Gallbladder removal

MRC77

I had mine also removed due to stones, I was 14 when it was removed but I remember the pain was horrible when I would get the attacks.

MRC77

Sorry duplicate post.....

The_Wallflower

Oh yes. I had mine out 8 years ago and I have had stomach problems ever since!

ElizabethRoad

I have never had a problem. I had mine taken out last year and I don't even notice it's gone aside from the fact I feel SOOO much better with it gone (no pain).

You might have a chat with your doctor. I don't think what you're experience is normal or caused by gall bladder removal.

I don't know what you're basing this on other than your individual experience. This is a common effect of gallbladder removal, just seems to be much worse and longer-lasting in the OP's case.

macpatti

Just curious...

I had no idea having a gall bladder removed was so common. What causes it and what are the symptoms?

I was having nausea after eating and a feeling of something being stuck in my esophagus. They did an ultra sound, but found no stones. Thought it might be an ulcer. Did another test called a hida scan and found that my gall bladder wasn't functioning at all.

kstw

Gallbladder removal is one of the most common surgeries these days. Perhaps, in my opinion, it is the foods we are more prone to eat now. Mine had to be removed about a month ago. No problems with digestion issues (feel much better than before) but I did notice a problem eating simple salads for a while. Basically, a good healthy diet (which we all need anyway LOL) and eating three meals and a couple of in-between snacks a day are hfelpful. This is what I have adopted with MFP and will continue even after losing the rest of my weight. A side note: weight loss often triggers a gallbladder flareup IF you have a problem that hasn't shown up before. I learned this after mine began acting up two or three months ago.

tmm01

I had my gallbladder out in 2005. After it causing complications in both my pregnancies (2002 / 2005) During my second pregnancy they finally did a scan and found I had stones. On a diet of less than 3% fat it could control it, as I couldn't have surgery due to pregnancy. Stayed on this diet after the birth. 3 months later it flared up again - rushed into hospital and had it removed as an emergency. Not a great experience. Since then I can eat what I like (within moderation) but if I have eaten too much or anything with a high fat content, I need to be near the loo very soon afterwards. But hey, this instead of the pain - I'll go for this any day. And if the fat is coming straight out, at least it isn't staying in my system.

dippystick

Just curious...

I had no idea having a gall bladder removed was so common. What causes it and what are the symptoms?

I was having nausea after eating and a feeling of something being stuck in my esophagus. They did an ultra sound, but found no stones. Thought it might be an ulcer. Did another test called a hida scan and found that my gall bladder wasn't functioning at all.

This was me. I went to the hospital because everytime I ate I had to race to the bathroom with a bucket in my lap. Didn't need the bucket but sure felt like I would. I didn't feel sick, but because I had bowel issues for so long thought I might be getting dehydrated. Tried to wait till Monday but couldn't stand it any longer and went to ER on Sunday.

Was admitted dehydrated and for observation, put on clear liquids for 2 days. Felt fine, started full liquids and got sick again almost immediately. The nurse asked if I still had my gallbladder, yep. She told the Dr he ordered the x-ray with the dye. Yep, nothing got past the gall bladder. Take it out or play with it some more. I already used up my week needed to get short term disability, so just as well take it out now.

Was told after the surgery when they took out my gallbladder it just crumbled. There wasn't much left of it. Took me a while to figure out why I still run sometimes after I eat. Now I know, if I eat too much fat, I have to run. I don't want to repeat the before and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Eating high fiber and staying away from fried foods helps a lot.

macpatti

This Thanksgiving was my first big meal since my surgery in August, and it was not a good day! I now understand what it means to say your food "goes right through you". I'm going back to small meals, low in fat. Ugh.

ElizabethRoad

This Thanksgiving was my first big meal since my surgery in August, and it was not a good day! I now understand what it means to say your food "goes right through you". I'm going back to small meals, low in fat. Ugh.

I had mine out in June, and I still have some trouble if I try to eat a lot of fast food, or really large, high-fat meals, but I have adjusted pretty well to where I don't have to worry about fat content. Hopefully you will adjust as well!

acstansell

I had mine out in winter 2008. I had issues like you are describing for about the first year. Everything going through me, still getting upset stomach, phantom pain, bile dumps and all the other issues if I ate something that was way too fatty.

After about a year, it subsided a lot and now, since I've been on this diet, it's been really great - high fiber, more protein, lower fat... and I've not really had many issues.

My sister who also has had her gallbladder out is still having issues because her diet is horrible.

Eat more fiber, lower fat, higher protein, and leafy greens... it can help. And drink a lot of water to help flush the bile that get passed through to your small intestine now that you don't have a GB, the excess bile is what can cause this issue...

acstansell

Just curious...

I had no idea having a gall bladder removed was so common. What causes it and what are the symptoms?

Gallbladder issues are quite common around people who are heavier and often times more in women. It happens because when you eat fatty foods, your GB secretes bile to help your body break down fat and cholesterol. It can also store cholesterol in your GB...when you do that, the bile, cholesterol, and fat begin to calcify and create gallstones. Sometimes, it's not a problem - it becomes a problem when those stones begin to move and block the ducts that lead to your GB.

Pain can manifest in different ways... for me, it always began as sour stomach and then changed into intense pain in my upper right quadrant and under my shoulder blade. It would spread through my abdomen and last for about 4-8 hours. At its worst, it felt like I was having a heart attack. I had to call the EMT twice in 4 years because of an attack and not being able to breathe. It's horrible, but hard to narrow down because it can be as small as an upset stomach/heartburn, to as intense as what feels like a heart attack. Nothing really works to make the pain go away besides time and water if you can catch it early.

I had my surgery and they removed 2 stones, both the size of a dime. One was stuck in my bile duct opening. Very few people have complications, but to be honest, I did - I had a tear in my bile duct and had to be in the hospital for 3 days after coming home to recover while they put a metal stint in my duct and they monitored my progress. I was really sore for a longer period because of the stent.... but to be honest, I'd do it all over again in a second when compared to the pain I endured for 4 years.

Sorry for the tangent...

Shannonigans84

i've had my gallbladder removed for about 6 years now and they always told me that having loose stool and being very easy "flowing" would be a side effect but i fear it's had the opposite effect. I've been going less frequent and not so soft. I wonder if those military doctors took the wrong body part out.. lol sorry i couldn't help more.

This is me! I had mine removed almost 2 years ago at an Army hospital. I haven't had any problems, and wish it had made me more regular. I attribute needing mine out from genetics and gaining and losing the same 30lbs for years.

macpatti

I had mine out in June, and I still have some trouble if I try to eat a lot of fast food, or really large, high-fat meals, but I have adjusted pretty well to where I don't have to worry about fat content. Hopefully you will adjust as well!

I hope so. I've had that pressure in my chest since Thursday, similar to how I felt before the surgery. Good incentive to keep me from eating foods high in fat!

Meggles63

I had mine out 9 years ago when I was pregnant. The Dr. put me on Metamucil, and that really helped :happy: After a few months, it got better and I dropped the Metamucil. I do tend to eat less fatty foods and more fiber, and I"m sure that helped, too. By the way, I still get "ghost" pains in my left shoulder blade occasionally!

kristitampl

I had my gallblader removed Feb. 2002 and I have experienced the exact same effect. For years, I have missed so many events because not only is it uncomfortable, but sometimes embarrasing as well. It has taken me 9 years to find the solution...FIBER. Since I have been eating healthier, I have noticed a remarkable change with this problem. I am more comfortable with traveling and even going out with friends. So, to those of you with this problem, products like Metamucil or Benefiber. Benefiber works best because you can mix with any drink or take it as a tablet.