Gall Bladder

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

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.

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.

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:

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!

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.

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?)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.