Wonder what to eat after gallbladder surgery, when all the docs are saying is to eat “low-fat” this and “no-dairy” that?
First, let me tell you, sometimes I could just sit down and cry tears of joy when thinking of all the beautiful people I’ve met through this blog. I’m so thankful for all of you, even you lurkers who rarely comment! 🙂 Mary Alice is one of those I’m grateful to have “met” via the internet, and that’s her above with her new daughter Helen, in Guilin, China, back in December.
(Just want to know how to KEEP your gallbladder? <– Read there.)
She wrote with her amazing story and a question:
Kelly, I'm a mess! I had emergency gallbladder surgery Saturday after a night of the worst pain you can imagine. Now I am afraid to eat, having been warned about diarrhea from meats, fats, cream, milk, cheese, eggs, etc. In other words, all the foods I love to eat. What should I do? Are there guidelines for this anywhere on the net that are NOT part of the fats-are-always-bad-for-you crowd? I don't want to go back to eating the unhealthy diet I ate for years.
I'm actually afraid to eat! I just want to be healthy.
I have 5 children still at home (we have 10 altogether) ranging from 9 to 18, via the blessing of adoption. Two have cerebral palsy, one has 22q11 syndrome, and they all are precious and very active in sports and 4-H. We homeschool, too! I also care for my husband who uses a wheelchair after a long-ago spinal tumor. Our lives are full and wonderful, and I need to be very healthy and full of energy to keep up with my family! 5 of our 6 adopted children are Chinese and we have 3 13 year olds!!!!! See why I need energy? I really, really appreciate your help, I just don't know what to eat after gallbladder surgery!”
My reply:
Hi Mary Alice,
I'm so sorry you had such a rotten weekend! Here's some scoop to help you so you can stay healthy – no need to do the low-fat crap! 🙂
1. Click here to learn: What to eat after gallbladder surgery…
Scroll down to the part that starts like this, “What about a diet for those who have had their gallbladder removed?” Here’s part of it:
What about a diet for those who have had their gallbladder removed? The conventional advice is to go on an extreme, low-fat diet. But your body still needs good fats, and still produces bile to digest them. Even without your gallbladder, you should still eat healthy animal fats and avoid processed vegetable oils.”
2. Two things mentioned over and over in the comments below for help in digesting foods/fats that may be difficult for you to digest now:
- Ox bile supplement to support healthy fat metabolism.
- Digestive enzymes
- These herbal bitters may help with digestion too.
This is from one of the comments:
“I had mine removed 10 years ago when I was 20 weeks pregnant. I took enzymes with ox bile for years faithfully. I only occasionally have problems with things like (real beef) hotdogs or a nice juicy steak. When I’m going to eat those things, I just take the enzymes before hand and I’m good. Otherwise I don’t have any problems with real food at all.”
3. Also you may want to read this: 10 Reasons Why Low Fat is NOT High Nutrition — Read #1: “Healthy bile release requires fat.”
Well, what do you say, readers? Have any of you went on to eat a normal, real food diet after gallbladder removal? I can’t wait to learn more from you! How to do you answer the question about what to eat after gallbladder surgery?
Comment below. 🙂
Remember none of this is meant to be medical advice, and you should consult your doc before implementing anything you read here, especially if you're pregnant!
More you might like:
Jamesjoseph says
I am curious on what is the best foods to be eating too, but I do have some comments.
Claudia says
Since my GB removal last august I have been eating very healthy and tons of mangoes which I am sure by now are causing me to gain weight. How can that be ? anyone with a similar problem ? My diet is pretty much backed, boiled or raw fish, vegetables, rice and mangoes. Please share with me what should I do to avoid gaining more weight 🙁
KitchenKop says
Claudia,
That’s a lot of carbs, which cause weight gain. Check out the post I wrote about this topic.
Hope that helps!
Kelly
js says
I’m probably repeating things some other former gall bladder owners have said, but wanted to add my experience if it helps anyone! I had emergency gall bladder removal after an acute failure (no long term gall bladder disease). Afterwards, like most people, I had horrible digestive complications and no good dietary advice from my doctor. After much reading, research and trial/error I found a few things that help amazingly. A lot of people seem to avoid acids thinking it will make them feel worse (because the pain can mimic acid reflux/heartburn) but you should do the opposite. The pain isn’t an acid burn on your upper stomach, its a caustic burn (from bile overflow) in the lower stomach. Vinegar has been my savior for pain/discomfort. People recommend apple cider vinegar by the spoonful but It was horrible tasting to the point of undrinkable for me. Kambucha tea is a fabulous (though expensive) alternative and pickle juice is a great cheap alternative (if your sodium levels can handle it) either store bought or homemade. You don’t need to drink it by the gallon just a swig or two a day. Raw almonds are an excellent source of insoluble fiber which keeps your bowels working and makes excellent food for all the good little critters in there. Raw or greek style yogurt to replenish those tummy buddies. On days where I couldn’t handle eating much at all without feeling sick I stuck with small foods with high nutritional value to get the most bang for my buck so to speak. Avocados, eggs, olives and kiwis were my go-tos (Makes me wonder if there’s a secret in oval shaped foods haha) The first year was awful but the last five have been great!
Vinegar/Kamucha/Pickles
Almonds
Raw Yogurt
Avocados
Eggs
Olives
Kiwis
Benita Underwood says
Hi, I’m 62 just had emergency gallbladder surgery & stones removed from stomach, colon, which left me with 5 like bullet holes & a sore I don’t want no pain meds, I just want to poop, then I feel better.abdomen. While in hospital I was given liquids then the next day a regular hospital diet. Being in sever pain scared to eat, the Jewish Hospital Kenwood in Cinati, Oh staff were excepitionly helpful, I stayed nauseated etc. Now home 1 wk, it hurts to eat solids, so I continue 2 drink liquids cause of the pain. H E L P ! Abdomen is still in pain, the good of this weight loss 209lbs. down to 197.5 lbs. 30lbs was excess fluids SALT! I’m lighter & hungry, I like special ice cream & lactose free milk.
Benita U.
Christine says
Hi I am 63 and just got out of the hospital , I was brought into the hospital and had to stat 9 days, I was wondering can I eat goat and Lamb and an you send me a link on what foods to eat ,, Right now I can only have broth , water tea, , I hear this and that am is scared a bit and is there anything I an take to help Digestion, And thanks so much for this page
Christine says
sorry I was there for 9 days because my Gallbladder was swollen double it size and the bile was leaking they removed everything in the surgery ,
KitchenKop says
Christine, check out the link in the post, that should help!
Kelly
Lisa says
I had my gallbladder removed in 2006 and at first things were challenging as my body had to readjust to the release of bile for digestion from the liver but having said that, I have not had any major issues unless I eat fried foods. I use coconut oil and olive oil for cooking and food prep, everyday I eat yogurt or other fermented dairy products (I don’t drink milk) for other healthy fats, I eat an avocado a day, I also eat nuts, fresh fruits and veggies — as for meat, I primarily eat fish/chicken but I do also eat beef/pork but I try to avoid eating any fried food products — intestinal health is critical so I take probiotics, eat fermented food and stay away from sugar as much as possible — living a healthy life without your gall bladder is achievable, just remember the basic tenants of nutrition and avoid high fat/high sugar combo foods, fried/greasy foods — as a side note, my partner had his gall bladder removed a few months ago and ignored my advice w/in 2 weeks of his surgery he was back in the hospital due to complications related to the food he was eating (seems to think everything must be fried, covered in gravy/butter and served with bread), they had to insert a drainage tube down his down his throat and drain his stomach.
Just focus on foods that are close to nature, no to little processing and you will be fine
Janice Ford says
I had mine removed 10 years ago when I was 20 weeks pregnant. I took enzymes with ox bile for years faithfully. I only occasionally have problems with things like (real beef) hotdogs or a nice juicy steak. When I’m going to eat those things, I just take the enzymes before hand and I’m good. Otherwise I don’t have any problems with real food at all.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Thanks for the great info Janice Ford – which enzymes do you take?
Janice Ford says
I take these https://kellythekitchenkop.com/digestive-enzymes
Kathryn Hicks says
I had my gall bladder removed 12 years ago and was never given any dietary guidelines. I’m highly gluten sensitive and have hypothyroidism and haemochromatosis. I’m paranoically gluten free, but since going partly paleo I am losing weight and am now trying to go full paleo. Might even try the autoimmune paleo plan to see if that is any better.
Denise says
I had my gall bladder removed Dec. 9, 2012 and my life has NEVER been the same. I have had chronic digestive issues, nausea, severe constipation, bleeding ulcers and unexplained weight loss (I have gone from 185 lbs to 105 lbs in three years) ever since. I cant digest more than ten grams of fat at one time without becoming violently ill. I never had any of these issues before my gall bladder suddenly just died. I ate what ever I wanted and had no issues. Now I also have a gluten (and possible a grain) and a lactose intolerance. I am looking into the paleo diet and researching ways to be able to eat this type of diet in a way that my body can handle the fat content. I havent been able to hold down a full time job in over three years and have only began to be able to work part time since July 2015. After reading some of the comments here I can see that I am definately not alone. I was told that my life would go back to “normal” after my gb removal and that I didnt need my gb anyway. That is BS. But my doctors all tell me they cant find anything really wrong with me or they just dont know what is wrong with me. I have made an appointment with a naturopath dr and hoping to get some help and answers.
KitchenKop says
Denise, I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through!!!! I’m thankful though that you have made that appointment, because that’s what I was going to suggest. And keep in mind that all docs are different (natural docs, conventional docs, whatever), so if you don’t find answers at the first one, keep trying. And if ever there’s anything I can help with, please let me know.
Kelly
Eugene Terry says
Hello Kelly my name is Terry I would like to know all the foods can I eat can I eat barbecue ribs barbecue chicken is that a low fat or a high-fat diet I have my gallbladder removed exactly 6 weeks ago I would appreciate any advice that you would give me thank you
KitchenKop says
Sorry Eugene, it’s been years since I looked into this so whatever is in this article is really all the help I have. Just be sure to check out all of the links and comments in the post and I think that’ll help you a lot.
Kelly
Bev says
Hiya all
Well I first found out I had 2 gallstones in August 2014 and was scheduled for surgery on the 17 October but had to be cancelled due to the gallbladder been inflamed too many times over a short period of time
Any how I’m actually having the operation on Friday 12 dec and after reading loads of information about surgery I’m quite scared now
So any advise would be so much appreciated x
Medardo says
Hi, Bev
I had my gallbladder removed May 2014 after 3 painful attacks December 2013, 2 days in a row. The second day, I was brought to the hospital emergency. These were the only attacks I ever had. My wife is not very happy to hear when I jokingly say that the pain is like child-birth pain; they are the worst pain I have ever experienced. I did a lot of research online and I was concerned because many who have had the surgery were talking about diarrhea, running to the bathroom in the middle of a meal, pain, etc.
My surgeon also mentioned that not going through with the surgery won’t solve the problem. I tried experimenting with cider vinegar to dissolve the stones but I stopped. I was warned that if I had an attack the surgery would be an emergency one and the incision would be one 5-inch cut and no possibility of 4 small ones.
The hospital where I had the surgery is a university (teaching) hospital and there are interns who have to be trained. I made sure that my surgeon was there. There was also a study (an experiment?) being done on mini laparoscopy which I agreed to. I have a tendency to have keloid scars so that was one big concern I had.
I almost canceled the surgery a few days before the scheduled date because I was worried. I am happy I had the surgery for the following reasons:
– the outcome is very much better than I anticipated
– recovery was fast
– with the mini laparoscopy I have 3 tiny scars plus 1 on my navel which is not visible vs one 5-inch scar
– I have been eating everything after my recovery – during the Christmas holiday, my wife prepared a lot of desserts, sweet, rich, etc. which I ate. I drink my usual 2 glasses of red wine a day. I have had no problems with oily food. I have been eating what I used to eat before the surgery. I do eat properly but I don’t deprive myself of something I want to eat because of concerns related to my gallbladder operation.
Other extra precautions I observed were:
– not driving until there was no more pain because putting car seat belts on would put pressure on the stitches
– I waited for at least 3 months before going back to my work outs/ exercises; longer than what my surgeon suggested
– I waited longer before taking a shower because I had another surgery many years ago and I took a bath as suggested and water went into the wound and I had infection. It is better to wash with warm towels.
– I am not sure if I can say this but intimacy with your partner should also wait to avoid putting pressure on your wounds which could cause scarring.
-If you have a partner, ask him or her to take good care of you. Do not force yourself into getting up to do things that your partner can do for you for a few days.
– Follow your surgeon’s instructions about walking around the house or apartment to help your blood circulation.
Note: One thing I noticed after my recovery is that after eating I have the urge to go to the bathroom. I can actually wait but the feeling is there. It is not like some who have to run to the bathroom in the middle of a meal. If I go to a restaurant, I can actually wait till I get home.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Ann says
Greetings, i am 21 yrs old and had my gall bladder remove 2 weeks ago. And i do agree with lots of you the pain was so sharp and I can’t sleep every night. The day before my surgery, i had a massive major pain and every hour The nurse gave me various of painkillers. I’m way too young to have this gallstone but My gene had a thalasamia and that is why at this early age I had the gallstone. Regarding my foods, my mom was so strict about my diet and everyday i will eat rice with chicken or fish soup or sometimes my mom grilled the chicken with no oil. I am an asian so yes we love rice. I’vr ate fish n chips just now and i dont have any problem after eating it. My doctor told me that i can eat anything but it all depends on our body system whether it can accept the food or not. It’s sad that i cant eat all those french fries and sometimes i cry at night craving for it.
Holly says
To Sally, I’d cut out the eggs, plus if you putting milk in their. mine wasn’t that bad, I think it needs to heal and adjust,
sally says
I had ny gallbladder taken out a week ago and came home and was doing real well for 3 days and then on the 4th day i had real bad cramps in my stomach and had a very runny BM stayed in the bathroom for 2hours. Since then i have been passing a lot of mucus and blood. called the doctor and he said it was normal and should pass in a couple of days. I have been eating very little like jello and drie toast and scrambled eggs. Everytime I eat I end up 20 min later in the bathroom. Even if i only have jello. Is this normal. Also what good is bile salt
Holly says
Well I’ve written on here about having my gallbladder out in September 2011, June 2014 I found out I have celiac disease. Think I’ve always had it but I think stomach issues started after having gallbladder out, but I’ve always been drowsy, half asleep. Now I’m in the healing process, 3 months gluten free and I can feel my insides feel better, still can’t have sweet stuff or any fruit but in all due time.
Crunchy4Life says
Your WAPF link no longer exists =( Where would I find this information?
KitchenKop says
I try to track it down for you and get back to you here. 🙂
Kel
KitchenKop says
OK the WAPF got back with me and I’ve updated the link in the post above. 🙂
Kelly
Erica says
I wanted to send an update. I saw an integrative medicine doctor & he said I have a parasite which would explain my digestive issues. I have responded well to treatment & it seems like I may not need the gallbladder surgery after all. I have eaten a hoagie, chick fila, etc. still mild ibs but no more stabbing pain.
Kathleen Dugger says
After dealing with horrible shoulder and back pain for 2 years I have finally had my gallbladder removed and the pain is gone, thank God! But, I had not been warned of what to eat or not eat and was violently ill after eating last week after the surgery.
It seems it affects everyone differently, as my husband never had any issues after his 10 years ago and controls it with a probiotic.
I attempted going to a fluid diet for a day or two and between the diarrhea and the debilitating headache that came on I realized that bouillon and some other fluids are loaded with sodium and was dehydrating me giving me a sort of “hang over” headache. Its been another few days now, I take a probiotic every day, and introduce new foods one at a time then wait and try something else. This is working very well, and I keep a food log of when I tried some of my favorite things so I can go back and try them again in a month or two. white or brown rice and skinless chicken, blueberries, raisin cinnamon toast, oatmeal are all working great and when i really need a treat I have a serving of chocolate pudding YES! since it is now just a week from the surgery date. I think everyone reacts differently and depending on how bad your body was feeling before the surgery and for how long you suffered the best thing is to go slow and give it time to heal. I am sure that all foods in moderation and with care can be eaten given enough time and in the right quantities. I am a smoker and it now makes me ill so I am going to pick up the patch tomorrow with my doctors approval and perhaps this will be a blessing for me since I have tried to quit for many years and failed. So if any of you are smokers be aware that it really takes a toll on your digestion and the less I smoke right now the more I seem to be able to eat. Its a great switch. Hope this is helpful to someone, thank you all for your comments, i don’t feel so alone : )
Heather Johnson says
I can’t believe all of these people saying they didn’t change their eating habits at all or that you don’t have to. I had my gallbladder taken out a week ago and I still can’t even eat toast without it running through me. I am praying it gets better 🙁 For now it’s juices, soups and broth.
KitchenKop says
Especially the soups and broth is a great plan since they’re loaded with nutrients!
Kel
Hanan says
Erica,
All I can do is address your digestive issues. This is what has helped me, I have added lacto-fermented vegetables (without whey, because different bacteria is used for milk and vegetables) to my diet. I have also added kefir and yogurt. I drink kefir daily and that has been my life saver. I used to be in so much pain that I would be on the floor bent over and just not sure what to do. I could not hold anything down and everything would come out of me within a couple of hours of eating it. When I was at work I would have to use the restroom every hour in between my Algebra classes.
I now have a normal life and am very happy. God bless you and I pray for you to find the answers that work for your body.
Hanan
God Bless you and I pray that all goes well with you,
Hanan
Erica says
I have been having digestive issues for over a year. I have also been diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia. It’s gotten to the point where the pain lasts for 2-3 weeks. I usually get 5 good days a month. Usually 15-20 days into my menstrual cycle. I was told my progesterone is low so take that day 15-25 & that seems to help. I don’t want to have surgery but feel that I am running out of options. Also, my bilirubin is high (Gilbert’s Disease) & had a metal filling removed & then a root canal when symptoms got bad. I found a naturopathic dentist & he said I need to have metal fillings removed ASAP & get root canaled tooth pulled because that tooth is in my stomach meridian. I’m not sure what to believe anymore. I just want to spend time with my family, take care of my kids & be withy friends & that is becoming difficult for me.
Aubrey says
I am going in for surgery to have my GB removed today. I just finished reading every single comment here! 🙂 thank you all for sharing, I’ve learned a great deal. I am sorry to read of so many with chronic health issues.
I’ve been diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia and been told it is caused by pregnancy hormones only. Doctors say diet has/had nothing to do with it. Does anyone out there have different opinions about this?
Thanks again
Aubrey
margaret says
concerned about weight gain since the gall bladder surgery several years ago.no problems with any foods at this point. can anyone help? very uncomfortable. tried dieting and exercise. feel free to email me.
Holly says
Not to cut into your conversation but we also get grass fed beef, but if I get a burger out I choose healthier versus greasy!
Who posted Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and what about it?
Brandi says
I had my gallbladder removed in 2010 on my Birthday no less. I haven’t had any problems digesting fats and such. In fact I have recently started eating a diet high in fat, moderate in protein and low in carbohydrates and I haven’t had any trouble. My fats come from grass fed beef, pasture(soy free) raised chicken eggs, Butter from grass fed cows, and raw extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil, also some cod liver oil(can’t afford the fermented kind yet). I hear that there are some good digestive enzymes out there if your liver hasn’t picked up the slack like mine. I firmly believe that had I not been doing low fat diets since my late teens that I wouldn’t have had gallbladder problems to begin with. Lol, kind of falls under the Use it or Lose it category.
Elizabeth C. says
I had my gallbladder out in emergency surgery on 9/11/01. I never had problems with it until that morning and I was told that it basically ruptured because it was so far gone.
I have never had problems with fats and eat a whole food, unprocessed vegetarian diet. Any kind of meat (chicken, broths, red meat etc) makes me very sick. I can eat fried food, butter etc but nothing made with animal flesh. No one can figure this out. I have tried enzymes, bile salts, herbs and other things recommended by doctors, naturopaths and herbalists to no avail.
Anyone else ever heard of this?
Brandi says
You may never see this, but is it possible you have troubles with what they are feeding the animal products you’ve tried. Have you tried grass fed and pasture raised varieties? Do you eat soy? If you don’t eat soy for obvious reason it can still find its way into the animals you’ve tried and therefor into you. Just a thought.
Elizabeth C. says
I signed up to see replies so I wouldn’t miss any help I could get. 🙂
I have recently (the last 3 or so years) tried grass fed, pastured, organic, soy free etc chicken. It’s still a no go. 🙁
I do not eat soy, not because I have a reaction so much as I prefer to avoid it. We feed our chickens a soy free corn free feed to minimize exposure to soy and GMOs.
Commenter via Facebook says
Also, if you eat coconut oil, you won’t sunburn anymore! This from a freckle queen!
Commenter via Facebook says
I know, they never told me anything! I still occasionally have bad fats (social events) but I rarely have any digestive issues now. I think if you do the 80/20 rule you can do OK.
Commenter via Facebook says
I mean enzymes in natural foods – anything that isn’t cooked will have them. A big one is raw milk! In order for enzymes, probiotics, yogurt, to work it has to be with each meal.
Holly says
Kind of funny. Because I didn’t realize I was over eating until a year I got my gallbladder out and actually cut out foods I cut out all dairy, unless occasional pizza, and breads. Notice now to much carbs and I can go right to sleep, my hormones went crazy, after surgery I could feel stuff move in my intestine, but I’ve learned to eat less, I’m slowly moving down in that 100 pounds of being overweight. Since before Christmas I’ve lost 10 pounds plus trying to hold another 3 pounds, so now just 97 pounds overweight and still trying to take this a day at a time. I think after surgery I made it seem like eating was everything, but of course it was for me, not feeling well! I’m debating if I need to check in with my GI doctor,it been almost a year since I saw him. This September will be three years for me since surgery. I have to remind myself to eat healthier. I’ve noticed eating different foods in a short period of time upset my stomach, spicy stuff etc. regarding the eggs that the woman wrote above, icky. I went back to eating them for breakfast beginning of this year and was not good for me!, of course everybody’s different. I’ve enjoyed a lot of fruit so far! Have a nice summer!
Brandi says
What kind of eggs were you eating? A lot of people who have issues with eggs, the issue is usually from the soy that the chickens are fed and egg whites which is the part that triggers allergic responses in people with egg allergies. The best type of eggs to have in your diet are pasture raised fed soy free eggs, they are a bit pricey but you could just eat them on special occasion.
Commenter via Facebook says
https://www.standardprocess.com/Products/Standard-Process/Cholacol
Commenter via Facebook says
I don’t like yogurt. I tried taking probiotics and they don’t help. I tried Enzymes once and they made me very sick. I know there are a lot of different types, so I am going to try a different one.
Commenter via Facebook says
What is Cholacol?
Hanan says
Hello Everyone,
I usually don’t do this. That is comment on blogs! However, I was reading some of your posts and I just happened to remember an article that I read from Dr. Howenstine, who claims that the majority of GB problems are in reality food allergies. The main culprit being eggs. I thought I would share the article that I read and see what others think about it. I am interested in all of this because my 27 year old daughter suffers from occasional attacks.
Here is the article: https://www.newswithviews.com/Howenstine/james19.htm
Thank you for all of your comments, I have learned a lot and I want to share this blog with my daughter.
Hanan
Commenter via Facebook says
Thank you Kelly for posting this.
Commenter via Facebook says
What is Cholacol?
Holly says
Did anybody respond back to what I asked earlier, I can’t tell whose responding to who, sorry.
Commenter via Facebook says
also, remove all bad fats from diet
Commenter via Facebook says
Need bile salts once the GB is removed — Dr’s never tell you this after a GB removal
Beta-Plus by Biotics is a good one
Terra says
Are there any side effects to taking bile salts?
Jacquelyn says
Terra – I, too, have nausea since my gallbladder removal over 2 years ago. It is worse when I eat normal portions. I have to eat tiny portions of food. If everyone is using a dinner plate, I’m using a saucer. It is very frustrating! I have not told my doctor because I really don’t want to go through all the tests. I am going to try some of these things that people have suggested. I just wanted to let you know, Terra, that you are not alone dealing with the nausea!
Terra says
Thank you very much, Jacquelyn. I do feel very alone sometimes. When I go searching for answers I always find that people have different problems such as diarrhea and I don’t have that issue at all. I always wonder, how many people have what I have. We must be like the 1% because everyone that I know, friends and family, that have had theirs removed have never had one issue and can eat anything they want and never feel bad. I just don’t get it. What is different about us that we have to feel this horrible nausea? Is yours 24/7 too? Mine has never ended since I got my gallbladder removed. Not one day, not one second for 3 years. It’s maddening. = (
Commenter via Facebook says
she needs some Cholacol from Standard Process for the rest of her life.
Holly says
To dawn turner, what is pmdd? A lot of what you posted sounds like my issues but doctor tells me I’m fine.
Brandi says
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Holly says
Is that what you got from getting you gallbladder out?
Commenter via Facebook says
perhaps digestive enzymes specifically for fats
Commenter via Facebook says
Coconut oil, ox bile and MCT oil
Commenter via Facebook says
Coconut oil is the Only fat that doesn’t need the gallbladder for digestion – it bypasses it!:) Might be the only fat she can tolerate.. the nausea’s from her body trying to digest the other fats.. not so successfully.. she should find a good ND for further info/advice.
Commenter via Facebook says
Everyone is different. I am one of the fortunate ones who can eat anything after gall bladder surgery. My advice would be to try one thing at a time and if it’s okay continue to eat it. If not, then don’t.
Commenter via Facebook says
I had my gall bladder out. The doctor never told me what the consequences would be. Makes it harder to digest fat and chocolate. She needs lots of enzymes in the diet, yogurts, raw foods, yogurt, kombucha, etc.
Hope says
Cholacol and A F betafood from standard process really help me. I enjoy coconut oil, butter, and small amounts of unfiltered olive oil without problems. Digestive troubles are rare for me except when I have too much starchy,sugary, fatty foods. Usually a severe headache comes before the upset stomach, followed by diarrhea, nausea, and sometime vomiting. I avoid most processed foods, grocery store meats, and ft food.
I also get regular chiropractic care and feel much better when I eat whole foods, less dairy, and less fried foods (cooked in corn, soybean, or vegetable oil).
Dawn Turner says
I was told (by my surgeon!) that within 6 months after my gall bladder removal I’d be able to eat anything I wanted. That was lie #1. Lie #2 ended up being the elimination of everything that’s supposedly bad for you will make the nausea and such go away. What I found that helps is DIGESTIVE ENZYMES. I haven’t really looked into the WHY of this – maybe bile contains enzymes that help with digestion and the lack of a gall bladder means I’m not getting enough of those in the limited bile when I eat? Who knows? I’m sure there’s an answer out there. I do limit the really fatty stuff (which requires more bile to digest), but otherwise I eat pretty much what I want these days. I use Ultra-Zyme, which includes cellulase and hemicellulase since my big problem is processing plant-based nutrients (I’ve had problems digesting those since a vaccine in 9th grade), but you could try a digestive enzyme that suits whatever food(s) you are actually having difficulty processing. Just make sure you use a good quality one. Like all the other supplements out there, they aren’t all created equal.
Kristie says
You might want to try the SCD intro diet. It’s free to download from their website. Good luck! What an awesome couple you are!!
Terra says
I have had nausea 24/7, every single day, for almost 3 years now. Imagine
feeling like you will vomit at any moment, never having one moment of relief.
It all started when I got gallstones. They found them in October of 2010. The
pain went away once they took out my gallbladder that same month, but the
nausea got worse. The doctors don’t understand it. I don’t have any problems
with my bowel movements like most post-op patients have after removing the
gallbladder. I have seen 9 different types of doctors at least.
IM’s, GI’s, Allergists, Acupuncturists, ENT, Chinese Herbalists, Neurologists, etc. I have done all kinds of scans, blood tests, medicines, food allergy tests, upper
endoscopy, CAT scan, MRI’s of my head and abdomen, tried going weeks without
diary or gluten, tried taking probiotics, tried taking digestive enzymes (those make it worse), etc. I mostly just eat chicken and the occasional shrimp. I try not to eat much red meat. I eat pretty healthy. I don’t eat fast food. I go out to eat at
restaurants maybe once or twice a week and all my other meals I cook at home.
I eat lots of veggies. I don’t have processed foods in my house. I don’t
drink soda. I am a pretty healthy person. But the nausea just seems to be
getting worse. For the past two weeks on top of it, I’ve been getting back
pain, some headaches, and occasional dizziness. My mother thinks I should see a nutritionist and just go a week or two eating nothing but the most plain food like chicken and rice sort of diet. No garlic, onions, spices, fats, oils, anything. If I end up feeling better, I should just start adding in one thing at a time and see how I feel. I love food so much… more than a normal person for sure so that just depresses the crap out of me to think about. I’m getting depressed in general because I don’t have any relief from this nausea. I just can’t take it anymore.
I’m desperate for some advice.
KitchenKop says
Wow, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been going through this for so long! I’m not sure if it will help, but I’ll try posting about your unexplained nausea on Facebook and see if anyone has ideas on what it could be. Watch for it on my page and I’ll link to this post so the comments will come through into these comments also. How sad that no doctor has been able to help you. Maybe some type of naturopath, homeopath could help?
Kelly
Dawn Turner says
Is it possible the surgeon did some sort of structural damage when he/she removed your gall bladder? I’ve seen cases like that – even had a friend’s husband die as a result of a sloppy gall bladder removal. This doesn’t sound like a truly digestive issue to me.
melanie beaumont says
Hi everyone! Just had my gall bladder out yesterday..bit sore & sorry for myself.. but feeling better allready.. so far. I have had two diff opinions re eating …Dr said low fat..surgeon said back to normal diet after one week of broths,clear juices, jellies, no fats and pro -biotics daily..
I have found this site very helpful today, reading all the different posts..and seems to me that each person is different and its a game of trial & error with foods to suit the individual. I certainly will try to find Ox Bile ” tho..sounds like that is mentioned a lot . Thanks for the info Kelly,v I have just joined your page on Facebook too 🙂
KitchenKop says
Wow, pretty scary when your two docs give such different advice… Doesn’t surprise me, though!
Looking forward to seeing you around Melanie and praying for a smooth recovery!
Kelly
Holly says
Mary, Thanks for posting that about bile salt diarrhea!
Mary Abbott says
Whoops – I forgot to put in the link. 🙁
https://www.gihealth.com/html/education/bilesaltDiarrhea.html
Mary Abbott says
Here’s an easy to read article on diarrhea after gallbladder removal. It suggests some other options beside the bile acid binding agents. I got constipated also on the Cholestyramine, and had to experiment with the dosage. I had the kind in a can with a scooper, so I was able to adjust it. I’m going to try some of the other options if it happens again…. and it probably will. It’s been coming back for years now.
Holly says
Regarding Mary’s post, I was on that too. But I found it to much, makes me to constipated.
Mary Abbott says
I was given Cholestyramine – a “bile acid binding agent” During the worst of my problems after the gall bladder removal. It’s been many years now and I still have problems sometimes and end up back on it for awhile until things stabilize.
Holly says
To Pam’s post, after having my gallbladder I noticed loose loose stools, went to doctor all the time, they told me I was depressed getting up at4:00, starting what is called as dumping. I would eat carrots and a few hours they’d be out. This is really no way to live. Sometimes I’d eat bread to block it. But after awhile a doc put me on amitripline which is used for ibs, intestinal issues, and helped with the constant moving of my intestinal nerves as they told me it was called. But I know other people that take it for ibs too. Not saying I have ibs. I’m on a low dose of the pill, Before surgery the doc said 1% of people that have their gallbladder out have diarrhea!
But Pam if it changed quickly did you ask doctor about other things?
Cassandra Marie says
I’m 23 years old and I recently found out that my gallbladder is functioning below 16%. I have surgery scheduled for june 11 (next tuesday) my gallbladder going bad at such an early age really scares me.. considering I already eat healthy so maybe this problem is heredity.. my mom had hers taken out at age 31. The pain comes and goes. It kind of radiates to my right shoulder blade then shoots back down into my gallbladder. Almost everytime I eat, I get sick. I don’t have much of an appetite and when I do, I’m afraid to eat unfortunately. what should I eat after surgery since im already eating healthy?
KitchenKop says
Hi Cassandra,
I pray you have an uneventful surgery day and that all goes well!
My only advice would be to read all the comments here and then go slow as you find what works for your own body. Also, finding a good naturopath to help you figure it all out might be a good idea, too?
Big hugs to you!
Kelly
Commenter via Facebook says
I’m glad you are looking into it. I had mine removed about 14 years ago and the doctor never mentioned that it might affect my digestion. Obviously, the gall bladder was there for a reason. Since I started eating healthier, meaning more probiotics and enzymes, my digestion improved.
Marilyn Moll says
What about taking digestive enzymes that target fats in particular?
Holly says
I heard that 1% of people get constant diarrhea.
P.s. not sure why my last post says Hollywood.
Commenter via Facebook says
I had my gallbladder removed 23 years ago. I’ve had zero problems. You should not be having these issues as a result of your surgery. Find a good GI surgeon and find out what went wrong.
Commenter via Facebook says
I would recommend that you seek out a good herbalist or acupuncturist in your area. They can usually make a lot more progress than a regular doctor.
Hollywood says
I agree with you totally agree, few months after my gallbladder surgery my hormones went crazy and emotions etc. doc told me I was depressed never asked about menses, those emotions came out when I had my menses only. I think people need to consider that it effects your whole body. I’m finally feeling better, getting more energy as I cut out foods that make me feel icky. But then I think back to when I had a gallbladder attack for 7-months and told me that I was fine but depressed because I couldn’t eat and sleep. Hope everybody has a nice happy healthy summer!
Dawn Turner says
Having my gall bladder removed sent my hormones haywire. After a good deal of research and reaching an understanding of how the liver affects hormone levels, I understood why. I have to do liver cleanses at least once a year to help keep my hormone levels on track, otherwise PMDD gets BAD, particularly now that I’ve gone into menopause.
The gall bladder having these types of issues is a warning sign that the liver isn’t working properly. Call it a cry for help. None of the organs in our body work alone. It’s a giant synergistic system, and when part of it gets sick, there’s a reason. When part of it is removed, it has repercussions. I wish I’d known back before my gall bladder was removed what I’ve learned since then. I’d have been able to save my gall bladder, help my body get back into proper balance, and not had to deal with chronic imbalances for the rest of my life.
Commenter via Facebook says
My daughter just had her gallbladder removed last Wednesday. She had it done robotically through her bellybutton only. She is doing fine. She can eat almost anything she wants, she could hardly eat anything at all before. She had gallstones for about a year.
Commenter via Facebook says
I just posted quite a long comment on the blog!
Robyn says
I was so sick after gallbladder removal I literally wanted to die. Mine went on for about 6 weeks before I finally started getting better. I was not anesthetised correctly so that’s why it took so long – I couldn’t get it out of my system. Anesthesia will slow down your healing & make it harder for your body to adjust to not having a gallbladder. Even if you think that’s not part of the problem, it might be. I would recommend acupuncture for the pain & sickness, & for clearing your liver. I have tried digestive enzymes & they make my stomach hurt worse. I take Standard Process Cholacol. It is a very pure form of ox bile without additional fillers or enzymes, & it works better than anything. You can only get it through a naturopath. I am on a VERY tight budget & I do not find it cost prohibitive. And it’s a very high quality product. Now is not the time to be doing the Eat Fat Lose Fat thing. You want to give your body a rest from digesting any extra fats, including coconut oil. Don’t restrict it unnecessarily though. I felt best when I was eating things like yogurt, cheese, eggs, kefir, kombucha, puddings, things like that. Remember that your WHOLE system is thrown out of whack by removing an organ! This includes your hormones & can make it even harder for you to deal with emotionally when you feel so lousy. So be kind to your body. I also did 3 – 4 foot baths everyday, rotating between using Epsom salts, baking soda, & cider vinegar. It’s very soothing. OH & don’t eat applesauce or juice or apples right now! The malic acid is very irritating to your healing bile duct! I learned that the hard way. If I had known all of these things I think I would not have been sick for so long. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to ask anything. I’m not very good at remembering to check back on things like this. [email protected]
Commenter via Facebook says
I heard that digestive enzymes help some people. You can read reviews for different products at Amazon.com. They do help my husband ward off gout :). Doesn’t lower his blood uric acid levels but as long as he’s been taking the digestive enzyme he hasn’t had an episode of gout….with the exception of when his doctor prescribed niacin. Once he stopped the niacin no gout again. 🙂 Anyway, I read through reviews and found that many people have had good luck taking them after having their gall bladders out. Good Luck to You :).
Tresa says
I am 2 weeks post op from having my gallbladder removed. I was rushed to the hospital 1 week after surgery because my tongue was numb and my right leg. I spent a total of 13 days in the WORST episode of “House” you could imagine. I don’t know what to eat and I don’t feel well! My right side still has tremendous pain after I eat. I just purchased the book ” Eat Fat Lose Fat” as recommended above. What’s the dosage of “ox bile” should I take because I will be ordering that too.
I want my life back…
Holly says
Took me a year and a half and I’m starting to feel better, but I’m on a pill to help with issues.
Was wondering Amy, how you feeling?
j foster says
Had my gallblader removed Its the worst thing ever the pain is sick feel so poorly All the .
Amy says
Geat website. I had my gallbladder out day before Easter 2013 and was told I could go back to regular diet. I was careful what I ate and was still in severe pain almost a week later I called my doctors office and they told me I should start to feel better soon. Now almost 2 weeks later I’m glad I see my doctor tomorrow cause I can’t eat and I can’t take the pain any more. I think something else could be wrong the pain is worse then when I went to the ER. It hurts to move or walk.
Holly Cramer says
Wish you well at the doctor tomorrow!
Cindi says
Hello all
I had my gallbaldder out last friday. I can say that I feel so much better, even with the post-surgery pain. I have kept my diet pretty simple thus far…oatmeal with chia, high fiber toast, broth, and fruit. My digestive system is still trying to recalibrate itself, that I know – so I anticipated results of bile mixing directly into my system. I appreciate the suggestions, especially bile salts. Will absolutely be taking pro-biotics.
Thanks
Jess says
Thank you Holly. Yesterday I had a sort of trial and error day which was OK. I haven’t braved cheese but I’m dreaming about the stuff so I think I’ll have to try a low fat cream cheese first and then work up to real low fat cheese. My boyfriend keeps sneaking me the odd square of chocolate because he’s a very, “if it goes wrong then stop”, person so I may have to go by this, and your, advice and just eat the things I love until it or if it does.
This has been really helpful 🙂
Holly Cramer says
Regarding 8-days ago surgery you can try whatever you want to try. I myself found it easier to cut out yogurt, milk, spaghetti/red sauces, sweet sodas I do eat cheese in moderation, but I’m overweight. After surgery I was tired a lot like my digestive system changed. Now I feel if I eat less I have more energy. I have cut out most bread unless before bedtime because of that. But you can try and if doesn’t agree with you then don’t eat it, but yes I wouldn’t start by eating fatty foods. Check fat content on item! In the beginning I tried eggs and had diarrhea the same day and now I eat 3-eggs a day for breakfast. My problem is my sweet tooth! Forgot to say I’m also on something that they use for ibs and it helps everything stay in but after a year they gave me something. Hope this helps!
Have a nice weekend!
Jess says
Hi Kelly, can I just say this blog has been a life saver. I’m 23 and had my gallbladder removed 8 days ago. I’ve also been scared to eat too much food but still have tiny amounts of milk on my cereal, have scrambled egg in small amounts and had my first slice of brown bread yesterday! I’m a little worried that I’m setting myself up for a fall keeping milk and eggs in my diet though. I’ve read a lot of things about eating no fat for up to 4 weeks after surgery but I’m quite small at 50kg and dont really want to cut fat out completely. I’ve been eating well balanced meals, lots of fruit and probiotic yogurt, high fibre cereal and even had a cheeky square of chocolate. Should I just carry on with what I’m doing or is 8 days too soon to be experimenting?
KitchenKop says
Hi Jess,
Sorry, but I’m no expert on this topic, all I know is what people have written in to share about their own experience. Have you read all the comments above?
Kel
Jess says
I’ve had a good read through them but they’re mostly people 1 or 2 years on from surgery. Thank you though. I’ll keep searching 🙂
José Gómez says
Hi Jess, My gallbladder Was removed 10 days algo and The First thing I asked to doctos Was if I could eat normally, she say whatever You want. Two days ago i ate pizza and today i had a chocolate bar. So far nothing wrong with This, so eat whatever You want, if don’t tolerate IT, cut IT out.
KitchenKop says
I feel so bad for all of you who are unable to eat healthy fats. I hope you’re eating plenty of homemade bone broth and coconut oil (if you tolerate that OK) in order to get those necessary nutrients in you as Elizabeth suggested above – good advice!
Kelly
Holly says
Forgot to write I had a gallbladder attack for 7-months before they took it out. I was in pain crying, couldn’t sleep, ran all the test, they told me I had ibs, and was depressed. Once they were in their they say it was infected and inflamed, I call it my year of being sick with 5-kids and doctors told me to o to other doctors. Wish you all a happy thanksgiving with your family! I found a great low fat pumpkin pie recipe! In the cooking for dummies low-fat version!
Holly says
It has been a year since I had mine out September 19, 2011 and I haved gained 10 pounds and now started to loose what I gained as I learned what not to eat, I have started taking acid medicine too, didn’t before but I have cut out all greasy food, red spaghetti sauce, fatty stuff, greasy fatty meats etc. I have also have had to start taking iron to replace red meat. Doc also put me on amitripline to keep everything in me, they say 1 percent get diarrhea. When I drink a lot of water which I do, it comes out. I like the response above about irritating the colon. If I eat the wrong thing my stomach feels yucky, like your going to have diarrhea feeling. But it makes it difficult to make supper sometimes with 5-children I am making a few if different meals. I didn’t realize how much I was eating until I had to cut it out. My worst time is during menses time, I crave fatty sweets and haven’t found something to eat during that time, I usually o up in weight and start over again when it’s over. Any ideas on that? I have changed from fatty snacks to bananas and apples, or granola bars in my trunk, not fiber ones but regular ones! Or even potatoes make to tired, and it out milk, yogurt was to much for me to take, I notice when I have soda is when I’m gassy and that isn’t often which is good!
karen says
am having my gallbladder out nov 8-had a subtoatl colectomy last november-dont know what to expect or whaht to eat after
karen says
i am having my gallbladder out nov 8-had a subtoatl colectomy last november-dont know what to expect or whaht to eat after
Jonele Hinton says
Hello everyone,
I just had my gallbladder removed a week ago. I was experiencing a gallstone attack and drove myself to the ER thinking I would just get some pain meds. Well the doctor told me that I needed to be rushed to emergency surgery to get my gallbladder removed. I was petrified! Stayed in the hospital a couple of days and when I was being released, my discharge papers stated that I go back on my regular diet, but my nurse said to go on a low fat diet. After being home all I’ve eaten is chicken broth, chicken noodle soup and water. I’m afraid to try anything else really. My mother did make me a boneless chicken breast on the George Forman grill with mashed potatoes. It seemed to do well, but my stomach tightened up with a few minor cramps. As if I was experiencing Braxton Hicks. I’ve read all of the other posts and they’ve really been helpful. So my question is, is the Ox bile something that is needed? From the looks of it, it is.
Diana says
Hello Everyone, I just had my Gallbladder removed last Saturday. I was given two different instructions on eating. The surgeon told me to eat anything I wanted and the discharging nurse told me to eat low fat, with lots of water throughout my day. I’m now a day short of a week, since my gallbladder removal…only eating once a day, usually some type of soup broth. I’m terrified to eat, stomach is still bloaty and crampy. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Heather Vickers says
Everyone has such a terrific story and I am so sorry for those who are suffering. I am 41 years old and have been throwing up after all of my meals since last year. I am not on Phenagren to stop the vomiting- I have one gallstone and no pain no attacks but my gastroenterologist suggested I have my gallbladder out to stop the vomiting after each meal. I have a horrible diet and eat alot of fast food and ice cream and soda. I will go on a low fat diet after my surgery and will see what happens-I am hoping to eat heathier and lose some much needed weight. I will let you guys know who my surgery went. Thank you all for your stories!
Holly says
I had my gallbladder out in September of 2011, and seem to be finding when I drink lots of water I get the runs. I’m on 2 iron pills since surgery, vitamin d, amitripline to sleep, allergy spray and pills. But Wednesday night had pizza hut pizza 4 slices and still have the runs- hoping for them to end with some powerade, water makes it worse. I normally drink coke or powerade to keep it in. Doctor told me I have bile salt diarrhea? Still have to look that up and see what is, but anybody have any tips?
Erica W says
I read somewhere else online that once the gallbladder is removed, the bile becomes a constant drip instead of being batch-released just at mealtimes. Over time it can irritate the intestines. Once irritable, intestines can also be sensitive to certain foods, commonly including wheat, dairy, and some types of spices. So if your intestines have become irritable, you might see someone about setting up a temporary special diet that will help them recover. Pizza is one of those foods that can be very hard on an irritable gut.
I have not heard anything about water making it worse, however.
It could be that you have both diarrhea and dehydration. Even if the water you drink comes right back out, it’s important to stay hydrated as otherwise the problems can get very much worse. My sister worked with peace corps in Africa, and they saw some mothers who accidentally killed their babies by taking away fluids to “stop” diarrhea. So if powerade works, keep drinking it, or other diluted clear fluids like clear broth or diluted fruit juices.
Best wishes in your search for clues, and for a complete recovery of your health.
Holly says
I heard amitripline is good for Ibsen at night, and have her take the good bacteria pills throughout the day
wendy says
I had my gallbladder removed 7 years ago and was fine after the op . but months later > i started to blow up round the middle of my tummy after eating anything with fat in it , things like pies and pastry are typical of a very bad bout of discomfort. seems like my safe foods consists of brown rice and pasta ,also chicken and salads are safe with me ,
Christine says
I’m`sorry`my`space`bar`does`not`work`however`had`emergency`gallbladder`removal`next`day`due`to`17`vomits.`I’m`home`and`went`to`the`store`and`bought`64.00`dollars`worth`of`low`or`light`foods`to`help`me`through`this`first`week`without`my`gallbladder…Keep`in`mind`I`have`heartburn,`acid`reflux,`and`ulcers`which`I`have`had`for`years`and`no`more`heartburn`and`eating`so`carefully.`I`want`a`Italian`cold`cut`now`without`the`oil,`heavy,“heavy`on`mayo`and`onions`just`cold`cut`with`oregano…I`love`butter`and`mayo…When`can`I`eat`foods`which`I`plan`to`cut`back`alot`on`butter`and`mayo`and`cheese.`I’m`surprised`I`like`the`no`fat`milk`not`bad`tasting…Thank`you
Rhonda Holt says
Thanks Kelly, This site is such a blessing to go to… Your are such an amazing person to put such a site filled with love compassion and understanding.. I I very blessed to be a part of..(God sure does wok in mysterious ways! }i{ugs
KitchenKop says
Yes He sure does! I’m so thankful for you and all of my amazing readers. 🙂
Kel
Rhonda Holt says
Hi Kelly, want to thank you and others for your wonderful words of wisdom and for being so compassionate..I do eat very Kosher and certified organic.. I have a rare illness called Hemorrhagic IC bladder disease and after this my gall-bladder went down and they took it out.. I used to have stones but went holistic and the Doc still removed it under false malpractice circumstances..I still to this day after the removal in 2003 am very sick and never have been the same..I hope this brings some hope to some of you! I take a wonderful supplement called (SOLARAY~ SUPER-DIGESTAWAY) which has PANCREATIN, PORCINE BILE EXTRACT, PAPAIN, PEPPERMINT, GINGERROOT, PAPAYA, PEPCIN, BETAINE, BROMELAIN, AND ALOE VERA GEL..
I could not eat if it was not for this wonderful supplement and was 100LBS for many years from being so sick, this helped me bring my life back and even though i still suffer at least i can eat and i take one of these with everything I eat or drink and its been a miracle of hope for me.. Since the removal in 2003 my Bladder and kidneys have became so bad that I have no more immune system and live with a bladder infection and stomach virus symptoms every day.. I feel for anyone that has went thru troubled times upon the removal of your gall-bladder..I feel at peace knowing there is somewhere to go go and read about others who share and are compassionate about the same things i go thru.. I am complete vegetarian almost vegan now and do survive on DR OZ recommendations for certain kosher diet.. I can not have no dairy but Yogurt and have chronic issues with intestinal yeast..All of this came about after the removal of my gall bladder and I tried to take this to court for Mal-pratcice and they did nothing for me, saying my records had been misplaced… Its so sad what happens to the nicest most humble people.. I am sorry if any of you have had to suffer the same and would love to hear more advice and stories about what you had to go thru and what has helped you to live some quality of life… }iPugs Rhonda
Kelly says
Hi Rhonda,
What a heartbreaking story! Thanks for sharing, and maybe someone out there can relate and knows of some ways to help you.
Blessings to you!
Kelly
kelly says
Hi Rhonda,
I have had a very similar experience with the gall bladder and bladder symptoms-how are you doing now? Are you still taking the Solaray enzyme? Is there anything else that has helped you? Any experience with Ursodiol or Lecithin supplements?
Thx,
Kelly
Mary Abbott says
Your liver still makes bile, and some fats will stimulate it to release more than you need … hence 20% of the people that have had their gall bladder removed will get chronic diarrhea. The good news is that 80% won’t! I think they (doctors) tell you about extreme low fat for the sake of the 20%. Lucky me, I was one of the 20% and suffered for it for quite awhile. I went low fat (not extreme) for a few months and helped my gut heal with probiotic supplements. All that diarrhea was flushing out the good bacteria, so I had to stop that. When I cook I only use good fats, and if I stay away from the fast food places I rarely have a problem anymore.
Commenter via Facebook says
You’re all so smart, thanks for sharing your wisdom with us, I’m so thankful for you! 🙂
Commenter via Facebook says
She needs to supplement with ox bile for sure. Also she should use coconut oil because it is a medium chain fatty acid and doesn’t need to be emulsified by the bile to enter the lymph nodes. It goes straight to the portal vein to the liver, read for the body to use! Beets are another good food for people with gal bladder issues.
Commenter via Facebook says
I agree that ox bile is necessary immediately.
Commenter via Facebook says
Supplementing with some sort of bile would definitely help. I don’t know why it would have taken a year before she started having issues though.
Commenter via Facebook says
ox bile!
Commenter via Facebook says
That is quite common. Gallbladder surgery is not always necessary and many continue to have problems after surgery. I suggest taking digestive enzymes. I still have mine and find it helpful to take them. Removal makes almost necessary. Following a gallbladder diet may also be necessary, but try the enzymes first.
jacqui says
Hi i had my gallbladder out 1 year ago precicely and have only just starting having adverse effects of eating rich creamy foods etc, why is this happening after a whole year of nothing???????????
Erica W says
Clearly, their problem in the stone age was they didn’t have indoor bathrooms.
I have little patience for a surgeon who wants to remove things he doesn’t understand, or who doesn’t seem to be listening when discussing likely outcomes.
My great-grandmother had a dentist who told her all her teeth were infected and needed to be removed… did the entire lower jaw one week and when she came back for the uppers, it turned out he had made the same ‘diagnosis’ for all of his patients that week, and had therefore been retired from practice due to a nervous breakdown. Makes me quite wary if I notice signs of my own dentist or doctor not paying close attention, or brushing off questions. I’d much rather hear an honest “I don’t know” than a cavalier “it doesn’t matter.”
Not to accuse your doctors of anything – they probably only see gallstones during removal surgeries. If the gall bladder was 95% full of gallstones they may in fact have done you a favor by eliminating a few painful episodes and another future surgery.
Some of the few remaining “stone age” peoples live in extreme environments (because people with guns and fences occupy the bountiful valleys). The Inuit and Masai eat a lot of meat and fat (because few human-edible plants grow there), and they do have problems with heart disease and atherosclerosis. They probably do need their gallbladders a lot more than we do.
I’m mostly trying to cheer you up. I’m here looking for answers too, on behalf of a friend with severe digestive issues, whose gallbladder was removed, and who I’m going to ask about the same list of things you mentioned.
Probiotics did apparently help; she just doesn’t like the taste of yogurt, so she’s on-again off-again with those.
The onset of the diarrhea reminds me other friends and relations who suffer from irritable bowels / IBS. Either chronically, or temporarily as a result of an event (in one case, the gut got cranky following repeated rounds with antibiotics to treat respiratory and ear infections).
Consider seeing a dietician, or a nutrition specialist, or a holistic medical professional such as a naturopath. Most MD doctors have little, if any, nutrition training; it’s not required for their degree or license, and the treatment of these types of conditions is also advancing rapidly so a specialist will be more up-to-date on what works.
I have heard of people soothing the irritable bowels with a strictly limited diet, then later being able to slowly build back up to include more variety. The specifics of the bland diet should probably be run by a specialist – one friend had to eat foods without much particulate (plain or honey yogurt, Jell-o, broth without chunks); but others have to limit specific irritants like wheat or dairy. You have probably found some ideas already that are as good or better than mine. Hope you are able to find relief.
Would love to hear any further comments on how you overcame this particular situation, as it may be relevant to my friends. We definitely know the urgency of finding something that works without exacerbating the weight-loss countdown.
Erica W says
sorry, the system posted the same comment that I made to someone else.
The body is not an electronics board with simple on-off switches. It buffers and accomodates changes as much as it can.
Effects of a change can be gradual. Like you are not getting as many fat-soluble vitamins, but you might not notice any effects right away depending on your diet, the timing of your meals and snacks, and whether you were already vitamin-rich or deficient before the change in uptake.
Also, your gut may be reacting to a now-continuous drip of bile instead of the batches that used to be released only with food. From what I’ve learned, irritable bowel symptoms often develop over time, with constant irritation, not right away. Like how a runny nose can develop into a sore throat, because of that ongoing irritation.
The body does its best to accomodate changes, but if things are too much, it needs some help and consideration to stay healthy. The fact that you haven’t had any symptoms up to now seems encouraging; you might be able to use the advice of other folks here to avoid some of the worst-case experiences they describe.
Please take other peoples’ advice, as I’m just repeating what I’ve read online.
Rhonda Holt says
Wow so amazed on all the stories like my self who had my gall-bladder out! I had a post up bile leak and was emergency rushed to the hospital.. The sad thing is my gallbladder never had to be removed and the doctor took it out from my descriptions of belly pain, after the surgery he came out saying she had no gall stones maybe a few but her gall bladder was just alittle inflamed, So why did he take it out i will never know and later found out he went off of a 2 year old ultra sound where i had a few more gall stones and I had them under control with my own diet.. He promised to do ultrasound (Never Did)A few nights after the sugery I had a horrible post op and was so sick the hospital found a bile leak and told me i had to rush back to my original doctor and if i did not get there i would die.. Then when i was in the hospital so very sick the doctor refused to admit there was any wrong even after going to another hospital and them finding a bile leak.. Then he gave me 2 options, take a huge needle and pull fluid out of my tummy, or endoscopy! I was terrified and said i would have the endoscopy. Well I was wheeled in there and given a drug called vercette..I was told i would not remember anything and nor feel a thing.. OH MY NIGHTMARE HAPPENED! I felt that tube go in my throat I was told to swallow it and they mover it down and I was crying and could not move..the doctor noticed my eye movement and told them to up the vercette.. Ok great job doc!! Now I quit breathing for about 5 minutes.. They brought it back down and preceding with the tube and feeling everything i was crying again.. He again had them up the vercette, Well I quit breathing again.. And this whole routine went on about 5 times and the last I remember is Them telling me to breath and flipped me to my side and I threw up!! They had to get the supervisor in there to help me and when I was recouping the Doctor walked over to me with tears in his eyes and said “You are such a trooper, I dont know anyone in my right mind who could of survived that” He went on to find my husband and told him he had to up the vercette there was complications and admitted to my husband he gave me enough vercette that would of killed him and the doctor both..Way to go Doc! I was back to my room and wanted out of the hospital and they wanted me to do another endoscopy with the supervisor.. Well We had enough and the main Doctor who took out my gallbladder kept saying he sees nothing wrong with me.. Well Here I am today and I am a total mess.. I can not eat gluten nor dairy..No sugar and after all this i have diabetes2 no insulin and I have neurological problems that mimic MS.. My neuro Doc said “what they did to your breathing probably caused some brain damage and to the part of the brain that MS usually hits.. I tried a law suit after because I was not getting well could only eat GF whole grain rice, eggs, almond milk or almomds..Nothing that causes any kind of yeast because i have it so bad in my intestines after all the surgery and crap that happened they tried so many antibiotics to get me well, I now live with intestinal yeast in my blood stream as well and am on yeast treatments for life.. Can only eat a few foods.. My tummy swells now to where i look % vmonths pregnant and i was a pilates instructor level and I am still very sick.. I lost the lawsuit due to all my records at the hospital ended up missing and could not be found.. I live with a flu like feeling and can not digest well.. I feel for any of you that went thru this and had to suffer as i did..I pray you have a happy life and you are making thru after such a terrible ordeal..I eat what i can being all gluten free and no sugar or processed foods..Brown rice, corn tortillas and eggs with lots of yogurt hi in live cultures is all i can eat.. I drink whole greens because veges gas and bloat me and i can not digest food very well.. I live with a boated belly that is up and down and never normalizes..My life is ruined and i am getting sicker with time and there is nothing I can do..I seriously pray for anyone who has suffered a bad gallbladder surgery and hope your life is going well and you are healthy…I wanted to share this with the many other after math gall bladder sufferers…
KitchenKop says
Rhonda, I am SO sorry to hear about all you have been through!!!!!!
At this point, have you thought of getting with a good naturopathic doc or holistic chiropractor so you can get back to good health??? I hope you’ll consider it. Hugs to you!
Kelly
KAY says
Hi Rhonda , so sorry to hear you had such a bad exprence.I just had my galbladder removed wed june 27 12. I’M doing great . I,m praying you wiii get better.
Commenter via Facebook says
what she said ^^^ thanks for posting this Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Commenter via Facebook says
I have major issues since my surgery
Commenter via Facebook says
April, what did I miss?
Commenter via Facebook says
thnx
Commenter via Facebook says
Andrea Johnson this might help you!
Commenter via Facebook says
(Continued…) “I am a brittle Type I diabetic. I have been on the insulin pump for over 15 years. I was on a pancreas-alone transplant list until I hit 60 years old. I’ve always been productive and employed. Three months ago I had a necrotic gallbladder removed so I have a 15 inch incision (because they weren’t sure what was wrong)…I nearly died in the operation; at least that is what the surgeon told me. This is my life today: I can hardly get out of bed and can’t eat more than 2 cans of soup a day and 2 sandwiches. I have lost 25 pounds and continue to lose weight. I’ve been to four surgeons, one told me this may be the way it is the rest of my life. I just don’t understand how such a benign operation can cause so much damage. Has anybody with my kind of history took longer to mend, lost weight, lost energy, etc. and not been able to eat solid foods for such a long period of time?”
Wendy says
Thank you for this blog.. I thought I was all alone on this subject and quite honestly thought I was going crazy.. and I’m sure my doc thinks I’m a Hypochondriac. I had my gall bladder removed about 18 months ago.. things seemed to go well and I was able to eat just about everything. Then about 4 months ago, I started getting this feeling of a band around my mid section.. encircling with a lot of discomfort in the back area and just under the lower part of my rib cage.. like there was a fist balled up there, very uncomfortable to sit and always standing sucks too. I have had many blood tests as well as a CT Scan.. all coming back in a positive way. I had been on a low-fat diet for quite a while and weight, cholesterol and triglycerides have all gone up (ARRRR) I changed to low-carbs recently and the ‘banding’ increased as did the sudden urge to make a run to the bathroom.. so now I’m totally confused as to what I should and shouldn’t be eating.. I’m afraid to eat out or at a function not knowing what the heck is going to happen. One thing for sure is chili is definitely out of the question.. LOL.. learned that the hard way.. 🙁
Any advise, suggestions as to where to ‘restart’ my intake of food would be greatly appreciated.
Pam says
I too had my gall bladder removed almost 2 years ago and was told by the doctor that I could resume eating as I normally did. BTW, I was in the hospital for a completely different reason and after extensive tests, was told that my GB was working at 5% so it should be removed. So they took it out. Was then told the GB is a ‘stone age organ’ and I’d never miss it. Apparently, not so. For the first 1-1/2 year, the only different thing I experienced was a softer than normal stool, with occasional diarhhea. About 3-4 months ago, I started with severe gas. About a month ago, daily and immediate diarhhea started. I mean several times a day. It doesn’t seem to matter what I eat. In reading about all this, several things are suggested for this: Bile Acid supplements; pro-biotics; Bile Salts; Super Enzymes; Digestive Bitters; Ox Bile. If anyone can comment on these, please! It’s getting complicated being in the bathroom every hour. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Erica W says
Clearly, their problem in the stone age was they didn’t have indoor bathrooms.
I have little patience for a surgeon who wants to remove things he doesn’t understand, or who doesn’t seem to be listening when discussing likely outcomes.
My great-grandmother had a dentist who told her all her teeth were infected and needed to be removed… did the entire lower jaw one week and when she came back for the uppers, it turned out he had made the same ‘diagnosis’ for all of his patients that week, and had therefore been retired from practice due to a nervous breakdown. Makes me quite wary if I notice signs of my own dentist or doctor not paying close attention, or brushing off questions. I’d much rather hear an honest “I don’t know” than a cavalier “it doesn’t matter.”
Not to accuse your doctors of anything – they probably only see gallstones during removal surgeries. If the gall bladder was 95% full of gallstones they may in fact have done you a favor by eliminating a few painful episodes and another future surgery.
Some of the few remaining “stone age” peoples live in extreme environments (because people with guns and fences occupy the bountiful valleys). The Inuit and Masai eat a lot of meat and fat (because few human-edible plants grow there), and they do have problems with heart disease and atherosclerosis. They probably do need their gallbladders a lot more than we do.
I’m mostly trying to cheer you up. I’m here looking for answers too, on behalf of a friend with severe digestive issues, whose gallbladder was removed, and who I’m going to ask about the same list of things you mentioned.
Probiotics did apparently help; she just doesn’t like the taste of yogurt, so she’s on-again off-again with those.
The onset of the diarrhea reminds me other friends and relations who suffer from irritable bowels / IBS. Either chronically, or temporarily as a result of an event (in one case, the gut got cranky following repeated rounds with antibiotics to treat respiratory and ear infections).
Consider seeing a dietician, or a nutrition specialist, or a holistic medical professional such as a naturopath. Most MD doctors have little, if any, nutrition training; it’s not required for their degree or license, and the treatment of these types of conditions is also advancing rapidly so a specialist will be more up-to-date on what works.
I have heard of people soothing the irritable bowels with a strictly limited diet, then later being able to slowly build back up to include more variety. The specifics of the bland diet should probably be run by a specialist – one friend had to eat foods without much particulate (plain or honey yogurt, Jell-o, broth without chunks); but others have to limit specific irritants like wheat or dairy. You have probably found some ideas already that are as good or better than mine. Hope you are able to find relief.
Would love to hear any further comments on how you overcame this particular situation, as it may be relevant to my friends. We definitely know the urgency of finding something that works without exacerbating the weight-loss countdown.
Pamela says
Hello,
I had my gallbladder out in 2004. I did well the first few months after the surgery but since then I have had extreme issues with eating a lot of foods. I get gas, I feel I have many bowel movements a day and it seems that it happens with mostly fiber type of foods. I cannot eat nuts, certain fruits such as apples, grapes, vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, no oatmeal, grain types of cereals, I am lactose intolerant also. I feel sometimes like not eating at all. I do well with rice and pasta but they are full of carbs. I enjoyed reading some of the comments here and I just want to say thank you to all of you for giving me some hope with some of the things to take with my problems.
Willis says
I am a brittle Type I diabetic. I have been on the insulin pump for over 15 years. I was on a pancreas-alone transplant list until I hit 60 years old. I’ve always been productive and employed. Three months ago I had a necrotic gallbladder removed so I have a 15 inch incision (because they weren’t sure what was wrong)…I nearly died in the operation; at least that is what the surgeon told me. This is my life today: I can hardly get out of bed and can’t eat more than 2 cans of soup a day and 2 sandwiches. I have lost 25 pounds and continue to lose weight. I’ve been to four surgeons, one told me this may be the way it is the rest of my life. I just don’t understand how such a benign operation can cause so much damage. Has anybody with my kind of history took longer to mend, lost weight, lost energy, etc. and not been able to eat solid foods for such a long period of time?
Amy says
I had my gallbladder out day before easter and was told I could go back to regular diet. I was careful what I ate still in severe pain almost a week later I called my doctors office and they told me I should start thinking feel better soon. Now almost 2 weeks later I’m glad I see my doctor tomorrow cause I can’t eat and I can’t take the pain any more. I think something else is wrong
KitchenKop says
I’m glad you’re going in, let us know what you find out and I’ll say a prayer you’re better soon!
Kelly
Erica W says
A friend of mine also has chronic digestive problems and severe weight loss.
Her gallbladder was infected; she described it as “turned all black” and “removed in pieces.” Sounds like it could have been necrotic like yours; unless her surgeon showed her black gallstones and gave her the impression they were parts of her gallbladder. She’s not sure if she still has bile ducts even.
Anyway, I’m looking for diet ideas to support her regaining weight. She can do seated activities, a little cooking and walking, but does not have a lot of energy or resilience. She’s currently using “instant breakfast” or protein shakes as her supplement for weight gain, which seems roughly the opposite of the approach I would take (I prefer whole foods). But she’s the one inside her body. All I can do is find out what she enjoys or tolerates, then bring her ‘treats’ that seem good to both of us.
It sounds like you may be asking surgeons for advice that a diabetes, metabolic, or nutrition specialist might be more help with. The surgeons who did your surgery can tell you details, like any symptoms or secondary damage they might have noticed, or specifically what problems occurred during surgery. That’s useful for other specialists to adjust their diagnosis / advice.
However, don’t count on surgeons for diet or nutrition info. Nutrition training is not required for most doctors. For help with food and metabolism, I would look for a good dietician. Or try a qualified medical doctor whose training was in one of the more holistic medical fields like a naturopath or osteopath.
Keeping your body working sounds like it takes a lot of attention and discipline, and it can’t be easy. In this transition and recovery period, you definitely deserve some good help to figure out a new, workable set of tools and routines for you as soon as possible. Best wishes – please, please post again if you find out anything that helps.
Yours,
Erica W
Jaimee says
I had my gallbladder out at 23 then one of my daughter’s had her’s our at 16. She was 5’11” 126 pounds, didn’t fit the profile, now her younger sister who is 16 just had it out in Jan. 2011. She is sick after eating anything. We all have suffered from IBS. I don’t know what to do with the youngest, nothing works and I am so tired of the GI saying only 1% end up this way. No from what I have wittnessed. She has been out of school for 2weeks now because she is afraid to eat and then she feels sick from not eating. It is a terrible cycle.
Michelle says
Hi Jaimee, How are your daughters doing now since they’ve had it out at such a young age? Any problems since? I’m 24, 5’7″ and 125 lbs and will have to go through gall bladder surgery within the next month after a year of struggling with stomach issues and terrible pain and dizziness. I’m just worried about how I’ll feel afterwards and how it will affect my life afterwards, knowing I’ll most likely have to change my diet.
Robyn says
Is it too late to comment on this? I just had my gallbladder removed a week ago after a year of unsuccessfully trying to save it. I did gallbladder flushes and ended up very sick from them. Turn out my gallbladder had no stones in it, it was just chronically inflamed. My naturopath – who is fabulous and teaches WAPF principles to her patients – wants me on a very low fat diet for 4 – 6 weeks. I really feel like I’m dying. I have extreme nausea (no pain meds) most of the day and night. I’m not getting nearly enough sleep, because I’m having to eat every 2 hours or so and I wake up at night starving with low blood sugar. I think this is contributing greatly to my nausea. I’m not used to eating low fat, and in order to try to keep my blood sugar up I’m eating a lot of fruit – like pear sauce and cooked peaches – and I typically eat a high fat, low carb diet. I just don’t do well on fruit. And I obviously don’t do well on low fat. If anybody reads this, I would be so grateful to know how long those of you who’ve had their gallbladders out stayed on a low fat diet. I ate 1 egg this morning out of desperation and felt a little bit better for a while. I’m so sick I just don’t think I could keep this up for 4 -6 weeks, but I also don’t want to damage the rest of my biliary system. Oh, and I am on SCD, which is nearly identical to GAPS, so I don’t eat grains or starches. I would happily and gratefully accept any private e-mails on the subject. Thanks so much!! [email protected]
KitchenKop says
Hi Robyn, did you go read the link in the post above? You might want to get the opinion of another naturopath, because from the sounds of the WAPF article, you don’t need to go low-fat… Don’t take my word for it, though, do more research and possible seek another opinion. Obviously your body is telling you it needs something.
Kelly
Michelle says
When I had my gallbladder out almost two years ago I specifically asked my doctor if I had to stay on the low fat diet after surgery. He was a regular, allopathic, non WAP surgeon, but he said I could eat whatever I wanted after it was out. I never had any issues that I noticed, but I was still eating SAD at that time and have since figured out that I have more digestive issues than I realized, so take that for what it is worth. 🙂 I do feel much better when I get fat in my meals. My surgeon put me on a low fat diet before my surgery and I remember being tired, resorting to fast food and so forth, but I also had a new baby in the house so that was probably part of it too. I hope this is helpful, it’s just my experience
Slawebb says
I agree with Michelle. I have been eating anything I want and have been fine for the past 2 years. If I get too much Sat Fat, I feel a little off, but over all I eat a diet that is not low fat. Eat the way you did before and wee how you feel. If something makes you feel bad cut back on it, mostly it’s ice cream for me. Otherwise, just eat like you normally would.
shannon says
This may get long but I’ll try to keep it shorter. My husband has just found out he has gallstones. We’ve been eating real, traditional food for a year and a half now. He is still obese though has lost a few pounds just by eating this way. He sits at a computer all day which contributes to his weight and this discovery of the gallstones has made him quickly wise up about losing weight.
However though, in the meantime, we’ve found lots of conflicting literature on preventing and dissolving gallstones. Since it seems they are made of cholesterol, much of the information suggests limiting cholesterol intake which is quite contrary to our current eating habits. It also seems eating lecithin may help dissolve them though I will not be eating this with him.
Do you have any insight into this area Kelly to help dissolve them without surgery and preventing them in the future. My husband is now already considering lowering our meat consumption (we eat primarily grassfed and pastured, local meat of course). I’m willing to do anything to help him feel better. Thanks! (This was still long!). 🙂
Shannon
KitchenKop says
Hi Shannon,
Be sure to read the info in the link above (in the post) and all the great info in the comments, and besides that, my only other advice for you is to find a good naturopath/ holistic health practitioner who is informed about WAPF principles to consult with on this.
Good luck!
Kelly
Genet says
Yeah, I am no expert, but I would be quite careful with thinking that cholesterol is controlled from what you eat. Actually, our bodies MAKE cholesterol for reasons not totally connected to our diet. My understanding is, your body makes it to help your body “heal.” I believe I have read actually, that stress and spikes in blood sugar (fruit, sugar, carbs) effect your cholesterol levels and also your liver functions, which in turn effect your gall bladder. You could probably google that for more info. But again, I am no expert. I second the idea to consult a holistic doctor in your area. Good luck!
Emily says
I am so thankful I came across this article! I started having gall bladder troubles last Oct, about four months after the birth of my son. I developed pancreatitis due to a blocked bile duct and had to be hospitalized for four days (esp no fun when you have such a young baby!). I felt so frustrated that the only info I found said I needed to eat a very low-fat diet, which I believe is not healthy, especially since I am breastfeeding. I passed this post (and the WAP article) onto a friend who has had gall bladder problems for years. Thank you!!!
Cat says
i had my gallbladder out a couple of years ago and have had no food/digestive issues since having it removed. digesting fat isn’t a problem, nor is eating meat, eggs, etc. i ate a very bland diet for a few weeks after the surgery, but in the years since then i’ve enjoyed a very normal diet and haven’t felt any adverse side effects from specific foods. i hope all of the responses help to reassure you as well as give you some ideas of things to try if you do suffer some adverse reactions!
Zusa says
It is my understanding that you will need to take bile salts with your fats as the gallbladder is no longer there to squirt out bile to emulsify the fats for you as you take them in. Not sure if bile is necessary for coconut oil, but of course, you do want and need all those other good fats too. There is an excellent podcast on the gallbladder that I recommend to everyone who wants to be informed on what our gallbladders are all about and how to prevent having yours removed. It can be found on iTunes or the Primal Body – Primal Mind website. The first 15 minutes or so is an interview with the author of a new cookbook and I think the podcast got labeled “cuisine for whole health” or something like that. It’s an excellent free podcast. https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/primal-body-primal-mind-radio/id385416862
Remember too that the liver is involved in the production of bile so where there are gallbladder issues, there are also liver issues.
Also, you may want to look at the website for The Nutritional Therapy Association and locate a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner in your area. NTP’s have been trained to do nutritional support for liver/gallbladder issues and they are based in WAP principles.
SAR says
I had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago, at age 24, before ever being pregnant. I spent 3 years thinking I had bad heartburn, but then after several really bad gallbladder attacks we figured out what was going on. A couple of the attacks that I can remember were brought on by KFC (yes, my diet has changes since then!), and bacon.
Honestly, I don’t remember being told to eat any differently after my surgery. The discharge nurse actually gave me a frowny face when she saw I’d only had a little bit of my breakfast 12 hours after my surgery– I was afraid to eat!
The only food I had problem with after the surgery was bacon, and, since that was my big problem food before, I just steered clear of it for a while. Now I can eat all the foods that bothered me before hand, and I definitely don’t cut back on the healthy fats. I can eat bacon now too (yum) though 3 slices seems to be about the limit.
I was at a cod liver oil presentation by Dave Wetzel (founder of Green Pasture products) last week, and this question about gallbladder issues came up. He suggested starting out with a small amount of oil a day– without my notes, I think it was 1/2 tsp or so, but it sounds like a personal, to each his own situation that might require some experimenting. I am waiting for my first CLO/BO order now and am planning to start out with a less rather than more approach. As I understand it, my body should adjust and I’ll be able to tolerate more over time.
Good luck to those of you dealing with gallbladder issues currently/recently.
Jendeis says
Thank you so much for this timely post! I had my gall bladder out in March, and have been worrying about how to integrate good fats back into my diet.
Raine Saunders says
Diarrhea experienced before and after the gallbladder removed means food is not getting digested properly – especially fats. If you still have your gallbladder and you are experiencing chronic or intermittent diarrhea, it’s usually due to the foods you are eating (processed foods and artificial fats) and your gallbladder is having trouble dealing with them.
Also, when your liver is toxic from foods that you’ve eaten, it has a more difficult time secreting bile properly into the gallbladder. If your gallbladder is out and you are still experiencing diarrhea, you may need ox bile or bile salts in addition to a healthy diet with real fats. I experienced diarrhea both before and after my gallbladder was removed. After I started eating healthy foods with good fats and taking bile salts, it went away and my bowel movements became normal for the first time in my life.
Cathy says
In my early 20s, I had what the doctor described as a gall bladder attack. True to form, he put me on a low fat diet. “For how long?” I asked. “For the rest of your life,” was his answer. Well, that plan lasted about two months (or until the pain went away). Frankly, I had no idea that animal fat was healthy in any way given all the hype from our “experts” on how horrible it is for the body. So far (I’m nearing 60) I’ve had no more problems with gall bladder issues in spite of my meat-lover’s diet, though I do have border-line high cholesterol (still researching on that one.) I’ve always believed that what we eat impacts our health, but my biggest focus now is not so much on what foods I eat, but how close to natural they are.
KitchenKop says
Cathy, did you see my post from last week about cholesterol??
Michelle says
Thanks so much for this Kelly! I had my gall bladder removed about 18 months ago after my second child was born a month early due to pancreatitis caused by gall stones. It is the push that got me started on my real food conversion. I asked my surgeon if there was anything I should eat differently after and he told me I could just go back to a “normal” diet. I have noticed that going out to eat tends to give me a little diarrhea, but until this post I didn’t connect it to my gall bladder, I just thought since I have been eating more healthy fats that those industrial oils were getting to me. Thanks so much for all this great information, I have a lot of reading to go do!
Ray - Pure Spontaneity says
My wife had her gall bladder removed about 2 years ago. She takes ox bile and Now Foods Super Enzymes with meals and has no problems.
Lilybel says
I had my gall bladder out in 1992 & was never told what to eat afterwards. I have also had unexplained diarrhea for nearly 25 years. Lots of food used to go straight through me. I recently discovered the Eat Fat, Lose Fat book by Sally Fallon (author of Nourishing Traditions), which has a health recovery diet in it. It recommends that people with no gall bladder eat 3 times a day (better for the releasing of bile by the liver). It also recommends digestive bitters and/or ox bile before each meal. I have put these into practice and feel SO much better – the diarrhea and gas have also gone.
Lanise says
I had my gall bladder out also after my 4th child. I do have problems with diarrhea sometimes, but it’s only when I’m eating processed fats/vegetable oils (like fried fast foods). I was told recently I should try and take bile salts, that can help. I also want to try a liver cleanse and see if that helps me feel better. Had I known then what I know now, I think I could have saved my gall bladder. But at the time the pain was so unbearable I had to do something. It was far worse than any of my natural child births.
Tara says
I had my gallbladder removed 17 years ago and had gastric bypass 3 years ago. Healthy fats are actually the most soothing foods to my system right now.
Peggy says
I was pregnant when my gall bladder gave up its last. When it was removed, the doctor said it was so calcified that if he’d dropped it, it would have shattered like a china plate. Years of dieting will do that to you. I was NOT prescribed any diet, as a matter of fact, no one mentioned to me that I might have problems digesting fatty food at all!
It takes an extreme amount of fat to give me problems. My diet is between 40-60% fat (depending on the day) and I have almost no trouble digesting at all. On the very rare occasion something gives me fits (almost always vegetable oil) I will take a lipase supplement. Eating a fermented food in the same meal almost always prevents the problem from occurring in the first place.
Janice says
When I had my gallbladder out during pregnancy with my 5th child, a midwife friend told me about digestive enzymes, especially ox bile. It really helped any discomfort I was having at the time. Now I only take them if I know I’m going to be eating something that might bother me (usually going out to eat.) At home, I don’t have any problems with all the good NT fats.
Raine Saunders says
I had my gallbladder removed in 2001 because I didn’t know there really were ways to clean out the gallbladder and make it healthy again (and my diet had been atrocious for many years) or that you can eat foods to support its health and performance such as healthy fats (no vegetable or modern oils) and proteins from animals and birds on pasture. Anything cultured or fermented is supportive too – home-made yogurt or kefir, or cultured vegetables/juice made at home with whey or culture starter (from Cultures for Health or Body Ecology).
Here’s something else: For about 6 years I’ve taken some type of bile salts. A good brand is Standard Process because most of their products are made from organically-sourced, whole foods. I use Cholacol. It’s very important to help the liver stimulate bile production during eating. The absence of the gallbladder to store bile for when fats need to be digested causes a continual production of bile from the liver, and it drips continually into the small intestine. This can actually lead to intestinal or colon cancer. Here’s my posts about gallbladder/liver health and also the miracle liver/gallbladder cleanse by Andreas Moritz – highly recommended for anyone, but especially those who have had trouble with their gallbladder/stones in liver:
Gallbladder disease and the Standard American Diet
https://agriculturesociety.com/alternative-medicine-and-treatment/gallbladder-disease-and-the-standard-american-diet-my-personal-account/
Liver/gallbladder miracle cleanse:
https://agriculturesociety.com/politics-and-food/my-liver-and-gallbladder-miracle-cleanse-experience/
minderkc says
Hi I just removed my gallblader on 26july 2012 and not sure what will life be after this without a gallblader. Hope you can you can share your experience and some tips to stay healthy.
NancyO says
There is a Standard Process nutrition supplement called AF Betafood that is for helping the body digest fats. My husband is prone to gall bladder issues, as is ALL his family, and I can’t begin to convey how helpful it’s been to them. I would check with a chiropractor who uses SP products to see if it might be helpful in your case…or you could read up on it and order it yourself. Here’s a site that discusses it’s use for a problematic gall bladder. If you read on down it also gives info on using it after gall bladder removal. https://www.lynnmoralesnd.com/gallbladder-gas-and-bloating-by-dr-bruce-west/
Many blessings as you serve your precious family! 🙂
Melissa @ Dyno-mom says
Okay, I had my gallblader removed when I starting passing stones during my pregnancy with my ninth child. The pain is terrible. I was grateful toget it out because my estrogen, which is high in pregnancy, excerbated the development of stones and I was having weekly attacks until I was term. While some modifications in the diet are necessary, they are not extreme or dificult.
It is true that bile salts are used to digest or emulsify some fats, but not all. Coconut oil does not require bile to digest and can be eaten by people who are able to keep their gallbladder attacks under control with diet. Other fats do require it but bile is not eliminated by the removal of the gallbladder. The gallbladder holds the bile which then expells it into the digestive track to emulsify fats. When the gallbladder is removed, the bile ducts are connected from the liver to the intestine. You can still digest fats, as the bile trickles in rather than being expressed into the track when fats are consumed.
My surgeon told me to drink plenty of water when eating fatty foods, eat them slowly, and to increase my probiotics. When I follow these tips, I am fine. I eat a diet rich in healthy fats and I have no problems digesting my fat. I eat a lot of butter and coconut oil and animal fats and can say that in the two years since my surgery I have never had the trouble others tell me they have had. The exception would be a temporary dietary change I had to make when I needed to eliminate probiotics for three months, then I was miserable.
A friend who is a doctor said that excessively low-fat diets can lead to stones and veganism increases the risk. When the body does not need to pass bile into the digestive track, the pooled and unused bile coagulates. But there are other causes. Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies, can increase your risk for gallstones. Estrogen wreaks havoc on bile salts and can lead to stones. Being the mother of ten, the surgeron told me my cause was not diet but rather estrogen and that there was nothing I could have done to prevent or mitigate it. That said, sometimes there is simply nothing that you may have done. Sometimes people can live with dietary changes and not have to have the gallbladder out, but I was passing stones and it was not possible to leave it in.
I hope your friend improves and finds health again. These kinds of set backs can be heartbreaking when one is so careful about diet. I speak from experience. Kelly, you have my email. If anything I have said is helpful, please pass it along. I am more than happy to share my experiences.
Hope says
My gallbladder was removed in 1993. I ate the standard american diet for many years and had a lot of difficulty with friend foods and processed meats for many eyars. Last year I decided to eat and be well. I elliminated processed foods completely and most sugar. I enjoy eggs, green salads, fresh fruit and vegetables, all grassfed meats, wild-caught fish, and seafood as well as our favorite oil, coconut oil used to cook everything. Our salads are enjoyed with extra virgin olive oil. We eat butter too, but it too is organic. I do much better eating the same time every day, three meals with two small snacks in between. I drink kombucha, kefir, lots of water, raw milk, and most all our dairy is full fat, though I eat it in smaller quantities. I hope this helps.
willb says
Bummer
Genet says
Hmmm . . . . I didn’t even know there was a prescribed diet after gall bladder surgery . . . . .?
Genet says
Hmmm . . . .Ok . . .I side with Ronda and maybe I am a bit odd here. Ten years ago, I had major gall bladder attacks during my first pregnancy. I WAS SO SICK!!!! Not that being pregnant helped, I am sure. I couldn’t even drink WATER without major heartburn type pain. So I had the surgery when my daughter was 3 weeks old (yes, I was even nursing at the time). I IMMEDIATELY felt better. The pain, fever and nausea I had been having disappeared overnight. Of course, I went a “soft food” route for a few days. But other than that, I’ve never had problems eating anything, unless I just go crazy at the local Pizza joint! LOL! Obviously, if you are eating well balanced meals, fruit, veggies, grains, along with your fats, that should help. So ((((hugs)))) to you my friend. Take heart. It might not be as bad as the frowny doctor says! 🙂
Ronda says
I had my gall bladder removed over 10 years ago. I am curious on what is the best foods to be eating too, but I do have some comments. Once I recovered from the surgery I have never had trouble eating any food. I believe that an extreme low-fat diet caused my gall-stone issues, so I have never followed a low-fat diet since the surgery. The only issue I have is if I do something stupid and eat a sugary pastry and coffee for breakfast. This is a combination I highly recommend NOT doing. I have found that the adverse reaction has decreased over time, but really it is not a good idea on so many levels.
Theresa Langford says
I had gallbladder surgery in March, have been able to eat normal, but have noticed my IBS is more frequent than before, probably need to eat less naughty food, as I have gained some of the weight back from losing 20lbs before surgery.
Elizabeth Walling says
Bone broth (and gelatin in general) is incredibly nourishing to the entire gut system and will reduce inflammation throughout the body. It’s definitely one of the best healing foods you can eat!
I second Tim on the coconut oil as well. It is typically a very easily digested fat. Butter also contains a lot of short and medium chain fatty acids as well, which would make it easier to digest than some other animal fats that contain more long chain fatty acids.
Tim Huntley says
I believe the medium chain triglycerides in Coconut Oil do not require bile for digestion (the are taken straight from the intestine via the portal vein to the liver). Maybe that would be a good choice for fat?
…Tim
Ken Duncan says
If this could help anyone else, it is worth while trying.
I am an active 67 years old male. I had my gal bladder removed 2 years ago. Stomach cramps, gas, and explosive diarrhea all through this time. Every week removing something in my diet to find a cause. Fatty foods, bacon, sausage, hamburger, all meats, dairy products, any seasonings, then salads, then vegetables, then grains, then coffee and tea, on and on. 6 different types of probiolics. Finally just gave up and accepted it as how the rest my life would be, so eat what I want and stay close to a toilet.
Three weeks ago we started looking what to put in our garden, had not planted one in a couple years. Okra, wow have not had fried okra in two years. Bought a bag of frozen, and Wife fried it up in plenty of oil. I did not have anything planned the next few days, and it can’t be any worse anyhow. I ate way too much of it. Really tasted good to me.
Next bowel movement I am like a kid the first time he pooped in the toilet. Almost a normal stool. Next BM back to normal diarrhea. I am very conscious of what I have eaten the past few days. Bought some more frozen okra and ate it. Back to almost a normal BM. Repeat again, same results. Three times in two years I had a normal BM. Each of these three times I have had greasy fried okra with normal other foods. Bacon, biscuits and gravy for breakfast, cheeseburger and okra for lunch, stuffed jalapenos for dinner, normal BM.
I have no explanation or even a thought as to why, but I can guarantee fried okra will continue to be in my daily diet.
I hope everyone finds their solution. Life is miserable with constant explosive diarrhea.
Jordan says
I am a 30 year old male who lost his gallbladder at age 28. Worst day of my life! I have also found okra helps with my bowel movements. Granted it does not completely eliminate the diarrhea but it does help make it less severe. I believe because it is high in soluble fiber (hence it is slimy). Every night before bed I eat some. I have also found out beets, carrots, apples and citrus fruit help because they bind to excess bile which causes the diarrhea. Also psyllium husk works in the same way as do chia seeds and oats. I am going to experiment by adding a psyllium, chia seed and oat porridge to my pre-bedtime routine. Carob also binds to bile because it is high in pectin so I will be adding that to the porridge and it also helps improve the taste. I have already tried chia seeds on their own and they do help a little but maybe combining them with psyllium and oats will help more. So, now my bedtime routine is okra, beets, carrots, apples and the psyllium, chia and oat porridge.