Worried-Rapid Weight Loss after Gallbladder Removal

iamladygusta
iamladygusta Posts: 42
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there,
I'm 26/F and have been working on losing weight since June. I've averaged 2-3 lbs per week until recently. I am using a program in which I limit my daily intake to 1675 calories. A month ago I had emergency gallbladder removal surgery (my liver tests were high which indicated infection). The pain under my right rib cage hasn't really ever gone away, my liver tests are still high but lower than right before surgery, and I'm very tired (more so now than before surgery). For two weeks now the pain has been intense if I eat. I also have nausea (no vomiting) and diarrhea which started two weeks ago as well. I've lost almost 10 lbs in two weeks. I force myself to keep drinking water so I don't get dehydrated (64-80 ounces daily). I also have been watching fat intake-I average anywhere between 15-40 grams of fat daily. According to the surgeon what I am experiencing is normal. Any suggestions to help? I'm miserable.

SW-331
CW-301
GW-160
5'10"

Replies

  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Please contact your doctor and make them aware of what is going on. You need to see a doctor asap.
  • iamladygusta
    iamladygusta Posts: 42
    I've been to my primary care physician, the surgeon and the ER. They say it is all normal. I'm really frustrated!!
  • iamladygusta
    iamladygusta Posts: 42
    Please contact your doctor and make them aware of what is going on. You need to see a doctor asap.

    I've been to my primary care physician, the surgeon and the ER. They say it is all normal. I'm really frustrated!!
  • andielyn
    andielyn Posts: 233 Member
    Have you been to a gastroenterologist (GI doctor?) May be time for that. General surgeons, ER doctors and family doctors may not have as much insight as a GI doc or liver doctor (your gall bladder is part of your liver/biliary tract.)

    Bile, which is aids in digestion, is stored in the gall bladder then released when you eat, and optimizes digestion. Without a gall bladder you can have upset and fats are not digested as well. But if it were me I'd like more answers about the pain and the liver function tests remaining high, rapid weight loss and fatigue. If possible go to a teaching hospital. Just my opinion, for what it's worth. :) Good luck. You know your body--listen to it.
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    I had my gallbladder removed for gallstones, and this was not my experience at all, nor the experience of any of the people I know or have read about. Was your surgery laproscopic, or did they have to open you up? Mine was laproscopic, so I had 3 tiny incisions below my right ribs in a line, and one larger incision in my navel. The navel is where the gallbladder is actually removed, so it experiences a good deal of trauma, and mine was ringed by a good 3 or 4 inches of bruises for several weeks. The smaller incisions along the right side are where the instruments go in. They're tiny, but also painful since they go through the abdominal muscles. However, they should not cause the sort of pain you're describing. Mine hurt for over a month because my abs are tight, but the pain was obviously from the ab muscles, and there was no nausea.

    If your surgery wasn't laproscopic, that might explain the additional pain and side effects...was it?

    ETA: Also, many people experience stomach upset and diarrhea or sudden urgency to go after eating fatty meals when the gallbladder is removed. Could this be part of the problem?
  • shellyau01
    shellyau01 Posts: 3 Member
    I had gallbladder removed and still had episodes "attacks" for a long period after.
    I had to have further surgery made in the base of the bile duct before the pain and symptoms went away.
    with the gallbladder gone - the liver still releases bile but as it is no longer being concentrated - it is released in bulk. if there is any remaining stones etc. "stuck" in the bile duct - this would explain your symptoms.

    seek an specialist referral - they were able to confirm with additional tests and a camera down my throat. made a big difference. you know what is normal for you - doctors rely on textbooks and for those of us that don't fall into those nice little packages it can sometimes be very frustrating getting someone to listen.

    In the mean time reduce as much FAT and ACID out of your diet - Acidic / Spicy foods also make it worse......
    If you can handle a very bland diet for a couple of weeks - this will help your system settle down.

    Good Luck.
  • greenbeanmama
    greenbeanmama Posts: 12 Member
    I had my gallbladder out six weeks postpartum. Then I started having what felt like gall bladder attacks again, and was very queasy all the time. I started vomiting about 6-8 times a day, but the surgeon felt that it wasn't related to surgery - I probably had "an ulcer or was in denial about bulemia". Three weeks (and 12 less pounds) later, I ended up in the ER, jaundiced, dehydrated, and needing ERCP surgery to clear out all the sludge and stones that were blocking the common bile duct. If the surgeon had treated my symptoms more seriously, it wouldn't have had to be emergency surgery on a holiday weekend, with emergency care for my newborn. The whole thing was a mess. Once the second surgery was done, the recovery took a couple of weeks, but I could tell I was getting progressively better.

    I think you need to make a pest out of yourself - don't be quiet or back down until they figure out what is going on. Things could go downhill very quickly.
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    If the bile duct is blocked by an errant leftover stone that was in the passageway already when they removed the gallbladder, that can turn into a deadly emergency super quick. Gallstones can often be seen on ultrasound, and that's a relatively inexpensive test. There's no excuse for them not checking since you continue to have symptoms.
  • Aemely
    Aemely Posts: 694 Member
    If the bile duct is blocked by an errant leftover stone that was in the passageway already when they removed the gallbladder, that can turn into a deadly emergency super quick. Gallstones can often be seen on ultrasound, and that's a relatively inexpensive test. There's no excuse for them not checking since you continue to have symptoms.

    These ladies have sound advice. Make them do an ultrasound. Get a second opinion at another respected, in-network doctor if your doctor isn't listening to you.
  • jacqueline7599
    jacqueline7599 Posts: 159 Member
    Had mine out in 2006. I still have to find a bathroom immediately at time. Especially if I eat bacon or a spaghetti type sauce. Mine isn't as bad as it use to be but still at least once a week. I was on a drink that helped a ton. I drank it first thing in morning with oj. Dr prescribed it. That helped a lot. I had a pain under my ribs for about a month after. Told it was the gases from surgery. It went away.
  • iamladygusta
    iamladygusta Posts: 42
    If the bile duct is blocked by an errant leftover stone that was in the passageway already when they removed the gallbladder, that can turn into a deadly emergency super quick. Gallstones can often be seen on ultrasound, and that's a relatively inexpensive test. There's no excuse for them not checking since you continue to have symptoms.

    They did a CT scan and didn't find anything. I read that that type of a scan can miss stones though. I'll ask for an ultrasound.
  • iamladygusta
    iamladygusta Posts: 42
    I had my gallbladder removed for gallstones, and this was not my experience at all, nor the experience of any of the people I know or have read about. Was your surgery laproscopic, or did they have to open you up? Mine was laproscopic, so I had 3 tiny incisions below my right ribs in a line, and one larger incision in my navel. The navel is where the gallbladder is actually removed, so it experiences a good deal of trauma, and mine was ringed by a good 3 or 4 inches of bruises for several weeks. The smaller incisions along the right side are where the instruments go in. They're tiny, but also painful since they go through the abdominal muscles. However, they should not cause the sort of pain you're describing. Mine hurt for over a month because my abs are tight, but the pain was obviously from the ab muscles, and there was no nausea.

    If your surgery wasn't laproscopic, that might explain the additional pain and side effects...was it?

    ETA: Also, many people experience stomach upset and diarrhea or sudden urgency to go after eating fatty meals when the gallbladder is removed. Could this be part of the problem?

    It was laparoscopic. I've had three other laparoscopic surgeries for endometriosis and this isn't the normal incision pain.
    I'm not sure about the fat. I had less than 15 grams of fat for 3 days straight and still had diarrhea.
  • iamladygusta
    iamladygusta Posts: 42
    I had my gallbladder out six weeks postpartum. Then I started having what felt like gall bladder attacks again, and was very queasy all the time. I started vomiting about 6-8 times a day, but the surgeon felt that it wasn't related to surgery - I probably had "an ulcer or was in denial about bulemia". Three weeks (and 12 less pounds) later, I ended up in the ER, jaundiced, dehydrated, and needing ERCP surgery to clear out all the sludge and stones that were blocking the common bile duct. If the surgeon had treated my symptoms more seriously, it wouldn't have had to be emergency surgery on a holiday weekend, with emergency care for my newborn. The whole thing was a mess. Once the second surgery was done, the recovery took a couple of weeks, but I could tell I was getting progressively better.

    I think you need to make a pest out of yourself - don't be quiet or back down until they figure out what is going on. Things could go downhill very quickly.

    That's horrible! Sorry you had to go through that. My primary care doc said if it persists past 4 weeks then we'd re-examine. I'm going to call my GI as well.
  • iamladygusta
    iamladygusta Posts: 42
    Have you been to a gastroenterologist (GI doctor?) May be time for that. General surgeons, ER doctors and family doctors may not have as much insight as a GI doc or liver doctor (your gall bladder is part of your liver/biliary tract.)

    Bile, which is aids in digestion, is stored in the gall bladder then released when you eat, and optimizes digestion. Without a gall bladder you can have upset and fats are not digested as well. But if it were me I'd like more answers about the pain and the liver function tests remaining high, rapid weight loss and fatigue. If possible go to a teaching hospital. Just my opinion, for what it's worth. :) Good luck. You know your body--listen to it.

    I have been to a GI. Actually I had him examine and do a colonoscopy a couple months ago because I was so constipated. They thought I had IBS-Constipation. Having my gallbladder removed fixed that problem-I was having regular BM's before the diarrhea set it in--Which was a huge relief. I'll give my GI a call tomorrow. Thank you :)
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    I had my gallbladder removed for gallstones, and this was not my experience at all, nor the experience of any of the people I know or have read about. Was your surgery laproscopic, or did they have to open you up? Mine was laproscopic, so I had 3 tiny incisions below my right ribs in a line, and one larger incision in my navel. The navel is where the gallbladder is actually removed, so it experiences a good deal of trauma, and mine was ringed by a good 3 or 4 inches of bruises for several weeks. The smaller incisions along the right side are where the instruments go in. They're tiny, but also painful since they go through the abdominal muscles. However, they should not cause the sort of pain you're describing. Mine hurt for over a month because my abs are tight, but the pain was obviously from the ab muscles, and there was no nausea.

    If your surgery wasn't laproscopic, that might explain the additional pain and side effects...was it?

    ETA: Also, many people experience stomach upset and diarrhea or sudden urgency to go after eating fatty meals when the gallbladder is removed. Could this be part of the problem?

    It was laparoscopic. I've had three other laparoscopic surgeries for endometriosis and this isn't the normal incision pain.
    I'm not sure about the fat. I had less than 15 grams of fat for 3 days straight and still had diarrhea.

    During laproscopic surgery, the abdomen is inflated with gas so the instruments can move around without bumping organs. Often it's difficult for the doc to get all the gas back out, and it's quite painful afterward as it moves through the body to escape, usually up through the right side to the shoulder. It can feel like a very sharp piercing pain in the lungs when you lie down for weeks, and then a sharp gassy pain the in the shoulder for about another week, and then it's gone. I couldn't sleep on my right side for about 2 months after my tubal ligation. Those gasses could be part of the problem, and part of what's causing your pain, but it's doubtful that it would cause nausea.

    It can take your digestive system time to adapt to the lack of a gallbladder. As has been explained, there's no longer a staging area for bile, which breaks down fats, so when you eat, your liver is dumping bile directly to your stomach, and that can cause considerable upset and having to poop immediately. I haven't heard of it making anyone nauseated, but I guess it's possible.

    In other words, don't panic, but you know your own body better than your doc. Consider these and the other explanations you've received here, and if they don't alleviate your fears, then don't take no for an answer with the doctors. Essentially, they work for you. If you have a valid reason to request a test, there's absolutely no excuse for them not giving it to you.
  • jacqueline7599
    jacqueline7599 Posts: 159 Member
    Exactly. That's why my pain was in my ribs for awhile. It was the gas. Also in my shoulders
    I had my gallbladder removed for gallstones, and this was not my experience at all, nor the experience of any of the people I know or have read about. Was your surgery laproscopic, or did they have to open you up? Mine was laproscopic, so I had 3 tiny incisions below my right ribs in a line, and one larger incision in my navel. The navel is where the gallbladder is actually removed, so it experiences a good deal of trauma, and mine was ringed by a good 3 or 4 inches of bruises for several weeks. The smaller incisions along the right side are where the instruments go in. They're tiny, but also painful since they go through the abdominal muscles. However, they should not cause the sort of pain you're describing. Mine hurt for over a month because my abs are tight, but the pain was obviously from the ab muscles, and there was no nausea.

    If your surgery wasn't laproscopic, that might explain the additional pain and side effects...was it?

    ETA: Also, many people experience stomach upset and diarrhea or sudden urgency to go after eating fatty meals when the gallbladder is removed. Could this be part of the problem?

    It was laparoscopic. I've had three other laparoscopic surgeries for endometriosis and this isn't the normal incision pain.
    I'm not sure about the fat. I had less than 15 grams of fat for 3 days straight and still had diarrhea.

    During laproscopic surgery, the abdomen is inflated with gas so the instruments can move around without bumping organs. Often it's difficult for the doc to get all the gas back out, and it's quite painful afterward as it moves through the body to escape, usually up through the right side to the shoulder. It can feel like a very sharp piercing pain in the lungs when you lie down for weeks, and then a sharp gassy pain the in the shoulder for about another week, and then it's gone. I couldn't sleep on my right side for about 2 months after my tubal ligation. Those gasses could be part of the problem, and part of what's causing your pain, but it's doubtful that it would cause nausea.

    It can take your digestive system time to adapt to the lack of a gallbladder. As has been explained, there's no longer a staging area for bile, which breaks down fats, so when you eat, your liver is dumping bile directly to your stomach, and that can cause considerable upset and having to poop immediately. I haven't heard of it making anyone nauseated, but I guess it's possible.

    In other words, don't panic, but you know your own body better than your doc. Consider these and the other explanations you've received here, and if they don't alleviate your fears, then don't take no for an answer with the doctors. Essentially, they work for you. If you have a valid reason to request a test, there's absolutely no excuse for them not giving it to you.
  • iamladygusta
    iamladygusta Posts: 42
    Yeah, I had horrible gas pain in my right shoulder for a couple days following surgery. This isn't that--It feels like a gallbladder attack. I went back to my doctor and he started me on something that helps with bile diarrhea. He actually was considering admitting me to the hospital for pain control but I felt I'd be more comfortable medicating at home. Liver tests are still high-he said it is is possible that enough time hasn't passed but that it should have come down a little by now. Re-checking in 2 weeks and then going from there. Thank you all for your input!! Now that I'm not as dehydrated I'm not as fatigued and can handle the pain a little better.
  • ButterflyEl
    ButterflyEl Posts: 29 Member
    My mum had her gall bladder removed as an emergency and experienced intermittent pain whenever she ate anything containing fat for a while. I know she has had similar problems to you. She's on this site too so I'll let her know about this thread!
  • Fatandfifty3
    Fatandfifty3 Posts: 419 Member
    ...and here's Mum!
    Yep. I've got all this too. My gall bladder was removed as an 'emergency' operation last December. (It took 2 months for the thing to calm down enough to let them remove it.) The surgeon 'dropped' a lot of the stones back inside me and couldn't find them all. He told me they might cause abscesses. (Oh well that's alright then!)
    I get a weird rolling increasing severity wavelike pain between the rib cage. I don't get the sharp stone under the right rib anymore. I've been tested for ulcers (negative). i now have a almost constant pain over the left kidney. I was told that I will probably suffer from chronic pain. ( "take painkillers" )
    I am somewhat weary from all this and resent going back to the doctors.
    Going back to what the OP said. -I would cut down massively on the fat you are eating.
    Fascinating post and I'll be interested to read more of what people say.
  • JennDoesKeto
    JennDoesKeto Posts: 244 Member
    Im curious to know how you are feeling, I just had my Hida scan yesterday and was told my gallbladder couldn't be found. so now waiting on the doctors to call me and tell me what comes next.

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