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“Hello all. Thanks for the comments here which I hit with a search to find a solution to this problem. The frequent mentioning that you have already asked doctors about this and came up empty is not encouraging.
I had mine out 6 years ago. I asked a co-worker at the time what the effects were of losing a gall bladder, and the answer was that unless she ate a big breakfast, she would get diarrhea, so she smiled and said “”so I eat a big breakfast!”” 🙂 She was a little on the heavy side and this obviously was not punishment to her.
I have always experienced the same as all of you, but a few comments threw me off, such as there is less bile than before. My basic reasoning is that the gall bladder stored bile, and without the storage it is going directly on into the stomach. The less food is eaten, the more bile accumulates, so that when anything hits the stomach, the **** hits the fan, figuratively, literally, etc.
My experience has been that this is almost calcuable based on time since last eating. There was advice on eating frequently and in small amounts, which was good but I think it’s a little bit more accurate to say eat normal sized portions frequently rather than a big meal infrequently. It is ironic that the very act of delaying from eating out of fear of the results is the cause of the results. Eating frequently keeps the bile used up and results in normal bowel movements, in my experience.
I also had concluded from past experience that heavy foods, such as steak, were best at keeping the system moving normally. I now see from these posts that bile is used on fatty meats and fried foods. My advice is the opposite of some of the above. Eat normally and every few hours, and the bile will be used up as it is created. You will have as normal a digestive system as before, without the gall bladder attacks, which I agree with one writer above, I thought I was going to die before going to ER and into surgery, after years of attacks that I thought were gas related because my stomach was swelled up so hard. But of course that was a response to the severe pain underneath emanating from the gall bladder and not gas related at all.
For various reasons, I haven’t had the time for the past three days to eat enough, and now have non-painful diarrhea, or a purely water based bowel movement, if you will, for the last two or three days. Partly I want to shrink my stomach, and I am willing to deal with this side effect in the process. The stomach has shrunk down quite a bit ove the last three days as I ate very minimally, but I was hoping to find a bile nullifier other than heavy foods as a permanent solution. Believe me, I was quite shocked to find that doctors are so clueless on this subject. I am just conjecturing based on experience, and the key is whether bile is generated as a result of eating foods that require it for digestion, therefore a diet avoiding the foods mentioned in previous posts would skirt around the problem somewhat, or whether bile is produced steadily and must be used up and flushed out before it accumulates. The fact that a gall bladder stored bile for use when food arrived for digestion suggests to me that it is produced ahead of time and is now sitting in the stomach instead of the gall bladder, producing the undesirable diarreah. Speaking of which, as I type this, I can attest that the stomach will continue to churn away on nothing and produce more watery output even when absolutely nothing is eaten or drunk in the last 15 hours. Sorry, gotta go! 🙂
”Had mine out in 2000. Try to eat healthy, but do end up with soft long, skinny poop most of the time anyway. Recently had a run of really bad colds. Three weeks in July, 1 week in Oct. and am just getting over a 2 week doozy of a bug now. Finally went to a doc who is a regular md, but also does naturopathic stuff. I complained that I thought my immune system was not working well. This does tie in with gall bladders, trust me. He asked if I had dry skin. I’ve never had dry skin in my life but in the last several months it has been unbelievable. He said that my adrenals might be stressed and gave me hydrocortisone to give them a boost. They are the largest store of vitamin C in the body. I’d been taking a lypo-spheric vitamin c that supposedly allows you to take larger amounts with better bowel tolerance. Problem is, because of the oil base, I was shitting it out anyway. Add to that a high stress period in my life and therefore, a greater need for vitamin c and there goes my adrenals. The cortisone made a HUGE difference. The bronchitis is finally moving on and I feel like I’m finally gtting completely over the first bug I got in July. The doc asked if I was taking bile salts. I’d tried ox bile, but it wants to come up as soon as I get it down. He said not to take it then. My body doesn’t want it. He did say that if my stool wasn’t mahogany or dark colored I probably wasn’t making enough bile and that we could either test for pancreatic enzymes in the stool or I could just start taking the enzymes. I have gained 30 pounds over the course of the 9 years since my gall bladder was taken out. The doc says that when you can’t process fats, you may not be processing the the essential fatty acids that we need. For those to be assimilated stomach acid has to be adequate, bile juices are important and pancreatic enzymes are essential. Symptons that you aren’t making what you need to process these are weight gain, (check) dry skin,(check) joint problems (carpel tunnel syndrome both wrists-check) etc. Talk to your own doctors if any of this resonates, but I was glad to have found someone ready to treat the cause, not just the symptons. I really felt like I was just going down hill and was almost to where I just didn’t care. I’m going to work with this doc and see if we can get things right for me. Once you upset the body’s balance you really have to look at the interdependence of all the parts and how their interaction can affect you. Hope this helps someone like it did me.
“I have absolutely no doubt that trapped rage/anger was the cause of my gall-bladder problems. Fatty food is a trigger, but the longstanding problem is suppressed stress and other negative feelings (emotional bile) that solidify in the body and cause stones. Once you’ve got them and you’ve had an attack, you’re pretty much at the mercy of the doctors.
My operation a year ago was a resounding success. Took two operations, one to unblock the bile duct, one to remove the gb, then six days of recuperation while my liver got back to normal. Horrendous, looking back. I now can’t eat fatty or oily foods in the usual quantities, and have a problem with anything ‘sharp’, such as chips, crusty bread, crackers. These hurt my tubes going down.
Above all, it was a wake-up call about my trapped emotions and the damage I was doing to myself with anger. Since then I have changed jobs, improved my diet, cleansed and detoxed, started exercising, oil-swishing, and taking coconut oil every day, etc. But more importantly I’ve undertaken courses in meditation, yoga, and general relaxation which keep my body mellow and my mood upbeat. It’s working. I’m a much happier specimen than I was a year ago. I only wish I’d known this ten years ago”
“I have absolutely no doubt that trapped rage/anger was the cause of my gall-bladder problems. Fatty food is a trigger, but the longstanding problem is suppressed stress and other negative feelings (emotional bile) that solidify in the body and cause stones. Once you’ve got them and you’ve had an attack, you’re pretty much at the mercy of the doctors.
My operation a year ago was a resounding success. Took two operations, one to unblock the bile duct, one to remove the gb, then six days of recuperation while my liver got back to normal. Horrendous, looking back. I now can’t eat fatty or oily foods in the usual quantities, and have a problem with anything ‘sharp’, such as chips, crusty bread, crackers. These hurt my tubes going down.
Above all, it was a wake-up call about my trapped emotions and the damage I was doing to myself with anger. Since then I have changed jobs, improved my diet, cleansed and detoxed, started exercising, oil-swishing, and taking coconut oil every day, etc. But more importantly I’ve undertaken courses in meditation, yoga, and general relaxation which keep my body mellow and my mood upbeat. It’s working. I’m a much happier specimen than I was a year ago. I only wish I’d known this ten years ago”
“First off, I work in surgery, so for you who are concerned about the clips, let me explain how they work. I am not discounting the possibility that you may be allergic to the metal clips, but that’s is how the procedure is done. The gallbladder has to be disconnected from the bile duct, and the cystic artery. Once these 2 are identified, they are clipped and cut. If they are not clipped, you would either bleed to death, or you would become septic and die from all the bile leaking into your system. The only other alternative is to be cut on( a huge cut across your upper abdomen,and the gallbladder taken out that way, in which case the duct and artery can be tied off with absorable suture( surgeons sometimes still use the clips even in an open procedure).
Second of all, Gallstones are not formed in the gallbladder, they are formed in the liver. If you are suffering from gallstones, and have your gallbladder removed, and are still having the same symptoms, then you have not rid yourself of the gallstones in your liver, and you will continue to hurt, and experience the same problems. Even if you have no stones in your gallbladder, chances that you have them in your liver are pretty good, you must have them removed. I have suffered with gallstones since early this year, and are scheduled for gallbladder surgery friday at noon. The reason? For years I have ate what I wanted to, and disregarded the implications of such irresponsible beharior. My gallbadder functions at 32%. If you are still suffering, please try this. Go to www.************ liver and gallbladder cleanse, and go to DR Clarks recipe for ridding your body of gallstones. I give you my word it works, as my ultrasound today proved, I had no gallstones. I have done his cleanse 5 times, and rid my body of at least 1000 gallstones, now I just have the pain of a non functioning gallbladder. the ingredients for the cleanse are less than 20 bucks, and might solve your pain problems. Good luck. God speed on your healing.”
“I had my gallbladder out in 1992. Since then, I have had what I would call – and now the Dr agrees – is IBS – “”at times””. Sometimes I can eat the same thing that I was fine with yesterday – and I am dying on it today! But, the attack part – I had it a few years back. The specialist I saw said it could be a stone caught in the little edge of the duct that is left when they cut it off to remove the GB. If you imaging your gall bladder and bile duct meeting at an intersection (like an intersecting road on one side only) – then you can picture how it looks after it is removed. They take the entire organ, and then most of the duct that leads into the bile duct. That same duct was already coming from above at the liver and then it picks up extra bile at the gall bladder and then dumps that mix into the stomach for digestion. When they take the organ – that little edge stays. Sometimes a stone is lodged in there as well and that can be really painful!
Bottom line – see the DR. It isnt life threatening, but it hurts like a son of a gun!”
“I just found this site, and I don’t know that I am doing this right or not… Here goes..
I too had gall bladder surgery, removal, about 2 years ago. I too felt worse afterward than before. My doctor just said, to watch what I eat…it didn’t matter what I ate, bland or not bland, still had to run to the bathroom and have stomach pains until I got there!! Luckily there was this t.v. doctor on the news who mentioned this problem and suggested medication called cholestyramine powder. This saved me!! I went to my doctor and asked for this, he said you won’t like the way it tastes, I said anything is better than this!! So, I have used this powder up until about one month ago. I learned there is a pill you can take, colestipol, or something like that, imagine that!! it helps too. I am still trying to find out if I have something terribly wrong or not, but so far nothing is being found to cause it. I recently learned about celiac disease. It causes problems with your small intestine if you eat wheat, or wheat glutons, your system just can’t tolerate it…and there are tons of food with this in it, basically any type of processed food, and anything with wheat in it!! I am being tested for it, even if I don’t have it, I am just going to try to eat more healthy. Like eating the right amount of fiber each day 21-25 grams, and not eating bread, and eating more natural like fruits and veggies and nuts. Look it up on the internet( celiac disease/gluten free foods), there is lots of info about it, and it makes alot of sense.
Hope this helps!!
”“*IF* you develop Barretts esophagus you could have a new proceedure called balloon Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). It is NON SURGICAL!! It offers ‘elimination of Barrett’s tissue without lingering side effects.’
A drug, PHOTOFRIN(R), is used ‘and a special type of laser called an argon dye laser. The drug is injected into a vein and concentrates in abnormal tissue. When exposed to the special laser light, the drug produces a chemical reaction that kills the abnormal cells.’
Also…..if you reduced Chloestyramine/Colestid/Welchol *AND* you have bile pooling in your stomach….that *MIGHT* be the problem. AT LEAST take your prescribed amount, please!! :c} ”
I had my gallbladder removed in Sept. 1994 but still had nagging pains in gallbladder area. Two years later, in Sept. 1996, I started having severe pain (like before gallbladder surgery.)After 2 days I went to ER at hospital and was admitted. I had jaundice and was in agonizing pain that whole day. Before falling asleep that night I asked for something to stop the pain – but was given nothing. I was awakened by a doctor who asked how my pain was. I was amazed that the pain was totally gone. I had different tests done at the hospital, including endoscope but nothing was found. Conclusion was that a stone had been lodged in my bile duct for the 2 years and had worked its way down and out. I no longer have that nagging pain but do have a few others that come with age. Even though you had the scope maybe a stone still remains in your bile duct. Good luck and God bless.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I had my gallbladder removed in 1975 – I still have attacks of pain that mimic gallbladder attacks and are just as painful. The only relief I can get is to take a prescribed pain pill and after 2 or 3 hours the pain subsides. I was diagnosed with celiac disease about 10 years ago and this may make me more apt to react in this way. Good luck and be sure and get checked for celiac disease.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I had my gallbladder removed in 1975 – I still have attacks of pain that mimic gallbladder attacks and are just as painful. The only relief I can get is to take a prescribed pain pill and after 2 or 3 hours the pain subsides. I was diagnosed with celiac disease about 10 years ago and this may make me more apt to react in this way. Good luck and be sure and get checked for celiac disease.
Hi! I just found this site today. I had my gull bladder removed 6 years ago. I had horrible cramps on and off for 3 months after my 1st child was born and when i went in to the hospital they said my gull bladder was full of slush not stones. I had surgery later that day. 6 years later i still have trouble. I usually just have bad cramps and about 20 mins on the toilet. It doesn’t happen all the time but mostly when i drink milk. My doctor did tell me to stay away from dairy, red meat, pork, nuts, popcorn, but mostly foods with alot of fat and acid(like oranges). I lucky with the surgery and had no pain after, but food does still bother me. I do eat shredded wheats and stuff with fiber and it does help some, but i keep alot of pepto and antacids on hand.
“I have not had any gb attacks as you have (my condolences!), but have also thought of getting my gb removed due to a large gallstone and frequent aching and a heavy feeling there, but then found out it is better not to remove it– because removal does not stop the liver from forming gallstones! The gb is not what forms the stones- it is the liver!! and you can’t remove that! I also found out that, only in China or Japan do they have successful surgery to remove the STONES and keep the gb (read a medical report),–but in this country, I was unable to find any surgeon who did that– even in good old Boston! I made an appt with a gastrosurgeon/Harvard Med. School instructor last fall. No luck. I kept looking, though, and found a product (I get no kickbacks!) called Gallbladder Complete. I think you should give it a try before doing surgery, I have ordered 2 bottles, as my achiness may just get worse (oh yeh- the gallstone is 2.4 CM!).Your surgeon will prob. laugh at you if you ask him about it- my surgeon thought “”a bad gb is always a bad gb,”” but I don’t beleive that, and my doc thankfully doesn’t, either. You need to look out for yourself- surgeons get paid to remove gbs! Check out the Testimonials, call the company if you want. check the info about using the product– and pls consider it. You only waste 50.00 to get 2 bottles, if it doesn’t work (and I bet it will). They say the product really cuts the pain too, and can eliminate any stones. Yes, you would have to use the product now and again to keep stones from forming later, and prob. have an ultrasound once a year to keep track of them. Is it worth all that to keep your gb? Well, you decide, after reading this FAQ from the site – (a person’s question and answer):
I HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE SYMPTOMS OFF AND OFF SINCE THEN. I SUSPECT THAT THERE MAY BE A STONE LEFT IN THE DUCT. WILL YOUR PRODUCT WORK UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES?The liver is what is imbalanced. The gallbladder only acts as a reservoir for the bile produced by the liver or at least did before your surgery. If an imbalance existed before, the likelihood is that it still exists, even after the gallbladder is removed. Removal of the gallbladder does not correct the imbalance as most individuals discover following surgery, nor does it prevent the liver from producing stones. Usually it creates additional problems such as a liver that now retains stones that it creates, (no place to go) increased acid reflux, a slower metabolism and additional weight gain because the bile flow has been restricted.
Gallbladder Complete will remove stones, debris and toxins from the liver just as it would in the gallbladder, rebalance the liver’s bile flow, mineral levels and pH, speed up the metabolism again and in doing this, the issues of pain, indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, upset stomach, and others issues and symptoms will disappear.
Good luck! :)”
“Tiff; Sorry to hear about your tragic condition.
I had my gallbaldder removed 20+/- years ago and up until this year I had a slight case of the runs all of that time. Doctors said this was a common result so I lived with it.
Guess what, I stopped drinking milk and my runs are gone. I drank milk all of my life before the surgery with no problems. I still eat ice cream and yogart with no problem but I don’t eat as much of those products as I did milk.
Sometimes I have the same as you, a pain in the uper right quad or even my liver.
I do a Liver Flush or just take Gold Coin Grass. You can still have stones in your liver.With the food passing through you and gaining 60# I would suspect an alergic reaction to something. Surely your doctor has checked you liver enzymes!
Is your weight inside of your intestional cavity or does it hang on the outside and droop? If you are blowing up from the inside I would worry but otherwise I would still suspect an alergic reaction.
I also wonder what the reaction to a pin-hole leak in your bile duct would do?Also next time you have a dumping episode swollow a hand full of corn and see how long it takes to pass through. This will tell you and the doctor if you have a 60# storage tank in your gut, or you are really passing food fast. I hate to hear this but your condition may not be related to the surgery; it’s like 1+1=3.
Also, also when my runs were heavy my colon really got irritated and my guts were not confortable. This sounds strage but I would incert a gelatin suppository before I went to bed or when I was able to keep still and keep it in. Asprin at this time also helps.
I hope some of this may help you, good luck”
I had the same isues and was given at least 10 different diagnosis. Finally I found a doctor who explained that about 5% of Gall Bladder surgeries result in whats called dumping syndrome. Your bile instead of being stored in your gall bladder drains directly into your stomach and causes all kinds of problems. He prescribed Welchol which is normally for high cholesterol. All it does is sit in your stomach and bind to bile and kind of regulating the system. Since taking this medication I have had no problems at all.
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