Anyone had their gallbladder removed after weightloss?

sistertransister

I have been having some pain and discomfort now for almost a month. I went to the doctor today and have been diagnosed with gallstones and the recommendation is to have my gallbladder removed.

The doctor feels that my recent pregnancy and weight loss have caused problems for gallstones that were most likely preexisting.

Would love to hear any feedback from anyone who has experienced this..

Thank you for your time!

lizziebeth1028

I don't exactly fall into this category but I had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago. The Doctor told me that my gallstones could be hereditary (my Mom has problems) and aggravated by diet (dairy products especially). But I have also heard that pregnancy and changes in your diet can cause or aggravate existing stones. I don't know if you've had any real painful attacks yet but mine were enough to bring me to my knees! Horrible. So glad i had the surgery!!! So worth it!

Maggie_Pie1

Yes. I had gallstones and the pain is horrible. I even passed out one day from the pain. Get the surgery - don't put it off for two long.

kmbrooks15

I'm right in the middle of dealing with this myself. My doctor wants to do an endoscopy because I've had some previous trouble with a hiatal hernia and acid reflux, so he wants to check and make sure there's nothing else causing or contributing to my symptoms. But most likely my gallbladder will have to come out.

lizziebeth1028

Yes. I had gallstones and the pain is horrible. I even passed out one day from the pain. Get the surgery - don't put it off for two long.

Amen! I can so relate! I've passed out too from the pain! If your gallbladder is determined to be diseased, get it removed. I had mine done laprascopy (totally spelled that wrong) but you can go home the same day. I was sore for a day or two but by the time a week had passed I was on the treadmill walking!

LilMissFoodie

I haven't had any problems myself but it is well documented that low calorie diets (and in particular very low calorie diets - not that I'm accusing you of anything!) can be associated with gallstones so it could be the weight loss.

Louise12

Oooh I'm so glad you posted this.. I developed gallstones a few years back when I wasn't eating properly and on a ridiculously low cal diet ( silly I know) anyways the docs said I developed gall stones as I wasn't getting the proper nutrients my body needs. Anyways the pain is awful and everything ( unless it was plain food) aggravated my gall bladder. I got my taken our in the end- thank goodness. I hope you get sorted out quickly x

violon

I lost around 35 lbs in 2002 and had my gallbladder removed in 2006. the weight loss probably contributed--gallbladder problems don't run in my family and I was only 21 when I had it out.

havalinaaa

I haven't had mine removed, but I have passed sludge - which was pretty painful. If I have another flair up I'm totally having the surgery. Unfortunately as an uninsured person I just can't afford to have it unless it's a major problem. My doctor told me diet definitely plays a role in gallbladder issues and that losing weight can put a strain on your system, your body adjusting to the new calories even if you have a healthy diet.

tammihart

About 10 years ago my mother lost 100+ lbs and had to have her gallbladder removed. She would be fine and would have sudden pain that doubled her over. She had surgery and has put the weight back on by her own fault nothing to with the gallbladder problems.

Tuffjourney

I had mine removed this March after losing 50lbs in 5 months. They said it was related to the weightloss. But, no problem having the procedure. Dont worry.

RNMDFF

I am having mine removed soon. I had problems before I started losing weight this time. Low cal diets can cause them. I was told to go on a low fat diet and lose weight to help it, but if you do it too fast it can cause more problems

macpatti

I had my gallbladder removed this past August. It wasn't because of weight loss or gallstones, but because of a non-functioning gallbladder. I was told there would be a host of things I could no longer eat, but I'm really only having problems with red meat.

SueInAz

I had mine out in December but I never passed stones or anything else that was painful. Instead, I had a stone that was about an inch in diameter. We first found it in 2005 during an ultrasound for a different issue. Since the stone was never going to pass on its own, it was slowly getting larger, and my grandmother had her gallbladder burst in her 60s, it was decided that I should have it removed.

I've certainly done my share of dieting through the years, and was probably a chronic under-eater for awhile, but that being a probable cause was never even mentioned to me by any of my doctors.

sistertransister

thank you everyone for chiming in and giving your feedback! i appreciate it so much! i am not as concerned as i was after getting this news earlier today. especially excited to hear that i may be able to be back on the treadmill pretty quickly! don't want to get behind! thanks again!

geminigirl1979

I went in Tuesday for an ultrasound due to recurring severe stomach pain. The doctor felt that it was likely my gall bladder. I am awaiting results from the ultrasound. I can't believe how many people have had issues... I haven't lost a lot of weight at all, maybe 10 pounds in 6 months. I definitely realize the pain occurs though on days I eat dairy or foods high in fat.

Tegan74

My daughter dropped 75 lbs, 30 of that over 3 months and killed her gallbladder. Hers was at 3% function. We were told that sudden rapid weight loss could be the reason it stopped working, and that it wouldnt recover since it was at such a low function (the implication was that if there was more function it might recover on its own. I'd never even considered it would/could fix its self)
She didnt lose weight on purpose, she had mono and that started the weight loss (and scared me silly) once her gallbladder died she continued to lose weight due to issues with eating. When we talked to the dr prior to surgery we were informed that since her gallbladder wasnt working she shouldnt have issues with any foods after the surgery, unlike those with gallstones ~ even with gallstones your gallbladder still 'works' it just hurts like a mother when you eat the 'wrong" thing.

For the poster that said they dont have insurance, look into hospitals and such to see if you can find a program to help you. Might not be an ideal solution to you, but gallstones can cause infection. A planned out patient surgery will cost alot less than emergency surgery that requires a hospital stay. I've heard horror stories about people waiting to long to have this surgery. From people I know, not online, so yes they were true. That includes the man who had gangrene by the time he went in for surgery. I also know personally 2 people that had problems with their pancreas because of gallstones. They ended up staying in the hospital after surgery because of those issues.

SueInAz

For the poster that said they dont have insurance, look into hospitals and such to see if you can find a program to help you. Might not be an ideal solution to you, but gallstones can cause infection. A planned out patient surgery will cost alot less than emergency surgery that requires a hospital stay. I've heard horror stories about people waiting to long to have this surgery. From people I know, not online, so yes they were true. That includes the man who had gangrene by the time he went in for surgery. I also know personally 2 people that had problems with their pancreas because of gallstones. They ended up staying in the hospital after surgery because of those issues.

I'd have to second this. Planned gall bladder surgery is done laparoscopically. It's outpatient surgery and recovery is quick. I was back to work full time within a few days and, while I wasn't yet working out hard at this point in my life, I was able to do my normal activities within two weeks, with stomach area movements being last on the list. :laugh:

I'd definitely look into options for doing this now rather than waiting until it's an emergency.

kmbrooks15

My doctor said a number of things contribute to gallbladder issues, including obesity, weight loss (usually has to be rapid, though), birth control pills. There were others, but these are the ones that probably impacted mine. I have sludge and a dilated bile duct, so no gallstones yet, but sludge can be a precursor to gallstones. I'm ready to get it out and be done with it!

ElizabethRoad

I was told there would be a host of things I could no longer eat

Really? Of all the people I know who have had this done, I don't know of any with restrictions on what they can eat. When I had mine out they told me that most people adjust within 6 months and can eat what they want.

lizziebeth1028

I was told there would be a host of things I could no longer eat

Really? Of all the people I know who have had this done, I don't know of any with restrictions on what they can eat. When I had mine out they told me that most people adjust within 6 months and can eat what they want.

Although it's true that some people may have some digestive problems after gallbladder removal and have to watch with certain foods - high fat and diary to name a few, many other people have know ill effects at all after surgery and thier body adjusts to the change with no problem. I know that I haven't had any problems post surgery. And over all even if you do wind up having some digestive issues it is nothing compared to a full blown gallbladder attack. Not too mention leaving diseased organ in your body and cause infection and serious problems down the road.

jennysmission

I also had mine out about 10 years ago after having a baby and possible weight loss not sure mine wasnt gall stones my bile duct was almost completly shut off!

I will say they never told me I could have problem after but I do..its a small % of people but I think its called dumping syndrome. LEts just say I wont let anyone drive I have to be in control of the car especially if we are going to eat some where!. Its not always and one day something could affect me and then have the same thing the next day and it do nothing...its really a pain the butt but that being said. For almost all people you have no choice, if you wait to long you can have a lot of problems caused by this especially be in a lot of pain!! Its def worth it in the long run!!

goelvira

I was told there would be a host of things I could no longer eat

Really? Of all the people I know who have had this done, I don't know of any with restrictions on what they can eat. When I had mine out they told me that most people adjust within 6 months and can eat what they want.

I became lactose intolerant after mine was taken out a few years ago.. :-(

macpatti

I was told there would be a host of things I could no longer eat

Really? Of all the people I know who have had this done, I don't know of any with restrictions on what they can eat. When I had mine out they told me that most people adjust within 6 months and can eat what they want.

Yes, I was told to maintain a low fat diet because fatty foods would be harder to digest. I know several people who still have food go right through them, but that only happens to me with red meat.

havalinaaa

For the poster that said they dont have insurance, look into hospitals and such to see if you can find a program to help you. Might not be an ideal solution to you, but gallstones can cause infection. A planned out patient surgery will cost alot less than emergency surgery that requires a hospital stay. I've heard horror stories about people waiting to long to have this surgery. From people I know, not online, so yes they were true. That includes the man who had gangrene by the time he went in for surgery. I also know personally 2 people that had problems with their pancreas because of gallstones. They ended up staying in the hospital after surgery because of those issues.

I'd have to second this. Planned gall bladder surgery is done laparoscopically. It's outpatient surgery and recovery is quick. I was back to work full time within a few days and, while I wasn't yet working out hard at this point in my life, I was able to do my normal activities within two weeks, with stomach area movements being last on the list. :laugh:

I'd definitely look into options for doing this now rather than waiting until it's an emergency.

I appreciate the concern and the tips. My doctor said that since I only had sludge and was so young when I had it (27), if I am careful with my diet it might not be an issue again. He said if I have another problem, even a small one, then I should really get the surgery. So I'm just following his recommendations, watching my fat intake and keeping the weight loss slow.

I hadn't thought about it until just now, but that was a time in my life when I was eating a lot of dairy , mostly in the form of ice cream, which isn't something I normally do. I wonder how much that had to do with the problem after hearing everyone else say dairy made their problems worse.

Shannonigans84

I had mine out when I was 25.. I think a combo of gaining and losing the same 30lbs, a pregnancy, possibly Yaz (birth control) and my mom having hers out did me in. It was no big deal, I was fine right after, minimal pain and no side effects. I don't even realize it's gone. Thankful for the attacks to be gone, ouch! The Dr said eating high fat foods would cause digestion problems but I don't experience that.

SueInAz

I was told there would be a host of things I could no longer eat

Really? Of all the people I know who have had this done, I don't know of any with restrictions on what they can eat. When I had mine out they told me that most people adjust within 6 months and can eat what they want.

Yes, I was told to maintain a low fat diet because fatty foods would be harder to digest. I know several people who still have food go right through them, but that only happens to me with red meat.

Avert your eyes if you can't handle TMI.

I haven't been able to find a specific food that exacerbates my issues but my chronic diarrhea is definitely worse after the surgery. I've been keeping my fiber really low (harder than it sounds!), which appears to be helping some. At different times this year I've tried a very low fat diet, cutting out dairy, cutting out wheat, cutting out meat, etc. None of it seems to make any difference beyond the fiber. It's definitely been longer than 6 months so things didn't "go back to normal" for me at all.

ImNotStarving

I ended up getting my gallbladder removed after a lot of weight loss in a short period of time. The pain was soo bad. I had been experiencing pain here and there for months, but blamed it on indigestion or gas until it got to be unbearable. I was also jaundiced by the time I ended up going to the ER thinking I was dying. Had the surgery the following day, and all was well a couple days later.

ImNotStarving

I had mine out when I was 25.. I think a combo of gaining and losing the same 30lbs, a pregnancy, possibly Yaz (birth control) and my mom having hers out did me in. It was no big deal, I was fine right after, minimal pain and no side effects. I don't even realize it's gone. Thankful for the attacks to be gone, ouch! The Dr said eating high fat foods would cause digestion problems but I don't experience that.

I don't experience any problems with anything I eat either.

macpatti

I was told there would be a host of things I could no longer eat

Really? Of all the people I know who have had this done, I don't know of any with restrictions on what they can eat. When I had mine out they told me that most people adjust within 6 months and can eat what they want.

Yes, I was told to maintain a low fat diet because fatty foods would be harder to digest. I know several people who still have food go right through them, but that only happens to me with red meat.

Avert your eyes if you can't handle TMI.

I haven't been able to find a specific food that exacerbates my issues but my chronic diarrhea is definitely worse after the surgery. I've been keeping my fiber really low (harder than it sounds!), which appears to be helping some. At different times this year I've tried a very low fat diet, cutting out dairy, cutting out wheat, cutting out meat, etc. None of it seems to make any difference beyond the fiber. It's definitely been longer than 6 months so things didn't "go back to normal" for me at all.

That's exactly what I heard from many people. I was really worried (not so worried that I wouldn't have the surgery, though). I hope you get back to normal soon!

jayliospecky

I had mine out when I was about 21 years old. I had lost about 85 pounds maybe, but at a healthy rate. Being overweight alone I thought contributed to the risk of gallstones. Anyways, the surgery was not too bad, as surgeries go. I have not had any major problems since. I sometimes have some stomach upset if I eat some very greasy fried foods, but it is not anywhere close to the pain I used to have with gallbladder attacks. My husband can vouch for that, he remembers me writhing in pain on the floor very clearly. The worst I have now is occasional diarrhea or some stomach cramps, but again, it's usually after a really high-fat meal, so it just further reinforces how much better it is for me to eat healthier foods, anyways!