Gallbladder Surgery

Has anyone here dealt with Gallbladder surgery (removal of) and have recovered from it? I'm currently in the recovery state and I'm anxious about my symptoms.

Please help and tell me about how things went for you.

Thanks so much..

 

hi ---

i had mine taken out by laprascope in 1991

when they first came out with the procedure, i was out of the hos in 3 days and had 3 tiny inscions, i was fine for the first few weeks no pain but for gas as they blow you up for the camera,

then 6 weeks later i got the D BAD for a long time, the doc told me it was owed to not having a gall bladder anymore.

i had stones by the way. i thought the op was a piece of cake but i had a GREAT surgeon!!!! dr homan from white plains ny

a man who knows is business!!!!

now it is 15 yrs later and i am 50 and i have only problems with ibs b/c i think of my AS/PA psoriatic arth

the D i had from the removal of my gall bladder op lasted on and off for a year or so and was told this was to be expected....after that i had no symtoms from about 1992-2002 when i got my crash which had nothing to do with my GB op

I got it removed this past thursday. I have D now, and wondering if that is normal. I'm now anxious on hearing that this is going to persist for a while because I start a new job in a few weeks and I need to be in tip top shape for this job since it is majorly demanding. What di dyou do to control it????? Should I discuss with my doc about it?

 

You have to give your guts 6-8 weeks to get straightened out after gall bladder removal. Your body has to adjust to not having it in there releasing bile in synch with the food that you eat. One thing I noticed after I had mine out was that I couldn't tolerate beef or pork very well during this recovery period.

My suggestion to you would be to stay on a sort of low-fat diet with only a little chicken or fish for protein and avoid spicey foods, acidic foods (including a lot of tomatoes) and no caffineited drinks. I would also not drink decaf coffee since it is acidic and, I have herd, not entirely caffeine free. Caffiene is probably my biggest trigger. Also stay away from anything deep fried, fried in vegetable oil or butter. You can fry stuff in olive oil if you want.

The best thing to help the diarrhea at this point in time is either Imodium or Pepto Bismol pills. You can also get Caltrate 600 w/vitamin D calcium supplements and take two a day; they help soak up excess fluid in your guts. If you start to get constipated while on the calcium, drop to one a day. Take the Imodium or Pepto as needed.

If you are still having problems with diarrhea in 6-8 weeks, and especially if you are having problems with it while on the calcium, then go to your G.I. and ask for Welchol. That's what I am on. It's a cholesterol medicine, but it has this nifty little side affect of soaking up bile. How clever for people without gall bladders and too much bile! I take one or two a day for maintence, plus a calcium pill a day, and then I also take them as needed--just as you can take an immodium. I've been on it for about three years now and I really like it. Couldn't be normal without it. I had diarrhea off and on for a year after my GB removal before I saw my dr. again and he gave it to me. Inape on here is also short a GB, but the calcium alone fixes her up. I'm obviously a bit worse off than her since calcium does not fix me by itself, but it does help the Welchol out. There are a couple of people who have been on here who had to take 6 Welchols a day. Whatever it takes.

who had theirs removed because the gallbladder wasn't working or because of gallstones?

What's weird with me is that, I'm already used to the fact that i need to go to the bathroom alot. And for a while I always had loose stool. So maybe this won't be suggest a change forme heheh. I already scope out bathrooms when I go out in public cause I know my body already.

They removed my gallbladder because of the excruciating pain it was giving me since it was only 17% functional. Plus it was very large and distended which caused pain when I overate which ddn't take much for me to "overeat".

I hope this isn't such a drastic change for me... I've been suffereing from my gallbladder since I was 13..... I'm 27 now.... The reason wy I say 13 is that the first time I had a gallbladder attack......I remember it clearly since my sister took me to the ER but they said I was just constipated.

hmm, they kept on doing ultrasound after ultrasound because they suspected gallstones but nothing came up. Its because my gallbladder wasn't working at all. That was the reason for my pain. I got a new primary care physician the beginning of this year, and I finally told her, "okay. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ME" she made me take a HIDA scan and that was the only test that would have told me that my gallbladder wasn't working properly. When the surgeon removed it, he said it was large. Thank God, it didn't burst......

I also had a very good doc too, supposedly the proceedure didn't last more than 20mins. The only problem with my surgeon is I can't understand a word he says! He's greek with a very heavy accent.

Silly gallbladder and its dysfunctional-isms hehe

You kjnow the diet you mentioned above is basically the diet I've been on for years =) I'm had soooo many stomach woes its horrible.... I stem it also to the fact that I'm uber-anxious too. *sigh* So I've completely been on a strict diet for years. Nonetheles sI still have some stomach woes but have been able to control it more so.

The pain under the ribcage is HORRID. I always had some sensitivity but man, when those attack kicked in they were *horrid*. It felt like a dang softball knot of pain.............. or like a pipe stabbed through my torso since the pain would radiate to the back..... I'm hoping I never have that again....
And the attacks would start slowly and I would feel it coming on, until it peaked for hours.... ugh.

I love my Welchol too. I couldn't be mostly normal without it (I still have some problems, but many, many fewer and they don't last as long as before I got on it).

Caffeine was probably my major trigger when I had a GB and I still find that I can't tolerate it except in very low doses in herbal tea and in chocolate. Colas and black tea and coffee are all right out. I have to be careful of fried foods now too. I almost never eat any fast food anymore and when I do it's rarely anything fried. I had some chicken mcnuggets back on Memorial Day weekend and I haven't had anything deep fried since. And I can't think of how many months I had gone before that without anything deep fried.

What is welchol? I had my G. B> out about 5 yrs ago. Before that I was kind of C but not that I had to give it all my attention. After the operation I got IBS really big time. gas, bloating either c or d . That's the every day part. Bad days I get all that along with nausea and chills but no temp. I didn't connect my problem with the G B until I read about it somewhere. When I asked my gastro dr he said it often happens. Odd how they don't
t offer information unless asked. I hope your problems go away. Permenant IBS doesn't ALWAYS happen . Just to the unlucky few. Merri

Here is the calcium information. I know it is a lot to take in but it may be will worth it to see if this simple solution can offer you the relief it has me and many others. You need to follow it as close as you can to get the best results. I know it sound too simple to work but it really does help a lot.

This is what has helped me for more than 8 years with almost daily attacks of urgent diarrhea after having my Gall Bladder removed. Calcium is known to be constipating so if you are that IBS type do not take it. All calcium is not the same. Here is the what and how to take the calcium information if you suffer from diarrhea.

Calcium is an OTC supplement we all do not usually get enough of. No Rx is needed to purchase this.

When you take calcium about 40% of the dose gets to the bones the rest is eliminated in our waste. The calcium goes to the intestines and soaks up excess fluids and binds them together and they are gotten rid of in our waste.

This is a process that can be continued by taking the calcium carbonate on a daily basis thus giving a more formed BM.

There is calcium carbonate which helps us with diarrhea and there is calcium citrate which is more easily absorbed by the body and gets to the bones but is not as helpful in controlling diarrhea.

A lot of the calcium supplements contain a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. Magnesium is not helpful for us with diarrhea only causing more in most cases. So, do not purchase this combination. It will only make things worse. Also if you are taking a multi vitamin with magnesium this may be a source of some of the problem if you are having diarrhea. Also for me vitamin A, C, and E seemed to cause me stomach upset. If you check this out your will see they too can cause diarrhea. It is better not to take a multi vitamin while trying to get the calcium to help.

The dose to take is different for everyone. I must take 3 a day one at each meal and it does not make a difference if I take it before during or after just take it regularly. Taking them at least 4 or 5 hours apart is also necessary so the calcium has time to go through the system and soak up excess bile and water. Sometimes, because of the long number of hours between dinner and breakfast it may be necessary to adjust your timing to taking one at bedtime with a small snack to get better results if you are a person who usually suffers from diarrhea in the mornings. I think the way it works is the dose you take prior helps with the current meal and the distress it may cause.

The most success has come from using any formula of calcium supplement that is like Caltrate 600 Plus with Vitamin D and Minerals in the purple and white box. This information is from the many users that have sent me emails and of the posters on the web sites I have dealt with. I hope this will help anyone wishing to try it and I am always here to answer any questions for you. I have a lot of feed back form many users.

You must also have some testing done to be sure you are not dealing with anything more serious. This is most important.
There are other things to consider. If you take any other meds check the side effects and also check with the Doctor or Pharmacist to see if taking calcium will interfere with your other medications and how you might take them. I know if you take thyroid meds it is important not to take the calcium at the same time but you can take the thyroid meds one hour before you take calcium or 4 hours after taking the calcium. The calcium will soak up the thyroid medication and you will not be getting the benefit from it. You should also look at the side effects of any other meds you may be on this can contribute to the success or failure of using calcium to help to control your diarrhea. You may also consider if you are constipated and taking calcium this may be the reason for your constipation. You can most likely switch to another form of calcium to relieve this also.

The only side effect is at the beginning of taking the calcium, you may have some gas or indigestion but this usually goes away soon after taking a regular dose for a few days as your body adjusts to the added calcium. For most it is about 3 days and it is important to start with the lower dose so you don't have the added distress and think the calcium is not helping but making you worse.

Starting with 1/2 tablet doses with each meal will lessen this problem and it may be enough to control the diarrhea attacks without making you constipated.

Constipation can be a problem so be careful not to take too much. It is safe for most of us to take 1800 mg a day as long as your body processes calcium correctly and you do not have some underlying problem. Check with your Doctor.

I had my gall bladder removed in 1976 and from that time on I had suffered urgent attacks of diarrhea. It is now known to me that is called Bile Salts Diarrhea. This happens to a good percent of people who have had their Gall Bladder Removed. I Went through a lot of test but nothing else could be found. I took many of the meds for bowel spasms and cramps over the years but nothing ever seemed to help. I started to take a calcium supplement to help prevent bone loss in later years and from the first day I felt relief. I was pretty much a prisoner to the bathroom or had to go without eating to be able to leave the house.

I must take 1 tablet with each meal and the diarrhea does not come back if I miss taking it I get diarrhea. It is a trial and error situation to find the right amount that may help you.

The way it works is the calcium carbonate it a binder and when you take it only about 40% of the calcium gets to the bones and the rest is gotten rid of in our waste. During that process it gets to the intestines and soaks up excess bile and water and helps give a more solid BM. Now that you have no gall bladder the bile fluid goes directly into the intestines and causes irritation and diarrhea. That burning yellowish color that you may see is the bile. The calcium carbonate soaks this up and no more diarrhea. It works great for a lot of us and you just have to take the calcium regularly and do not miss.

I started with Caltrate 600 Plus with vitamin D and minerals and it does seem to make a difference in the ingredients of calcium... This one seems to do the best job for most. You can buy other store brands of calcium with the same ingredients that work just as well but they need to have the same ingredients. I get Member's Mark Brand from Sam's Club you get 300 tablets for 8.99. I know Walgreens has their brand with the same ingredients and if you live in the UK Boots has been reported to have something similar. Let me know if you need more help. You won't be sorry if you try it.

I suggest starting with 1/2 tablet with each meal at first this may be enough to control the diarrhea if not in a few days up the dose to 1 tablet with each meal or any combination there of. The side effect is constipation so if you feel it coming on just stop taking it until you have a BM then start back on a lower dose. It is important to use a calcium that is as much alike as the Caltrate brand from the feedback I have gotten.

Let me list the ingredients:

Vitamin D 200 IU (The sunshine vitamin needed to help the body absorb calcium)

Calcium 500 or 600 MG (This should be calcium carbonate form) (Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Calcium is vital to muscle and nerve function, blood clotting and metabolism.)

Magnesium 40 MG (No more than this amount because magnesium will cause you to have diarrhea but because calcium is constipating the magnesium helps to counter act that effect) (Magnesium is essential to build bones and is needed for muscle function, energy metabolism, trans-mission of nerve impulses and to make genetic material and protein.)

Zinc 7.5 MG (Zinc is necessary for some metabolic processes, normal growth and sexual development, and proper immune system functions.)

Copper 1 MG (Copper promotes iron absorption and is essential to red blood cells, connective tissue, fibers and skin pigmentation.)

Manganese 1.8 MG (Maganese plays an important role in metabolism and is also needed to build bones and tendons.)

Boron 250 MCG. (Improves calcium and magnesium retention. Similar improvements can also be seen in Vitamin D deficient post menopausal females.)

There are other brands with the same ingredients so get something as close as you can. Then start with 1/2 tablet with each meal and in a few days if this is not enough to control your diarrhea then up the dose to 1 tablet with each meal. If you feel you are becoming constipated then cut back on the dose. You may have to stop the calcium completely then start back after you have a BM at a lower dose.

It has been working since the first day I started taking it July 1998 and as long as I take 3 a day (this is the amount I must take it may be different for you) I remain diarrhea free. No cramps, bloating or diarrhea. No stomach noises, gas or pain. If I should happen to have a case of diarrhea for who knows what reason it is very short lived and not the pain involved like before and this I am sure happens to even normal people. It is usually a one shot deal and it is over.

The dose you take with each meal is not the dose that is helping you at that meal it is the prior ones that have time to works their way through you system to soak up excess bile and water in the intestines.

It also works for those of you who still have the gall bladder.

Take Care,

Linda

LNAPENTS@netscape.net

Hello:

     I just recently had my gall bladder removed (This past Friday - 1 September) and seemed to be doing all right but now working on my 4th day after, I have a couple concerns.

     First is this business with the gas or air bubbles left after laparoscopic surgery. I was told they would 'vanish' 24 hours after surgery, however I am still finding pain in my right shoulder when I get up and I feel this movement of bubbles from one side to the other when I roll in and out of bed. Is this normal? Are there any other explanations? Any fixes? ^^

     Secondly, I didn't have a BM until 2 days after surgery and I was surprised to find it 'normal' (minus the aid of ab muscles due to incisions). I figured I was fine and well, but now on this 4th day I find a rather sharp pain to the right of my belly button leading to the back and D. I assumed I would have some D due to what I read and what I was told, but I thought the bile gave it a yellowish hue? Then again, I am sure that is 'generic' and not 100% of the time.

     I just want to kind of hear what others have to say and see if anyone has advice or links I can go to to read even more about these things and see if there is any need to worry or not. ^^

Thanks!

Keriamon said...
I think it took me two or three days to get over the gas pains. How long it takes you to get the gas out of your system depends some on you and some on how the doctor works. I just had my tubes tied and told my gyno about my gas pains the last time and was there something she could do to suck more of it out afterwards and she said that she would be careful with it and see what she could do to help me. I never had the first gas pain after that surgery. So your doctor has a lot to do with it, I think.

You might try a gas relief pill. Even though the gas was never put directly into your digestive tract, it's my understanding that it gets absorbed into various body parts--and that's how it eventually gets out. You may want to try and give yourself gas to see if that can prompt your body to release some of it (my bad gb caused me to have a lot of trapped gas for some reason--I stopped burping and pooting after it went bad). Sprite is good and bubbly--I can't think of anything better to induce burping. Also peppermint is supposed to relax the esophagus muscles and cause an increase in burpring which can help alleviate gas. Vibrations are also supposed to help relieve gas pain (I guess because it dislodges it), so when you get to hurting, you may want to have someone drive you around the nearest road construction, lol.

Pain meds will constipate you, so it's not suprising that you didn't have a movement until 2 days afterwards and that it wasn't diarrhea at all. And it's not surprising that now it's starting to kick in. My poops are usually a light brown, not yellow. They only turn yellow after I've had D a few times and there's nothing left in my intestines BUT bile. But sometimes even when my poop is brown, where I wipe on the toliet paper is definitely more yellow. That's how I can tell if I'm having an excess bile problem before I get worse.

You need to watch what you eat during this period as your guts will be really testy. Stay mild and low fat. Anything that bothered you before, don't consume it now. Stay away from caffeine too. I also had a problem with red meat and pork for a few weeks after my surgery. Give yourself 6-8 weeks to get adjusted and then find out what you can and can't eat. If you're still having diarrhea attacks, go back to your GI and ask for the Welchol. I can eat anything I want (except caffeine) so long as I have the Welchol. I don't even want to think about what all I couldn't eat if I didn't have it.

Thank You SO Much!! I will definately try all that advice and put it to good use!! I really really appreciate it! ^^

You can try simethicone for the gas and yes, calcium carbonate 3 times a day keeps the diarrhea in check for me.

Linda