Weight gain after gallbladder removed...

I was oposite I lost so much weight and couldnt keep it on for some reason, this went on for about 7 or 8 months and then it blanced out.

I forgot that I had posted this and quit using MFP for a while.. Thanks for all the replies! I have found that doing the low carb diet works for me!!

Also, I've seen a couple of people say "bump".. what does that mean?? )

"Bump" makes the thread go back to the first page of the My Topics posts. Glad you're on the low carb diet and it's working for you! Usually when people bump a thread, they want more people to discuss on the topic.

I find that gaining weight after gallbladder removal is pretty common. Just google it and see for yourself. I think that just using some logic can explain it. After the surgery, your doctor tells you to avoid fat. If you follow this advice then you automatically eat more carbs, probably sugar. This situation prooves that eating fat does not make you fat. Eating carbs (sugar) does. However, back to the problem at hand. Your liver constantly makes bile, it is just the storage that has been removed. So now it leaks into your guts and goes to waste. You can consume small amounts of fat with each meal and so put that bile to good use. Also, make sure that fats are good quality (none of these man-made stuff) like butter, olive or coconut oil, and stay away from sugar and processed carbs. Fruit and vegies are good. Hope it helps

Hi alowry25,

I am a Fitness Trainer and had my Gallbladder removed in march of 2012. I have not gained any weight, actually I have lost more body fat. I understand that prior to my gallbladder being removed my body fat was already low for a female (under 13) and I have always had a tone lean body. However, many people told me that I would gain weight, in fact some even seemed like they were and are still waiting for it to happen. My biggest issue was healing. Two days after my surgery I was rushed back to the hospital in an ambulance (lights and sirens blaring) and spent the next week in the hospital, intubated, and was even told at one point we were running out of time and that I was going to die........if they did not figure out how to fix my problem, I had an obstruction very high up and would not budge regardless of what they tried. My last hope was this shot I could get straight into my abdomen that had a great success rate but I had to go through nuclear x-rays over and over again to make sure I did not have any stones left in my intestines. If I did and they gave me this shot I could end up perforating my intestines and end up septic. Needless to say I got the shot and my life was saved by my amazing doctor, who isn't even a GI specialist just a genious and very caring doctor (LOVE THIS MAN! If anyone cares to know, and you are in Burbank, CA, his name is Dr. Bruce Stark. Look him up, he has a site, amazing man!).

Anyhow, my point is that the healing from the obstruction messed me up, and still I suffer from pain and nauseas and burning, but noe weight gain. I have had to make a few changes, and I have always eaten a low sugar, diet that is rich in raw and flash steamed veggies, comblex carbs, and lean protein. Plus the many amazing, all natural, non-toxic, sport, and healthy, high quality of life promoting supplements.

I would hate for anyone to think that all is lost after this surgery. I have also trained a women who was not in the shape I am in, in fact had a baby before and after she had her gallbladder removed, which left her with 70 pounds of pregnancy weight she had to lose, and she lost it.

Sometimes we don't realize the litle things that do matter, and that can assist you in your health goals.

If you have questions please feel free to email me at; freneticfitness@gmail.com. You can also find my bio and info on my website; freneticfitness.com, just so you know I am not someone acting as if I know. Besides, We have something in common, and although I have not suffered the same way, I have suffered, and have successfully trained someone back into shape post-gallbladder removal.

Hope this gives you some hope!

Diane Mohlman

Just an update. Thanks everyone. My weight-loss is steady now. About. A 1lb a week. I did a 21 day diet and sound out I have huge intolerances to gluten soy and dairy. All which cause bloating and dumping syndrome. I cut most of it out. I still haven't tried the ox bile yet. But exercise 2 hours a day 5-6 times a week and seeing changes and will be working towards certification in body flow through golds gym.

Hi all I know this is an old post but I've been searchibg high and low for answers and help with weight gain after having my gallbladder removed and this is the first time I've found people that understand what I'm going through! I feel so relieved just reading your stories. I had my gallbladder out about 10 months ago and since then I've put in about 20kgs! I've never had any trouble with my weight before. I've always found it really easy to stay thin and if I ever did put on a few kilos I could always drop them in a matey of weeks. I even had a baby and was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within a month! But since I've had my gallbladder out I've just stacked on the weight so fast no matter how I eat. I actually have a terrible eating pattern and only find the time to eat once or twice in a day so I cannot understand how I'm putting all this weight on and it has driven me into such a depression. I've lost all my self confidence and hate what my body has turned into. Along with the weight gain I've had terrible digestive problems ever since the operation. Every time I eat I am on the toilet within 30 minutes. And all my doctor has offered me in the way of medical advice is to take immodium once a day or a painkiller like codeine that causes constipation to show down the digestion. Not helpful!!
If anyone can please please tell me what I can do to get my life and body back I would be forever grateful!!

I had my gallbladder removed 25 years ago. I never really gave much thought to life without a gallbladder, as the doctors told me at that time that we can live without it - the liver still produces bile - and I was relieved to not have the pain I was having anymore, and was busy with life and raising a family.

I have had digestive issues pretty regularly that I just learned to live with - but I do get very gassy which is very embarrassing - and I have had a really hard time losing weight and keeping it off, which I attributed to my age - 56, and post-menopausal.

I recently started doing some research about living without a gallbladder and only then became aware that maybe - just maybe some of my problems could be attributed to not having a gallbladder.

I ordered a book from Amazon "The Gallbladder Survival Guide: How to live a normal life with a missing or dysfunctional gallbladder" by J. Bernal, that got great reviews from people stating much the same as has been posted on this thread. (I haven't received it yet). I bought some bile salts, but have not yet started taking them, as I want to try on the weekend in case I have some ill effects from it.

I am annoyed with myself for not putting two and two together years ago. But it's not too late, of course. I also want to add enzymes or probiotics or something but don't want to go overboard and take TOO many things. I'm waiting for the book to decide what, if any, advice to take from it.

Any suggestions about enzymes or probiotics?

Is Ox Bile better than Bile Salts? The same? Thanks.

Are you still losing weight via intermittent fasting and coconut oil? Also how did you find out the right macros for you and carbcycling. I'm very interested in this! Hope your weight loss is going well! Also I am STRUGGLING with weight loss it seems it just doesn't want to budge. Haven't lost a pound in a year! I eat super healthy (for the last four months) and workout 5-6/ day. I started doing HIIT as well. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

The small intestine is where food is further digested and nutrients are absorbed. It is an alkaline organ to which the gall bladder and pancreas injects enzymes to further this process along. It is possible that for you, without the addition of bile that this part of the process that your digestion is compromised. It may not sound intuitive, but improper digestion can have links with weight gain or weight loss, among other things. I would recommend reading about digestive enzymes and alkalinity (pH), then consult with a professional.

Nope. The gallbladder is just a storage place for bile that the liver makes. When your gallbladder is removed, the bile just goes right from the liver to the intestine for digestion.

Oh, and

Had gall bladder out August 2010. Have lost 20kg+ since then and kept it off. No problems at all :ohwell:

I'm having my gallbladder out on March 24, 2014. I'm a little nervous about gaining weight afterwards. I hadn't realized it would be a problem.

Hi there, hope your surgery went well cclivia5.

I had mine on Monday 24th February, just over a week ago.. Still recovering, very tired, sore when cough or sneeze or move suddenly but overall pain is gone and replaced by bloating and a feeling of discomfort..
Now for the hard part: diet changes!!

All help or diet suggestions would be greatly appreciated by any of you who have already gone through this.. I'm at sea with all the information out there.. Thanks!

Clemsontigerg, please tell me more about what you ate or didn't eat to lose so much weight in 2 weeks, so far I have only lost about 2lbs.. I was hoping to lose more and get on a super healthy diet.

Good luck o you fast_stacia on the surgery day.

Bump...getting ready to find out if I have to have mine removed or not. The "nice" doctor told me I fit the profile..The three F's......Fat...forty...and fertile! Really??? Now I am more s a red than ever that I won't be able to take my weight off. :sad: