Nutrition and healthy eating

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• February 21, 2013 7:40 p.m.

  Had half my stomach removed in 1969. Had my gall bladder removed in 1999 due possible bruise in car wreck in 1992. Appendix removed in 2002. I can only tell you to watch what you eat if it bothers don't eat , but be prepared for it to totally change at any time.. Just be and do and enjoy life. Trust in the lord he has got me through a lot of things.

  - Ralph

• February 21, 2013 5:35 p.m.

  I had my gall bladder removed this past Monday 2/18/2013. Went in with severe abdominal pain and the ER doctors were certain I had kidney stones. After blood tests and an ultrasound, I was admitted with pancreatitis, and a collapsing gall bladder. What I know is that life may not be the same, I may not be able to eat the foods that I so adored, I may not be able to join friends going out to eat. What I do know is that my life could have come to a halt this last weekend if it were not for the healthcare I received. Knowing that only 50 years ago or so, this type of condition that I can only say was caused by my own habits, actually put people in a grave. I have nothing but gratitude for the surgery, the hospital, the doctors, nurses, surgeon, and even students that tended to me for 72 hours until I was released. I may face dietary challenges for the remainder of my life, but see that it will only be a change for the better, making me a better person. I welcome the weight loss, the healthy foods, and embrace that I have been given life.

  - Jake

• February 21, 2013 1:03 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed over 12 years ago. Diarrhea has been a constant, throughout. I tried adding fiber in the way of Metamcil wafers,especially during traveling and they helped in a small way. Recently, after being treated for over one year for acid reflux, I had an egd due to worsening stomach pain. The EGD revealed that my stomach was full of bile and the reflux I was having was actually bile reflux. The zantac that I had been taking was worsening the condition...bile being a base, the meds were taking away the acid that was needed to neutralize the bile. After 3 months on Carafate liquid ( sucralose) I have no suggestions at all from my gastroenterologist as to what I should do for this bile reflux and anticipate the same thing happening to my stomach again ! Limiting all fats helps somewhat. Caffeine, esp. coffee is a big trigger, causing almost immediate diarrhea. I also limit alcohol. I wondering what this is doing to my liver and why I wasn't told to have liver enzyme labs done periodically. Simply put, life after cholecystectomy sucks, no one has a good answer and you just have to find what works best to control this. Good luck, everyone !

  - Suzanne

• February 21, 2013 10:48 a.m.

  I'm glad I looked up this site on "after Gallbladder Surgery". I had my gallbladder removed on April 16, 2012. Since it hasn't been quite a year since surgery I find that through "trial and error" I can eat most things that I was use to eating, but at times somethings lay heavy in my stomach. Also, eating to much fiber makes me have stomach cramps and sometimes diarrehea. I am not a big coffee drinker except I like one big cup of coffee in the morning. Sometimes it makes me have a sore stomach, but usually doesn't last long. I believe that having my gallbladder removed was the best decision I've made in a long time.

  - Mary

• February 20, 2013 7:29 a.m.

  I had my gall bladder removed three years ago and life hasn't been the same since. Bile comes every week or so for two days-three days. I eat right: baked chicken, fish,potato,pasta that I cook. I've been to many physicians with stomach tests. Help!

  - suzy handler

• February 20, 2013 7:05 a.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed (it had collapsed and was filled with gallstones) in October 2011, and have not recovered since. I am still trying to find the right balance of foods to eat without the horrible side effects of bloating, cramping, runny tummy, etc. And because I can't get a good balance, I havent been able to get back to pilates and gyming as I once could, so I have gained so much weight and now can't seem to lose any of it. I have recently found that a combination of zinc and fibre, together with Loperamide, can make a big difference but its a combination that needs to be worked out through trial and error. But at least I can have a bit of everything, without too much recourse. However I still avoid all dairy, and also caffiene. It is truly a life changing surgery and if I could have prevented it I would have... life is never going to be the same.

  - Kirsty

• February 20, 2013 5:25 a.m.

  It has been five years since my gall bladder removal and iy has been rough. I do have other issues as well with GI. It seems even a tad of dairy, fat, grease, leafy veggies and/or caffiene screws my bowel up for days. I am now going to try to stick to a diet, albeit boring as all heck. You can't get away with cheating when you have these issues. I would get a second opinion myself next time!! LOL!

  - fitz

• February 20, 2013 1:33 a.m.

  Gallbladder removed May 2011, still have issues. So far, taking calcium carbonate (caltrate with vitamin d plus minerals), which i found on another blog is the only think that helps minimize D on a consistent basis. Trial and error has proven to be approx 1 tablet every other day, but again, everyone's body is different after this surgery!

  - sherri

• February 19, 2013 4:38 p.m.

  Hello everyone, I am having my gallbladder surgery in 2 days. After reading many of these comments I will admit it kind of freaked me out a bit. I came on this site looking for info on post surgery foods to eat and not eat. I come to find out that what info I have already been given by my own surgeon would have helped alot of you people out. Here is the basic list of do's and don'ts. YES to applesauce, toast w/jelly, no butter, margarine or peanut butter, plain scrambled eggs, plain pasta w/low fat toppings, baked/grilled chicken breast & white fish, crackers, rice, cooked veggies, oatmeal, cream of wheat, cereal w/skim milk, low fat yogurt,fruits, especially bananas, grapes, apples, blueberries, mashed potatoes, broth based soups or low fat cream soups. Here is the foods to avoid list, all caffeinated drinks, tea, coffee, soda, alcohol, chocolate, black pepper, chili powder, sweets, baked goods, whole fat dairy like cheese, cream, cream cheese, whole & 2% milk, chips, casseroles, all fatty & fried foods, veggies prepared with added fats, no butter, shortening or fat of any kind, nuts, peanut butter, gravy. YES this list is kinda scarey but they are all very hard to digest. A BLAND low fat diet might help reduce some of those horrible tummy pains & issues. I did my own research and everything related to post gallbladder says take it slow in eating after surgery, smaller frequent meals. I am no expert but do some research & you'll know what to expec

  - Michelle

• February 19, 2013 4:13 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder out a week ago. Surgery went very well. Since then everything I eat is trial and error to see what upsets my system and what doesnt. So far everything has been ok, with the exception of anything fried or high in fat. Also- anything I eat could be a piece of string cheese or a grilled chicken wrap causes my stomach to bloat very bad and my bowel movements are very seldom ( as apposed to pre-surgery, I was very regular) Is anyone else experinecing anything similar?

  - Jessica

• February 18, 2013 6:00 p.m.

  Had my gallbladder out 2-7-13 so far so good. Eating cautiously..soups,no red meat yet after 10 days, cottage cheese,shrimp,mandarin oranges,blueberries,fish,chicken,applesauce, eggs. Wanting to try coleslaw,lettuce fresh raw vegetables,meatloaf but worried from what I have read. Incisions are healing very well and no pain. after 10 days. Didn't really want to have the surgery but so far no real complaints.

  - Sherrie

• February 17, 2013 2:24 p.m.

  Renea, I drank vegetable broth for the first couple of days after I had my surgery. I also tried chicken broth. I ate mini saltine crackers and tried toast as well. Good luck.

  - Terri

• February 16, 2013 7:28 p.m.

  I have many questions about post gallbladder surgery. I have many food allergies such as milk, dairy, & yes, beef. My family eats a lot of lean meats such chicken & fish. We hardly use butter due to my allergies. I had my gallbladder removed two days ago. I am quite small as it is & cannot afford to lose too much weight. Today, I got sick & vomited, so I took it light on the food today. Does anyone have suggestions on what I can have liquid wise that will be able to sustain me through this difficulty?

  - Renea

• February 15, 2013 1:22 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed 1/7/2013 it is now 2/15/2013 and I'm still having issues. I have been to the hospital 4 times since my surgery because I could not stop being nauseated and throwing up. I have lost over 20lbs since my surgery and have been very weak. My first gastroenterologist finally saw me without sending me to the hospital and said I had an ileus (bowel obstruction). He put me on this RIDICULOUS diet to where I had to drink 2 oz every hour of a nutritious drink (ensure) and every time the clock hit the 6 I had to drink 2 oz of a juice with a laxative in it. (He is known as a good doctor, but has a HORRIBLE bedside manner). Anyways, that's when I started getting REALLY weak because he had me on that for two weeks. I called my primary doctor and he said that i should have been able to start eating once i started to use the bathroom. Also, i had used the bathroom the day i saw my gastro when he told me i had an ileus. If you read about an ileus it will tell you that they normally catch it after surgery and you have to be admitted and have a feeding tube. I had not eaten a full meal since the beginning of December so i didnt have anything to make me go!!!!!! I started getting weak so i called my gastro and he if you're having blackout spells, blurry vision, and feeling faint then you need to be seen so go to the hospital. I was NOT going to go for the 5th time in a month. I have finally switched gastros and I am now allowed to eat. Still having issues.

  - Stephanie

• February 13, 2013 5:34 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed 9 days ago. The first week or so was pretty tough. My stomach was so small from not being able to eat as much daily, pre-surgery. I have slowly been able to build up my food intake. I have found to stay away from anything super greasy. I am also taking a Probiotic to help digestive track as well as my immune system. Which is another thing I have noticed is very different since surgery. If I don't eat properly throughout the day, it's almost as if I feel that I have a cold before I go to bed. Still, things are getting better day by day. I can still drink coffee and eat most dairy products. Fruits and vegetables are a must, they have been my savior. Lots of fruit smoothies. Plain chicken, rice, toast. Keep it simple, it gets better.

  - Greg

• February 10, 2013 11:11 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed over two years ago, and the problems I have with digestion are even worse than they were before surgery. I've been doing some research on what foods to eat, but I've also begun a list of trigger foods to avoid. Coffee, whether caffeinated or decaffeinated, cause some serious issues. Any dairy products (except skim milk) such as cheese, butter, whole milk, and yogurt are absolute hell on my system. Certain uncooked veggies seem to be hard for my stomach to digest as well, like celery and broccoli. Soda is a big no no. All of these foods cause bloating, pain, gas and diarrhea. Interestingly, the two things that really seem to help when I've eaten these things and am having gastrointestinal distress are lemon juice and pickle juice (yes, straight from the jar). Hope this helped!

  - Cassie

• February 9, 2013 6:51 p.m.

  I don't know about y'all, but I have been having drastic stomach issues after gallbladder removal 3 weeks ago. Coffee, alcohol nauseate me where they used to be fine. Milk and yogurt seem to be okay. But I vomited after eating sausage in a stew that tasted so good. My friends in the medical field tell me I need to re-learn how to eat because even the simplest little things that seem so innocent will now be too difficult for me to digest. I have never liked greasy foods, so I never saw this as a problem, but I just need to re-define what "greasy" is. Like, how much butter can I cook with? How much cheese is acceptable? How much cream in my tea? Those are the only "greasy foods" that I submit myself to. Just gotta learn how to balance this out. It's a new life.

  - Cheri

• February 9, 2013 6:25 p.m.

  I am so glad to find this blog. I am having my gallbladder out in 10 days.I have been on a low fat diet for about 2 weeks now and have less pain and have lost about 7 lbs and more energy.I cannot seem to take in the 1500 calories the dietician told me to eat. I get too full and cannot finish eating. I have had constipation my entire life. So I am hoping if I get the runs it may be balanced out and make me "normal". ;-) My in-laws had no problems and can eat anything without their gallbladders. But time will tell. I need to stay on a low fat diet anyway because I have a slightly fatty liver and the gallstones were found while testing for my diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis(non-alcoholic) which I am told is an autoimmune disease, as is my Underactive Thyroid, Fibromyalgia and pre-diabetes. The thought of not being able to eat steak, meat sauce, cheese, porkchops or chocloate....gads. I guess time will tell what my body will accept. I used to love shrimp & lobster but I prefer breathing, so I don't miss it too much. So I am sure if there is a food that makes me extremely ill, I won't mind not eating it anymore. Right now I am wondering if I can park my car in the garage since I was told don't lift anything over 25 lbs for 6 weeks. I live alone. I have no clue how to figure out the weight when pulling up the door.I really don't want to leave my car outside until the end of March. Wish me luck- I'm having a liver biopsy at the same time to see how much damage

  - Judy

• February 9, 2013 12:23 p.m.

  For constipation (from meds.) husband uses 4 oz prune juice within 10 mins. of heaviest daily meal; it mixes with food in stomach and does wonders! For me: Lapros. surgery 9/12/12.The opposite bad D.!!!!! No rhyme nor reason. Lost 25 lbs. since. Also have had Irritable Bowel Syndrome for 53 years plus born with a redundant colon. Prev. to surgery the pill Colestid 2 x/day worked wonders. Gastro dr. now says 3 x/day 1/2 hr. before eating a meal. (And can increase to 2 pills w/ every meal - up to total of 6/day.) Should work. But . . considering my past history, still trying to balance this out. Some days running to john 5x or 4x, 3x 1x or none for up to 2 to 4 days. My advice to those coping w/ D, keep in constant check w/ your gastro dr.!!!! If colestid or its powder form (cholestryramine resin, which is easier to regulate your dosage)isn't working sufficiently, there's another drug called colesevelam, another bile acid sequestrant like colestid, may work better for you. Again, your dr. knows best!!! If unsatisfied with him/her, go to another gastro dr. for opinion or help. I have read a medical paper on "Managing Bile Acid Diarrhea" (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002596/) and author agrees this post-surgical reaction needs a lot of research and fast . . .too many are having these symptoms. Wish you the best and keep your spirits up - hard to do, right???? PS: caffeine and alcohol are two extremely bad gut irritants and those are next step

  - -gwen

• February 9, 2013 11:28 a.m.

  I still can barely eat anything. Has to have 0 saturated fat.

  - Juliana

• February 9, 2013 9:39 a.m.

  Hi everyone Had my gallbladder out a few years ago and still have some problems after a fatty meal. I already did not eat condiments or sauces and rarely eat fast foods. I going to try eating more fruits and veggies. recommend when you have diarreah or start to feel sick go to the BRAT diet that is suggested for baby's with diarreah. Bananas, rice, applesause and toast. This helps to get me back on track faster. good luck

  - Julie

• February 8, 2013 10:12 p.m.

  hi Lorie and everyone else.......... i'm sad to hear you are going through this as well.... I am going to try eating a thinly slice clove of garlic daily in a spoon of honey.......i was reading a home remedy book and it says to try this. in this book it said to rub garlic on a bald spot twice a day and hair would grow i did this and it worked. i'm hoping this works. anyways........have a nice weekend all. oh i had read on another site that ginger root would stop the diarreah. i bought some ginger root capsules. and in about 3 days my diarreah was not diarreah, the only thing was i got severe stomach cramps like twice a week. i stopped taking those.

  - Cindy

• February 8, 2013 3:08 p.m.

  To Cindy from 1-28-13. Since i had my gall bladder removed on 12/7/11 running to the bathroom never quits. When u get an answer please let me know.. You don't know how many times i had to leave work to get different clothes. what an embarassment

  - Lorie

• February 8, 2013 3:00 p.m.

  I had my gall bladder removed one year ago and i continue to have diarrhea continually. everytime if eat i am running to the bathroom within 5-10 minutes. I'm always looking for a cure for this

  - Lorie

• February 7, 2013 11:53 p.m.

  Hi guys, I had my galbladder removed on the 13/12/12. Had a gallstone of 16.3mm and the pain was excruciating. I have lost 6 kg's (13.2 pounds). I have learnt to stay away from any oily foods, chocolates, fizzy drinks, green vegetables, creamy/rich sauces. I know immediately when I have eaten something wrong. The best advice I can give, is to keep a diary of what you eat, that way you will find out which foods to avoid. As soon as I eat something wrong, I will have diarrhea for the whole of the next day. As soon as there is to much fibre in what I need, I'll be constipated for a week. So its really a catch 22 situation. Everyone says eventually you will be able to eat everything again. But my motto, take it day by day, and slowly introduce the food that you always ate. If it has side effects, avoid it for while, and then try again. Have to say, except for the diarrhea and constipation, I'm so happy to be pain free. Good luck to you all. xxx

  - Rechelle