not dive right in.

Alatariel75

I'm heading for a removal but not there yet, but I hear from family who have had them removed that you need to watch the fat intake afterwards, mostly because of heartburn or other gastrointestinal issues.

I've read up on it, because at the moment my gallbladder gives me awful heartburn and there are some really good medical resources on the net that go through it in detail.

lemur_lady

In for answers. I am meeting to talk with my surgeon about this on friday.

cbhubbybubble

Every person reacts differently, from what I understand. I had mine out about 3 years ago and have not noticed any difference in what I'm able to eat. If I put any weight on after, it wasn't significant and likely more from my continued bad diet and overeating than my gall bladder specifically.

I have a friend, however, that really has to watch her fats since having her gallbladder out. If she doesn't she needs a bathroom nearby.

quelyd

Thanks for the replies.

LynneW1983

Had mine out 2 weeks ago. I have had spicy food and fatty food both been fine. I have had a great recovery, been walking for an hour plus from 2 days post op. You won't know until you try. I have had no bathroom urgency after any foods. Good luck with your recovery. I have stayed within my calories and have not gained weight.

MichiganJen

My experience was the same as the other posters...mine came out 7 years ago after having my first child - which I then found out was pretty common! I had no issues with food, and I was able to lose 40 pounds doing the old diet and exercise thing.

Sadly, I was also able to find those 40 pounds again! But it's coming off again slowly but surely.

It sure is hard not to worry, though, isn't it? I went through the same thing with that and when I had my Thyroid removed. Just rememeber, WebMD is not always your friend!

littlelaura

I just had mine out April 11th so not even 2 weeks ago, had gall stones as well they removed entire gall bladder.
I was told it can take one to three months to get back to eating as you had. So far though less than 2 weeks post op I haven't had any issue with any foods after 5 days I began to eat regular foods in small portions, stick to lower fat, avoid high gas foods like broccoli for a while. I also have not heard of anyone gaining weight after, and every single woman in my family has had theirs out.
My daughter has lost weight as well. We both had gained with the gall stone because you have poison building up and bloating your body from the back up of bile and inflammation. I am now back on track and losing weight since surgery. Not sure your instructions my surgeon said other than walking, no cardio, no weights, no swimming (or baths just showers) for one month then I can resume as normal. Good luck to you on your recovery. I don't think you will gain weight from it, it wasn't working correctly to begin with and might of been the cause of your weight gain as my dr told me my stone has been in there 20 years so I should notice a lot of energy once I am back to 100%.

littlelaura

I will add though as far as my eating I haven't tried ALL the foods I am trying to lose weight so fried foods and super fatty things haven't been something I have tested because I am avoiding them for my health so I don't know if they would upset me to eat them.

archadtz

I had my gall bladder out almost 10 years ago. I haven't found weight loss or gain specifically related to the gull bladder. For me, personally though, I find if I eat anything with any fat (even coffee with cream) first thing in the morning (like before 9:30 am), I have to hit the bathroom post haste. Extremely greasy foods, like bacon, even in moderation, will upset my system. I just have to be mindful, and as you can see, everyone is different, so keep doing what you are comfortable with and you'll find what's right for you.

besaro

had mine removed in january with no problems. like others i was up and walking for an hour a day within days of my operation. off pain meds within same amount of time (saving them for later!!!! lol) I actually get to enjoy fats and fried foods MORE, since they dont give me massive pains afterwards anymore. I have never heard that stone removal was an option, but according to my surgeon, my gallbladder was super sick and within days of busting. poor gallbladder, i treated it really bad for 48 years and then i think the sudden weight loss really threw it for a loop. it was like huh? whats happening?

1princesswarrior

I had mine out several years ago and was not as lucky as most who responded but I also have IBS and had it before the surgery. So I had to avoid high fat foods, dairy and raw veggies for years or stay really really close to a bathroom. I didn't gain any weight though from the surgery or after the surgery. My surgeon and my GI doc said my bathroom issues were from the combination of the surgery and the IBS.

I have been able to slowly integrate those trigger foods back into my diet in the past two years and been fine. It's been over 10 years since my surgery.

Alidecker

I had my gallbadder removed 4 years ago and have not had any problems with what I can eat. I ate bland food for a couple weeks, but that was mostly just loss of appetite. I was back do light cardio after about 10 days and back to normal routine in the gym in about 4. I was actively losing weight at the time and didn't gain anthing back. I lost some in the week right after the surgery (it was when I hot my 100 pounds lost mark, very anti-climactic) and gained about half of those pounds back, but other than that, life as usual.

I was worried about eating spicy food, I read that people couldn't tolerate that as much, but I am still good

SnuggleSmacks

I had mine out about three years ago.

First, recovering from the surgery itself was pretty painful. Mine was laproscopic also, just 3 tiny incisions under my ribs and a larger incision in my navel. They apparently gave my poor navel a time of it, stretching it all all, so I had about 8 inches of purple and yellow bruise across my stomach for weeks. The incisions were worse, though. My doc told me that I was slower healing there because my abs were tight, so there was constant tension against the stitches. It took about a month for the pain to go away.

Second, I've never had a problem eating anything afterward. I will say that without a gallbladder to store bile, some people have problems with their liver dumping bile whenever they eat really greasy foods. This causes them to have to take a *kitten* pretty much immediately. I rarely had that problem, and it went away over time. Just be aware, and don't eat fried chicken on a picnic in the woods until you know how your body will react.

JacksonMomto3

I had my gallbladder taken out October of 2002, I was 22 years old, and had a 4 and 2 year old. I was deathly sick, in a matter of 4 months (first attack to surgery), I lost 30lbs from being that sick. Day of surgery I weighed in at 96lbs. I had a very swollen gallbladder and liver as they found during surgery, and I had A LOT of stones, including several in my bile ducts (which were also very swollen).

After surgery, it took about a year to recover completely, but I had complications during surgery, and was anemic, so it took awhile for my body to get back to what it was before my first attack.

Eating wise, I was on a low fat diet for a few weeks after surgery, and that was because my body needed to learn how to process fatty foods again, without a gallbladder. After that, I went on a regular diet. Now I will say, some foods...you will run to the bathroom within 20 mins, wondering if your going to make it or not. But for the most part, you can pretty much eat what you want, as you did before your gallbladder went bad. I do, from time to time, have phantom gallbladder attacks. It has gotten better throughout the years (the first couple of years, the pain brought me right back to when I had my gallbladder). Typically I know what triggers the phantom attacks now (when I get too hot or hungry) so I can fix it before the attacks happen.

In 2004, I got pregnant with our third child, I was 128lbs (I am 5'2), so I was at a healthy weight again. However, at my 6 week post appt, after he was born, I was 146lbs (I only gained 24lbs during my pregnancy). So I had only lost 6lbs after my son was born. I didn't overeat when I was pregnant with him, I exercised, I was busy with a 6 & 4 year old. So needless to say I was baffled, because I had lost all my pregnancy weight, plus some with my first two (pre-GB surgery).

I have read from others though, that gaining weight, post GB surgery is pretty normal. So is having a bloated stomach.

For the next 9-10 years I gradually gained weight. Granted I didnt exercise, so of course gaining weight is going to happen. So I dont completely blame not having a gallbladder on that, gaining weight is my own doing from lack of exercise.

Fast forward to present time. I am now 34 years old, my starting weight 2/24/14 was 175lbs. I cut out soda completely, lost 5lbs within a month. On 3/24/14 I started Focus T25 Alpha, I am on W5D4 on that (tomorrow is my last day on Alpha, then I move onto Beta for the next 5 weeks). I am having a rough time losing the weight (I am currently going back and forth between 167-170lbs), but have lost several inches in the process. Bloatiness in my stomach is still there, not as bad, but its a slow process. Eating wise, hasnt changed throughout the years, I can still pretty much eat whatever, but again, certain foods will trigger a run to the bathroom within 20 mins.

Thats pretty much my experience with having gallbladder surgery, hope that helped.

ncl1313

I had mine out two years ago, two weeks after giving birth. I had been on a liquid only diet for 4 days prior to surgery, and continued it for 2 days after. I lost like 15 pounds during that week, and of course gained it all back once I started eating actual food again. I did struggle with urgency issues at the beginning (and still do on occasion), usually if I had eaten a very large meal, particularily if it contained a large amount of fried food or fiber-rich food (raw veggies are still not my friend). I also used to consume quiet a few sugar-free sweetened items and not had a problem, but I do now. Everyone reacts differently, though.

As far as adding foods back, take it slow. Definitely stay away from very high-fat foods for the time being. You can gradually add them back in, but I wouldn't go out and eat a bucket of fried chicken right away. You kind of have to experiment. If a food makes you ill or immediately sends you to the bathroom, don't eat it for now and try again later in maybe a smaller quantity. Good luck and speedy recovery!

ETA: As far as the actual recovery, I had a difficult time, but probably because I was also still recovering from my c-section. The worst was the 3rd day. My chest was super tight, I felt very short of breath and bloated, just couldn't get comfortable. They told me that was because they fill your chest cavity with CO2 when they do a laproscopic removal and that's just it leaving. I also react badly to surgitape which they used instead of stitches, so I was very itchy around the tape sites. Plus the location of the incisions was not very comfortable for breastfeeding my newborn, but that was another issue all together.

Hannahhime

I had gallstones last October and had to have my gallbladder removed as well. I gained back 20 lbs but just recently I was able to shed the last little bit of it that I had left. Just be careful with exercise! Don't overdo it.

blondageh

I had mine out 20 yrs ago when I was just 15.. I too had lost too much weight too quickly, had stones, was pretty sick. I didn't notice any weight gain once it came out. I did have an upset stomach for years, but I thought it was because I ate lettuce or something. I was just young and never knew it might be because I didn't have a gallbladder. I to this DAY still get "gallbladder attacks" on occasion. Very painful. Tends to happen when I drink hard alcohol so it might be my liver or something but feels just like an attack. Sharp pain in the back that lasts about 20 minutes.

Oh and I will add..the WORST part about the recovery was the air as said above that they put in you. I got a pocket trapped in my shoulder. That was the worst part pain. Not the actual surgery pain.

lf4179

I had mine out the day before New Years and I have had no issues. I actually feel SOOOO much better since it came out but I will admit I was very nervous. The weight that I have lost so far shown in my ticker has all been since it came out. Probably slower than most but I am also hypothyroid. I will totally agree w/ the previous post though.... The worst part for me was the gas trapped in my body. My shoulder hurt so bad and it hurt to breathe. Doesn't sound like a big deal until you experience it. lol. That lasted about 2 days though and then I was ok. The surgery and incisions itself were no biggie.

Alidecker

I will totally agree w/ the previous post though.... The worst part for me was the gas trapped in my body. My shoulder hurt so bad and it hurt to breathe. Doesn't sound like a big deal until you experience it. lol. That lasted about 2 days though and then I was ok. The surgery and incisions itself were no biggie.

I had this also, I was very thankfully that they warned me of this or I would have freaked out and thought I had some other problem.

s_light

I had my gallbladder removed about 6 years ago and it did change how I had to eat. I can't eat most tomato based foods, pizza, spaghetti, etc. and I also can't eat chocolate without getting sick either.

I have a friend though that had he's gallbladder removed and he can't grapes.

It affects everyone differently.

Tanja_CHH

My best friend, her sister, her mum and her auntie had theirs out and have had NO problems.

I have however had quite a lot of trouble digesting food. If I have a raw vegetable salad I get terrible pains, and I struggle to digest a lot of "healthy foods" and I have developed IBS following my removal. I cant eat unhealthy food as they make me feel like poo as well, especially dairy.

However, protein works amazing for me. Chicken, steak, pork, lamb, eggs, all of it (besides dairy) digests perfectly and makes me feel good.

It will 100% affect people differently.

butterfly1445

I am looking at the possibility of having mine out soon, so I am glad you posted this and had so many responses. I am very nervous about it especially since I still don't know if it is happening yet. Getting the HIDA test in about two weeks.

DoctahJenn

I had mine out last summer. The surgery is super simple, and I was at karate just a week later, no problems.

The only real change in my diet is my stomach can't handle peanut butter. *grumble* My friend can't handle creamy salad dressings after having his out. But overall, I don't know anyone who's really had to change much.

palmerdanielle

Saving this to read, I'm getting mine out in about a month. I've heard mixed things, both my family doctor and the surgeon told me I'd be able to eat normal afterwards, but I'll probably re-introduce fatty foods slowly. And even if it doesn't get along with you right away your body may just need some time to adjust. For me, a lot of people in my family have had theirs out so it seems likely it's hereditary, but I'm sure my diet had a large contribution.

I was told the reason they take it out and don't just dissolve/break up the stones is because you'll just form new ones and you'd have to have a very strict diet. For now I'm just trying (not so successfully) to watch my fat intake. I've definitely noticed when it's really high I'm more likely to have an attack and they've progressively gotten worse so now I'm trying to be a bit more careful. I'm a bit worried about once it's gone, I'm hoping I can eat normal again but some people can't, most seem to be able to but everyone's different.

ETA: I don't know if maybe my weight loss has maybe contributed to me getting more stones or having the attacks as well, but I started getting the attacks around when I started losing weight but I guess there's not much to do about that and I'll probably never know for sure, but it's a good incentive to lose slowly.

lalee93

I had my gallbladder removed May 13, 2011. Everyone's eating patterns have to change in their own way. Fatty items are a problem for most, but some can't handle pork, or spicy food, or even lettuce. Personally, I think it is beneficial to try things and see how they sit on your stomach. For quite some time, I felt that what hurt me had no rhyme or reason, so I ate what I wanted. (I also used this to justify eating junk that I shouldn't have been putting into my body anyway, at least not on a regular basis.) In the last 3 months of changing my lifestyle, I have realized that an overload of fats (by fat I mean fried foods, not cheeses or foods rich in good fats) really messes with my stomach and causes me to run to the bathroom. I have also had some incidents that I had no idea what the cause was. Just be aware of where a bathroom is, and don't be shy about having to use it. Do your best to make all around healthy decisions, and be mindful of if anything in particular causes you an adverse reaction.

Good luck! You will get it figured out!

SnuggleSmacks

I will totally agree w/ the previous post though.... The worst part for me was the gas trapped in my body. My shoulder hurt so bad and it hurt to breathe. Doesn't sound like a big deal until you experience it. lol. That lasted about 2 days though and then I was ok. The surgery and incisions itself were no biggie.

I had this also, I was very thankfully that they warned me of this or I would have freaked out and thought I had some other problem.

Oddly, I did not have this problem at all with the gallbladder surgery, but I did with my tubal ligation. It was truly horrendous, like an ice pick sticking me in the lung every time I lay on my side for weeks. I think my gall bladder surgeon was better and more conscientious and took the time to squeeze out as much gas as possible. It made a huge difference.

jbee27

I will totally agree w/ the previous post though.... The worst part for me was the gas trapped in my body. My shoulder hurt so bad and it hurt to breathe. Doesn't sound like a big deal until you experience it. lol. That lasted about 2 days though and then I was ok. The surgery and incisions itself were no biggie.

I had this also, I was very thankfully that they warned me of this or I would have freaked out and thought I had some other problem.

I had this as well! My right shoulder ached for about a week following the surgery. Thank goodness my mom (who took care of me post-op) had read the pamphlets cover to cover and knew that this was a common side effect.

I had mine out in August of last year (2013), I've lost 30 pounds since my operation, no more difficult than I lost the 10ish before surgery. I was careful in the few months post-op to limit fatty foods, and gradually have reintroduced them. The only time that I have felt sick that I attribute to lack of gallbladder was a road-trip weekend with some friends where we ate a lot of fried and otherwise incredibly unhealthy foods.

mkghbrad

I had my gallbaldder removed in 2003 and have no problems with any fatty or spicy foods. Like other replies I have gained and lost wieght over the years but I contribute that to bad diet and lack of exercise rather than the surgery.

One thing I can't have any more though (and I miss it more than you can know) is a glass of wine!!!

the foods and drinks that are now off my list post-surgery are the more acidic ones - red wine went first but I was OK with white, a year or so later I couldn't even handle white wine but a glass of cider on a nice summers day was delicious, then cider jumped on the "no-no" bandwagon...grr.... I just get really bad pains as though the gall baldder and stone is still there.

For anyone out there now worried about me and my teetotal lifestyle, I can still drink vodka without any after effects. the problem is that it isn't socially acceptable to order a vodka whilst out on a midweek lunch with the girls, or to share a bottle with OH on a Friday after a hard week at work.

Too many fresh tomatoes don't sit well either, but funnily I miss them less!!! :-)

quelyd

Oh and I will add..the WORST part about the recovery was the air as said above that they put in you. I got a pocket trapped in my shoulder. That was the worst part pain. Not the actual surgery pain.

Thanks for this!!! I have been feeling it on my right shoulder and was worried about it.