Gall Bladder

leeanneowens

I have had some gall bladder attacks over the past few months. I've been to the doctor and he told me that it is common with weight loss. I'm just curious. Has anyone else had gall bladder problems since losing a significant amount of weight?

leeanneowens

Bump

airangel59

I've heard the same thing & know people that have but so far, so good here on my journey.

seanezekiel

Mine is gone. I am of no help But not having one certainly hasnt done anything to my ability to lose weight that I can see/

crazy4fids

I have a friend that has lost close to 30 pounds and had to have her gall bladder out last month. It was full of stones.

brenna8806

In my one of my nursing classes, we learned that weight loss can cause gall bladder problems, but there's no definitive reason WHY that happens.

I had mine out, but without weight loss proceeding it. It just decided to go bad on me.

chillmcgren

i got gallstones after losing 55 pounds. didn't get my gallbladder removed, though. i discovered i didn't have any troubles if i avoided dairy.

shellylb52

Yes, back in 1991 I had lost 48 pounds following the weight watchers program. Back then all fat was evil so I barely ate any. I ended up having my gall bladder removed due to some big stones that wouldn't pass. The Doctor asked me if I had lost a lot of weight quickly. I thought he was physic LOL. I guess limiting fats from your diet is not a good idea. It has been a journey learning to diet and be healthy and I've learned a lot. :happy:

SanteMulberry

I have had some gall bladder attacks over the past few months. I've been to the doctor and he told me that it is common with weight loss. I'm just curious. Has anyone else had gall bladder problems since losing a significant amount of weight?

An absolute TON of women have--not sure about men. The first attack often follows weight loss after a pregnancy. :frown:

Tink_70

I lost 80 pounds because of my gall bladder and had to have it removed. Sorry no help here.

skinnygrlerica

In 2007 I lost 40 lbs and then had MASSIVE gall bladder problems. It got infected and had to have it removed. My biggest gall stone was the size of a cotton ball =( Good luck!

Goin4goal

At one time I went to Quick Weight Loss and lost 6 pounds in a week and began have gall bladder attacks due to gallstones. Had my gallbladder taken out and have been fine ever since. Later on, I found out that the diet they put you on can cause gallbladder problems.

UseItForFuel

Yes!

I had to have mine removed after I lost around 115 lbs. My Gallbladder had many small stones, no blockage of the bile duct though. (Thank goodness. )

I was around 18 when it was removed. The attacks were horrible, the surgery went well and the problem was fixed. I was back to working out in about 2 weeks.

raincloud

Losing weight can cause problems with the gallbladder. I had mine removed after losing weight fast.

ronrstaats

I am just the opposite. I used to have Gall Bladder attacks but they have stopped since losing the weight and doing Low Carb.

Why might the Gall Bladder act up losing weight? The Gall Bladder helps int he break down of fat. You go low fat diet and your Gall Bladder isn't producing the bile like it should . Then you eat something higher in fat than normal it has to work harder and could bring on an attack. On Low Carb you are eating a lot more fat so your Gall Bladder is always producing plenty of bile and working properly. (just a wild hunch?)

brenna8806

I am just the opposite. I used to have Gall Bladder attacks but they have stopped since losing the weight and doing Low Carb.

Why might the Gall Bladder act up losing weight? The Gall Bladder helps int he break down of fat. You go low fat diet and your Gall Bladder isn't producing the bile like it should . Then you eat something higher in fat than normal it has to work harder and could bring on an attack. On Low Carb you are eating a lot more fat so your Gall Bladder is always producing plenty of bile and working properly. (just a wild hunch?)

From what I understand, it can happen with weight loss even if you eat nutritiously and balanced.

That being said, obesity causes gall bladder issues as well. SOOO I guess it's one of those pesky organs we need to just evolve past. I think the same about the appendix. LOL

SanteMulberry

I am just the opposite. I used to have Gall Bladder attacks but they have stopped since losing the weight and doing Low Carb.

Why might the Gall Bladder act up losing weight? The Gall Bladder helps int he break down of fat. You go low fat diet and your Gall Bladder isn't producing the bile like it should . Then you eat something higher in fat than normal it has to work harder and could bring on an attack. On Low Carb you are eating a lot more fat so your Gall Bladder is always producing plenty of bile and working properly. (just a wild hunch?)

From what I understand, it can happen with weight loss even if you eat nutritiously and balanced.

That being said, obesity causes gall bladder issues as well. SOOO I guess it's one of those pesky organs we need to just evolve past. I think the same about the appendix. LOL

Actually, that is an old medical myth that the appendix is a "vestigial organ". They now know that the vermiform appendix is quite important for helping a baby to develop his/her immune system.

Here's where they are focusing research on the dieting/gall bladder connection (from about.com):


"...Researchers believe dieting may cause a shift in the balance of bile salts and cholesterol in the gallbladder. The cholesterol level is increased and the amount of bile salts is decreased. Going for long periods without eating (skipping breakfast, for example), a common practice among dieters, also may decrease gallbladder contractions. If the gallbladder does not contract often enough to empty out the bile, gallstones may form.

Are Some Weight Loss Methods Better Than Others in Preventing Gallstones?

Possibly. If substantial or rapid weight loss increases the risk of developing gallstones, more gradual weight loss would seem to lessen the risk of getting gallstones. However, studies are needed to test this theory..."

It appears that "slow and steady" will keep one healthier while dieting.

bizzyeck

Taken from http://www.quarterlife-health.com/?p=3521

The thought is that dieting shifts that balance of bile salts and cholesterol in the gallbladder. The cholesterol level goes up and the amount of bile salts goes down. Also, going for a long time without eating decreases the amount of times the gallbladder contracts so the bile stays in the gallbladder and gallstones may form.

Studies show that people who lose 9 to 22 pounds were 44% more likely to form gallstones than those who did not lose weight, but many of them did not show any symptoms. Obese people on very low-calorie diets (those that contain 800 calories or less) develop gallstones 10-25% of the time. Only 4-6% of these people have symptomatic gallstone during or shortly after rapid weight loss.

kar328

I have had some gall bladder attacks over the past few months. I've been to the doctor and he told me that it is common with weight loss. I'm just curious. Has anyone else had gall bladder problems since losing a significant amount of weight?

Years ago I was doing Weight Watchers and lost 51 lbs, averaging about 1.5 lbs a week. A few pounds from my goal weight I started having acute gallbladder attacks. The final one lasted six hours and sent me to the ER at 4 AM because one of the stones was stuck in my bile duct. I ended up having my gallbladder removed. It was full of stones.

Tanja_CHH

From personal experience, I got my gallstones when I had been dieting and then I stopped and the attacks came. Now they could have come either with the weightloss and I didnt know because I was eating healthy or they came when I started eating the junk again. :P

epie2098

I had lost 50lbs when I had one gall bladder attack that landed me in hospital overnight. I had an ultrasound in the morning, and my gallbladder was full of stones. I had emergency surgery to remove it. Since then, I've lost another 30lbs.

leeanneowens

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I had a really bad attack last night and had to have my husband take me to the emergency room. They did an ultra sound and said I have gallstones. The ER doctor has referred me to a surgeon.

astrampe

It is a common side effect of QUICK weight loss and very low calorie/very low fat diets....http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gallstones.htm

KandiKane13

I lost a lot of weight in a rapid amount of time in 2001, and BAM...gallbladder problems, had 3-4 attacks before I went to the doctors and she told me it was my gallbladder and what not to eat but never mentioned it was a result of my weight loss actually didnt find that out till yrs later when a friend mentioned it. I havent had an attack since 2003 :drinker:

MsKari02

Yes. Had to finally have mine out. Had a very bad attack and 3 weeks later they removed it. The surgery isn't that bad and you go home the same day. Don't suffer if you don't have to.

hookilau

I thought I was having gall bladder issues, turned out the pain was from a pissed off liver due to excess fat brought on by the diabetes I'd developed in the last 8 years or so...SURPRISE! :ohwell:

carplady

I started my MFP jpurney BECAUSE of my gallstone. I didn't know I had them until I had an attack and ended up in A & E end of January. I had a scan and have multiple stones, One is 2.2 cm's! My doctor advised my to cut down on fats and try and lose weight but to do it gradually. I'm losing on average 1 - 2 pounds a week and found it reletively ok with the support of this site. So far I have not had any further problems but have been warned I may need surgery in the future. An interesting fact I have heard from several people is the 5 "Fs" - Female, Forties, Fat, Fair & Fertile. If you tick all these you stand a good chance of having problems. The vast majority of the population have gall stones but don't know it.

leeanneowens

It is a common side effect of QUICK weight loss and very low calorie/very low fat diets....http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gallstones.htm

I've lost a total of 50 lbs including what I lost before joining MFP but it's taken me 10 months to lose it.

KandiKane13

I started my MFP jpurney BECAUSE of my gallstone. I didn't know I had them until I had an attack and ended up in A & E end of January. I had a scan and have multiple stones, One is 2.2 cm's! My doctor advised my to cut down on fats and try and lose weight but to do it gradually. I'm losing on average 1 - 2 pounds a week and found it reletively ok with the support of this site. So far I have not had any further problems but have been warned I may need surgery in the future. An interesting fact I have heard from several people is the 5 "Fs" - Female, Forties, Fat, Fair & Fertile. If you tick all these you stand a good chance of having problems. The vast majority of the population have gall stones but don't know it.

KandiKane13

I hit all five of the "f"s , had just turned 40, thats very interesting! I generally dont eat fried foods and didnt start eating lettuce until a few yrs ago but havent had grapes in 12yrs...LOL, they are the worst thing to eat with gallbladder problems.

carolyn000000

I too was having problems and my Gastroenterologist could never find any thing wrong. I ended up in the hospital with a blocked duct and had to have emergency surgery. Had the five F's too.