Trouble losing weight after gallbladder removal?

get10fit2013

I had mine out in October 2012 and once I was able to get back on solid food, I started immediately eating the way I was prior to surgery. Everything went straight through me and made me cramp and feel nauseated. I ended up being way sicker after surgery than I ever was beforehand, and ended up taking an additional week off work because I was experiencing chronic vomiting and diarrhea. (Sorry for being graphic, but I figure those of us reading this have no shame anymore since the surgery!) I actually lost 10 lbs in one week because I couldn't hold anything down but water and saltine crackers. After slowly introducing bland foods back into my diet, and adding low fat foods, I've done SO much better and I'm feeling great. I was at 229 the day of surgery, started the low fat thing probably in November, and in seven months I've lost around 25 lbs. Definitely slow, but I'm headed in the right direction so I'm happy with that. Don't get discouraged, it can happen. The only thing I've noticed that is really strange is that I'm losing a lot of my hair in the shower. I don't have bald spots or anything, but I can definitely tell it's thinning out. I had a hysterectomy at the same time, so it could be hormonal, or it could be because I'm not getting enough fat? Anyone else having this issue? My skin is extremely dry too. Please feel free to add me as a friend. I'm fairly new on here.

txgrl63

I had my gallbladder removed in 1995 and never had any trouble with losing weight. Unfortunately my problem lies in keeping the weight off! I lost 169 1/2 pounds in 1996-1998 only to gain it all back again. I totally changed my diet and joined a gym in 2009 and have lost a total of 216 pounds. (I gained some back and am in the process of re-losing it!) I'm currently at 191 pounds down. My body had trouble adjusting to losing my gallbladder, but I don't think it interfered with my weight loss. Like I mentioned, it's the maintaining weight loss that's an issue for me!

By the way, I count calories and exercise. I eat 1200 calories per day.

Hang in there. Discouragement leads to failure!!

Julieanna269

I'm so glad I found this thread, I was beginning to lose the plot. I had my gallbladder our in April 2012 and since then I've gained 18lbs. I joined MFP three weeks ago and have been sticking to 1200 a day and walking three times a week and haven't lost an ounce. I've even uped my calories to 1500 because I thought I may not be eating enough. I can't tolerate a lot of fat so am on a low fat diet anyway. Readying all the posts make me think that perhaps it is not having a gallbladder that is causing the slow start. I know some of you have said that if you eat less and exercise more your bound to lose but I'm starting to get a bit impatient and its good to know that I'm not alone.

Lalasharni

Try this - good comprehensive advice.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/297647-how-to-lose-weight-after-gallbladder-removal/

yellowsnowdrop

I had mine out at the end of May this year done as an emergency, had NO symptoms before the horrific pain that ended me up in hospital. i gained about 5lbs initially but that was due to the dependance on sugar (sweets, mainly Haribo's and Wine Gums) Have now cut all of that stuff out, don't drink alcohol and eat as low fat as possible and I've lost 4lbs in the last 2 weeks. I'm exercsing as hard as I can (walked 8 miles today) but have to agree it is a struggle.

Koldnomore

I had mine out 2 years ago and have been losing steadily without any problems. I don't 'work out, I eat normal food.. maybe people are trying too hard?

Try this - good comprehensive advice.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/297647-how-to-lose-weight-after-gallbladder-removal/

If you notice everything in this article is "to consume fewer calories".. Low fat = so you don't eat as many calories..more fiber = to stay full so you don't eat as many calories.. exercise = to burn calories..water = to bind with fiber so you feel full and eat less calories.. There's a pattern here.

hayaty86

You are not alone , trust me on this one, i am also experiencing the same problems in fact it has made me gain more weight even though i am undertaking heavy training to lose weight it seems im just stuck at the same weight i am doesn't go up or down now which is really fustrating me

sweetpea0508

Has anyone had any success w/ bile salt supplements? I had my gallblader out about 4 years ago and I have gained 40-50lbs over the last 4 years. It came on slow at first and now it seems to be creeping on quicker. I am 38 year old female. Not as active as I would like to be and should be. I am working to change that. I am looking into buying some ox bile... I have read some have had a little weight loss with initially, which would be encouraging to me. I drink a Vi shake every morning. It has helped a lot w/ the tummy troubles I typically have without my gallbladder, but it has not in a single way helped me lose weight. I have been drinking the shakes at least once a day since last July. If anyone has any ox bile advice or other supplements, please let me know. Thanks

gandydancer

Hi, I haven't tried the oxbile yet but am getting desperate also...You could try digestive enzymes which some have recommended and I have tried them also but they didn't help at all, in fact I wonder if they help with breaking food down and storing more, so not sure.....It is crazy but I understand what you are going thru my weight has gone up 12 pounds since this time last year and since I am doing the same thing and eating the same as then I can only surmise that the surgery is dooming in reference to weight gain and only wish some one out there knew something that would help....good luck let me know if you try them.

littlebutlean

Just me then? lol

Well, I never personally have had any trouble losing weight and I had mine taken out 3 years ago. Some people have digestive problems but I've never heard of weight loss issues.

gandydancer

You are definitely not alone there is such a pattern it is so depressing and I don't think there is anything that can be done, I think the surgery messes up your body function and for what ever reason everything you eat is getting stored as fat, that is the only thing that makes any sense.

RaggedyPond

Mine was taken out last year and no problems.

gandydancer

Not sure what you mean by trying to hard...You notice weight gain for no reason so then you must try to see why, when there isn't any reason for it it is very depressing....1200 calories per day and exercising can you only imagine what it would be if one were to eat more and not exercise?

Woodster83

I had mine out 5 yrs ago, and in the last two months I've started taking the digestive enzymes with ox bile at most meals, I feel that's its helped me, I still have issues with IBS type symptoms with my stools, but otherwise I feel better.

I've also been taking a lot of vitamin tablets.. Omega 3, b12, garlic, d3, probiotics, echinacea, iron, magnesium, sea kelp, glucosamine. Now, I have no idea if they are helping, but since eating better, taking the digestive enzymes and ox bile, plus the vitamins I feel great and have lost 1 stone in 2 months, slower than expected but I also eat well too.

My sister had hers out and she's had no digestion issues, she eats clean and does a lot of exercise this last year and has lost a ton of weight..

s1rens0ng

i had mine removed 6 yrs ago, i didnt have a problem with weight gain , i needed to gain it id lost 4 stone in 2 months because i could not eat because of it

2 year ago i had tried slimming world ,weight watchers and a couple of other well known diets which worked for my sisters who have always been over weight but didnt work on me. Diet chef did work ,basically low fat sodium and sugar plus portion sizes and calorie counting on here.. even though ive found out last week ive been fighting against the odds with an underactive thyroid it still worked.

Good luck

59chris59

My daughter has gain, in one month, 14lb after she had her gallbladder removed. Although was over weight before her operation, she was able to loose weight slowly when was on a diet.

5 weeks after the operation. she has been on a diet and exercising daily by walking 4-6 mikes, but the weight it not coming off. It is depressing her and is thinking she will just carry on gaining weight.

She has had an under active thyroid since 8yrs old and is 24 years old. I just can't think how to help her!!!

Any advice??

cyndikinnee

I had always done weight watchers until I had my gall bladder out. Then I discovered Low Carb (it was the late 90s) and it was delicious, satisfying and worked so well. How wonderful that all the fat didn't make me sick anymore! I'd say it became easier for me to lose. Have you tried low carb?

59chris59

My daughter has been doing high protein and no carbs for four weeks and lost one pound. Maybe she should try the fasting diet.

Fat2FiT74

I'm in the Army, work out 5days a week and I still gained weight after my surgery...nothing had changed in my life outside of the surgery. I was still eating good, exercising etc. After I failed a tape test (basically the Army said my belly was, too fat...urrgghh) I started looking for anything and everything to change in my life so I could start losing again. I saw the Army dietician here on post, as well as our unit Physician Assistant and nothing I implemented, diet or exercise worked. I struggled at this for about 6 months after failing my tape test.

I tried a couple of fat burners with no luck and spent like $40 to $50 for a month supply for each of them. Plus they gave me an upset stomach which wasn't cool.

A buddy of mine referred me to http://bit.ly/1uNgb1Z After I looked into the company more and realized the products are all natural, non-gmo, chemical free etc. I decided to give it a try. I bought the FightFighter for $39 for a month supply. I take it daily after dinner, and a month and a half later I've lost an average of 2lbs per week. Now granted I'm still working out and eating healthy but I'm back to my normal diet/exercise pre surgery. This is the only thing I've found to help me. I have since signed up for the company's loyal customer program that they have so I can get the same bottle for only $23.00. For me, to keep my job in the Army, and to end my weight loss frustration it's worth that small $23/mo price lol!! I'd be interested to know if anyone else is having luck on this stuff. Oh and it hasn't given me any negative side effects which is cool.