I have never had my gall bladder removed, but since I have been having trouble I have made it a point to talk to as many people as I can about it. It seems that quite a few people have a longer period of adjustment after the removal. Since the body is not producing bile as normal, the body is re-setting itself so to speak. My friend told me it took her a year for her body to adjust, whereas others have had no problem at all. All agree that a very bland diet for a substancial amount of time after surgery is the best plan.

I am still waiting to see if my gall bladder is the culprit of all my problems. I still believe that it is. I am just glad that you are all here to talk to. Sometimes I feel like such a freak when people come and ask me why I am not eating this, going to some luncheon or having a cocktail. I just keep praying and watching everything that I am eating.

Keeping My Fingers Crossed!
Michelle

My sister had hers out like 3 years ago and she still has terrible bile problems as do I.

Can you tell me what your symptons were? REason I ask, I have all these and wonder if it's really GERD. I've had no testing for either but I'm on Cimetidine for now. Had excruciating mid sternal pain that woke me up. Since that incidence a year ago the symptons have progressed. Now have reflux, this weird tight achy throat thing, I get full very fast, burp lots, and get short of breath on the slightest exertion. I just feel crappy.

Hi Stprdi,

I posted all my symptoms and situation on August 24, 02 under "Hey Toccoah, how are you doing?".

Anyway, they have done a barium swallow, endoscopy, and an ultrasound and nothing shows GERD, hiatal hernia or ulcers. I notice that after I eat, especially meat, I have a lot of pressure at my sternum and under my right rib cage. I find that I keep pressing my hand there to get comfort. When I sleep and night I can't sleep on my right side because I get nauseous. I just need to keep pushing those docs! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi, foodie. If you have your GB out, be prepared for life to change. Some people do very well, and have no problems whatsoever. However, as you can see by this board, many people have residual pain/problems after the GB is removed. I had mine out in '97, and although the upper right side pain/pressure and nausea were gone, my IBS (diarrhea type) got much worse. I'm now taking Colestid to control it with good success. However, many people like me end up with chronic diarreha after surgery, or continued pain, or still feel weak/tired after a few weeks/months, etc.

Your doctor will need to determine if it is your GB, and then as in any surgery, there will be no guarantees that life will be all rosy again after surgery. But if it's got to come out, we'll be here to support you in your recovery.

Good luck,
Katie G

Thanks Katie http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I just know that something is going on with my GB. I still have made appointments with my Endocrinologist, OBGYN and my internist to cover all the bases. I just know that if they leave the GB in there and it becomes infected, my liver and pancreas can be negatively effected. It is just going to take some time to find resolution. Thank you so much for your support, it means alot. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Michelle

Hello Foodie,
You've done well on you research..but everyone is different, & recovers differently. Age sometimes is a factor also. The majority of people fare very well with this procedure. My next door neighbor, is in her 40's & had this done a yr ago, & went back to work in 3 days after her surgery. She is still doing excellent, & eats EVRYTHING. My cousin (in her 30's) had an open & difficult procedure almost 2yrs ago, went back to work within a week, but she's more careful in what she eats, as she gets heartburn. Another person I talked to(much younger)went to a ball game the next day after her surgery...& had no difficulties at all.
I don't recall if you posted this info previously, but what test are being done to determine exactly what your problem is, or if it's you GB? Have you consulted a Gastro Dr? You shouldn't keep guesing, find out for sure.
Keep us posted, we are here for you. The people I've met in this board were a God Send for me when I needed the support...Good Luck
Sandy

I have seen a gastro doc, but he doesn't think it is my GB. I had an ultra sound and it came back normal, so I guess my next step is a hida scan.

It's been three weeks since I had my GB removed laparoscopically. I feel great and have been eating fine! I heard that weight gain is a common side effect of being GB-less. Is that true? Any pointers to avoid the common pitfalls? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi, lap_choley. Yeah, weight gain was a problem for me after my GB was out. I had lost 25 lbs. prior to surgery due to pain after eating, loss of appetite, nausea, etc. related to the GB. I felt so good after surgery, I gained 40 lbs! Over a period of 4 years however. So my best advice is to exercise and watch how many calories you're eating. My body got used to such few amounts of food when I was sick with my GB, that I just over-ate for my metabolism after sugery.

Good luck to you!
Katie G

I lost the weight again after anti-reflux surgery a year ago, and so far, haven't gained it back.

Katie G, thanks for the tips! Someone also told me that the weight gain is directly related to one's food intake and not a side effect of being without a GB. I sure hope that that's the case with me. I am doing great so far except for some dizzy spells these past few days. No nausea or vomiting, just dizzy episodes. Did you experience this too?

Hi, again lap_choley. No I don't remember any dizzy spells - maybe you've been over-doing it since you feel so good? Although I was back to work a week after surgery, I did not feel good again until about a month after surgery. Took me that long to build up my tolerance again for exercise/activity.

Do you have a history of blood pressure problems? This can also cause dizziness. Don't let it go - you should have it checked out, just to make sure everything is ok.

Keep me posted,
Katie G