Nutrition and healthy eating

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• December 17, 2012 8:40 p.m.

  I have had similar problems to many on this blog. I had my surgery a year ago and still have have gas and bow movement problems. I have learned a lot reading the comments. Two doctors recommended "Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension USP powder" to me. I mix it with some water and juice. It tastes like chalk but it works. The problem is that you have to experiment a little with it as it can constipate you if you use too much. A scoop a day helps to regulate the bile in the digestive tract to some extent and you can feel normal at least for a while. It requires a prescription. Worth a try.

  - Rick

• December 17, 2012 2:28 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed Dec. 4, 2012. The first week I had no problems with eating but now it seems like everything I eat goes straight through me.

  - April

• December 17, 2012 10:57 a.m.

  I had my gall bladder removed on 9/20/12. I have been able to eat most things and not have an issue with them. I am finding as I go along I cannot digest beef. Immediately after I do I get terrible internal gas or diareeha. Also I have had a staph infection since the surgery. Have already been on one course of anti biotic, which did take the infection away. But it came back within 2 weeks after the ab was finished. I am now on the 2nd course of ab. I've also gained about 15 pounds in 3 weeks. So not sure whats going on with that.

  - M

• December 16, 2012 11:47 p.m.

  It's been nearly a year since I had my gall bladder removed, and I just wanted to say that my life/diet is largely back to the way it was pre-surgery. My meals are a bit smaller, and I try to eat a little more fiber and a little less meat. But I've found I can pretty much eat anything. In moderation, nothing is off limits. Your digestive system and appetite will be wacky the first few weeks after the surgery, so don't panic if you're not tolerating any foods right away. The painkillers will constipate you, and the stool softener chaser will cause diarrhea. I experienced the two extremes that first week. I just wanted to weigh in and provide some balance to the comments. I almost didn't have the surgery after seeing this site. But I discussed my concerns extensively with my doctors, who were well aware of this site and a bit exasperated by it because the comments don't represent the vast majority of people who've had their gall bladder removed. The internet is NOT a substitute for seeing a doctor and talking to him/her. If your doctor is unresponsive, find another one. I also realized that people who have had good or uneventful outcomes to their surgeries aren't likely to post about it online. They move on with life. I'm not minimizing people's problems here, just urging people to discuss issues with a doctor - and to take stuff on the internet with a grain of salt.

  - Lynn

• December 16, 2012 11:35 p.m.

  Helloand thank you for that information. My 17 year old brother just had his gallbladder just removed 5 days ago and he is hardly eating. He is scared to get the pains he would get when he had his gallbladder. I'm concerned, and am hopping you can give me advic. Thank you

  - minusa

• December 11, 2012 11:29 p.m.

  Also through some help from friends and the internet I have found that pears, or the juice of pears has a healing effect for people who have gallstones or had their gallbladder removed. Also drinking a epsom salt with lemon mixture before bed (that'll help you to digest the food you ate throughout the day). If you are able, fresh papaya is a great natural enzyme. If you can't get fresh papaya's you can get papaya enzymes from any health food store such as Whole Foods, and they taste great.

  - Anuhea

• December 11, 2012 11:23 p.m.

  I just got home from having my gallbladder removed today, in the hospital after the surgery put me on a clear liquid diet. I started eating jello along with clear broth and water. The first day I couldn't even really drink the broth or jello. Today is my 3rd night and now I can handle broth and jello but not much else. After they took the IV out I immediately had to go to the bathroom. My surgeon recommend that I stay away from any fried or high fatty foods, and to stay away from dairy and coffee/caffeinated drinks. Also that I ease my way back to eating solid foods, but to take enzymes that will help my body do what the gallbladder did. My friend who also has had her GB removed has been taking Lypo Gold which is an enzyme and she noticed a big difference in her digestion of foods, improvement of her hair and skin. I am still too scared to eat even bland foods such as rice.

  - Anuhea

• December 11, 2012 1:46 p.m.

  yes, it was a problem having to find a bathroom nearby when outside the home three of sibling had same surgery all had same problem with GI , always having to go to bathroom immediately after eating. We always made sure a br was nearby

  - diana

• December 10, 2012 5:48 p.m.

  I had my gallbadder out 15 years ago & was told by the doctor that I could eat anything. I got so sick & figured out that fats were not an option, even avocado or olives don't sit well after eating them. I have cut out red meat which made a huge difference in how my stomach feels. The best thing that helped me was Aloe Juice twice a day. Also, there is a supplement called Bile Salts that help process the foods that your gallbladder took care of. I just wish my doctor would have told me to go slow on the fats, it would have saved a lot of pain for sure!!

  - Susan

• December 10, 2012 11:23 a.m.

  Hi Jennifer: I am in a quandry. I had my gall bladder/stones removed in February 2009. I have been feeling fine and actually have lost some weight since then...was around 163 and now am under 150; height 5'4". My eating for most of my life has been low fat...haven't eaten any meat in years, eat mostly white meat chicken, altho do have dark meat on occasion, salmon (poached), fresh vegetables (trying organic when I can afford it), fruits, more recently egg whites for omelettes that I have come to enjoy, and salads (with baby spinach my big preference.) For the past 10 days I have had that dull stomach ache that mirrors what happened when I developed gall stones. Over the past 24 hours my lower back on the right side has hurt when I get in and out of bed. I am concerned that I either have stones again (gall or kidney, not sure from what I have googled), and that I will need a CT scan to determine (whatever.) I have had many surgeries, mostly cartilage and bone related, and have a vitamin d deficiency that I address with supplements. My stomach problems are constant, rotating between constipation and diarrhea (sometimes to the point of bleeding.) Can you tell me what I should be eating--are eggs (the whites) and spinach and musrooms ok considering the D content, along with supplements? Can I "pass" whatever is going on in my system possibly and if so how best to do so? I am drinking lots of water. Please let me know your thoughts/comments. Thank yo

  - Marilyn

• December 9, 2012 2:28 p.m.

  I had my GB removed July 5,2011. Was told by all that my diet wouldn't need changed. All was going well, until around the first of August, I started having a hard time breathing. Stepped on a scale and I had gained 20 lbs. I have no doubt it is because I don't have the GB to process the fats. I didn't eat anything out of the norm. So, that is the only thing I can figure would have been my problem. I did lose the 20 pounds after carefully watching what I ate (mostly fruits and veggies). I now have to watch what I eat to make sure I'm not eating anything on a regular basis that could add that weight back on. Believe me, you'll know when that is. It starts to add it back on within days. Hope my story helps. Would have been great to know before hand to watch what I eat and not told to just eat normally. I'm not an over eater, but I'm not a bird either. :)

  - Leslie

• December 7, 2012 8:50 p.m.

  I had mine removed 11-24-12 gallstones and badly infected with gangreen I'd've died if they hadn't I was feeling fine monday night then it hit me like Mike Tyson sucker punched me I worked tues & wed went to emergency room thur night they removed it sat afternoon with open surgery got released Tues rested all week had my staples removed mon returned to work that tues Rt now im watching what I eat im going slow soups are good subway is good my bowel habits are very different lm letting my body adjust on its own no rush I ate Thanksgiving dinners after my discharge tuna subs work pretty well coffe me always did,prayer works, staying positive and happy makes my recover very swift depression will kill you, prayer being positive any being happy will help you over the trauma immensly....

  - E.A

• December 6, 2012 10:01 p.m.

  I had my gall bladder removed about 14 years ago at the age OF 26 about a year after my first son was born. I have had 2 kids since now 13 and 10 years old. I can't say i have had any real problems due to no gall bladder. Occasionally when i mix foods like fruit with eggs and/or coffe I have major crampoing and need a bathroom fast but.....not sure that has anything to do with gall bladder. Hope that helps! Honestly after reading every body elses info...I am doing great!!!

  - Anne

• December 6, 2012 12:43 a.m.

  I had my gall bladder taken out in 2010. My doctor didn't. tell me about the fator what can happen. My lifestyle changed requiring me to be on the road a lot. I started noticing when I ate fast food I would have to use the bathroom almost right away. I kept. telling my husband it was like taking a laxative. I forgot about my gall bladder and never put it together until today. I also have had severe bouts if constipation. I highly suguest limiting fats and adding the fiber.

  - Freedom

• December 5, 2012 9:10 a.m.

  What works for me is to eat small amounts every couple of hours. Keep a food journal and record how you feel an hour after eating. I started with boiled red-skin potatoes. They were nicely tolerated, then build on that. Toss in a few cooked carrots or steamed green beans with the potatoes and so on. Unsalted brown rice cakes are easily digested and a great thing to munch. It's trial and error at this point. Bananas are an excellent choice because they help with diarrhea. Try nibbling on a frozen one. It's a treat!

  - Merry

• December 4, 2012 2:54 a.m.

  Hi, my daughter which is 15 yrs old had her gallbladder removed 6 weeks ago, healing process took about 3 weeks which was never told to us, infact 4 days was said. Since the op she is always full of gas however no runny tummy, so i guess our bodies all react differently. Touch wood, she never had another attack since her op and i merely keep her on a low fat diet, diary products is a definate no go......rather stick to small meals and fresh juices.....Good luck to all those who had their gallbladder removed and remember a slight runny tummy or a bit of nausea is better than having that pain and discomfort.

  - Janice

• December 3, 2012 10:35 a.m.

  I had my GB removed in 1986. I've since then eaten everything with no notable symptoms. However, as I had checkups over the years the doctors always made comments about my Blood Sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol. My fasting blood sugar always was around 150, my triglycerides were always a little low but not too low for correction. This year, I've gotten type II diabetes and had a heart attack. I was overweight my LDL and HDL were 38/98 too low again (or the ratio is wrong). The x-ray of my heart was "Squeaky clean" as my Cardiologist put it. He could not explain the reason for my heart attack other than diabetes. I'm not a doctor but GB removal is an un-natural procedure aimed at a natural bodily response to nutritional abuse to your body. I believe my digestive system is impaired and cannot handle the good fats needed for good heart health. If I had it to do over, knowing what I know now, I'd have sought another option. I am currently looking for a diet/supplement that is designed for a post cholecystectomy life style.

  - Kell

• December 2, 2012 3:30 a.m.

  Im having my gall bladder out soon.Im overweight any help would be nice

  - NM

• November 29, 2012 4:05 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder taken out 8 yrs ago...The first 2 yrs I did have cramps and occasionally diarrhea but after that I have been able to eat everthing the worst that happens is heartburn.

  - Elizabeth

• November 28, 2012 5:22 p.m.

  Had my surgery 2 months ago. First 2 weeks were great, but since then I've been nauseous every day all day. I eat crackers and ginger ale. I have the horrible stabbing gallbladder attack pain all the time now, even though the gallbladder is gone. No matter what I eat or when, the pain remains and so does the nausea. My husband is on my case to eat healthier foods than crackers, but the idea of most other food turns my stomach. I guess since the pain and nausea will be there no matter what, I might as well just suck it up and start eating other things. I was already on a very bland, low fat diet to begin with. I have been depressed since my surgery because of the constant pain, and my husband has run out of sympathy. He says it's my fault because I'm not eating the right foods. The pain is more chronic and worse now than when I still had the gallbladder. I take vitamins and supplements and drink plenty of fluids. Almost no dairy. I also have fibromyalgia so I'm wiped out most of the time. He's angry with me for not preparing fresh meals for myself and not becoming a master post-gallbladder-removal expert chef. I'm at my wits end and don't even know where to start as far as food goes.

  - Amy

• November 27, 2012 5:03 p.m.

  I had my surgery in August and I feel so much better. The only thing I am having trouble eating is Milk and Yogurt.

  - Cheryl

• November 25, 2012 9:36 p.m.

  I just had surgery a week ago, and I can't eat much of anything without cramps, gas, bloating and then going to the bathroom. I was eating small meals, and very little fat previously and have continued to do so. I am feeling a bit discouraged because the doctors didn't caution me about my diet after surgery. I am going to Asia in 6 weeks and wonder how much weight I will end up losing after 3 weeks there.LOL!! I guess I will just give it time, and I will follow the advice in this excellent article shown to me by a Fibromyalgia Health Coach. So yes, I also suffer with fibromyalgia and had GERD and irritable bowel even before I went in to this surgery. Guess, life is all about learning experiences...Thanks for the much appreciated article!

  - Patti

• November 25, 2012 4:09 p.m.

  My 92 year old mother is having another bout of diarrhea. Tests all negative again. She gets this off and on. She had gallbladder removed approx age 55. Not sure when this all started but I know she has had it from about age 70. Currently trying to stop dairy. Noticed she got it about 1/2 hr after she had two chocolates (with soft creamy filling,(had real cream). Again when today about 20 mins after I gave her double caramel popcorn (so maybe the sweetness). Gave her french vanilla coffee from Timmy's, not sure if there is dairy in it, but again it is sweet. She;ll be OK for awhile, then this starts again.

  - Tina

• November 23, 2012 9:19 a.m.

  I had my gallbladder out on 11/16/12 and am having chronic urgent diarrhea daily. I'm recovering from surgery in other aspects, but this is a debilitating and frightening side-effect. Praying for healing and answers!

  - steph

• November 22, 2012 1:43 p.m.

  I had my gall bladder removed 2 1/2 years ago & I can eat just about anything.

  - Sue