Diarrhea After Gall Bladder Removal - Question - Gallbladder Message Board

paula43 · 05-19-2006, 07:45 AM

I know that this is normal for a few weeks as the body adjusts. I saw my dr. yesterday for stitch removal and don't want to call for every question so maybe some of the seasoned "ex-gall bladder" folks know the answer.

I have to go somewhere on a train this weekend (no bathroom on the train). Just for an hour but this diarrhea is unpredictable and quite explosive! Can I take an Immodium or will that mess up my system which is adjusting? I don't want to do any harm and the trip can wait but I really would like to go. The person would understand but it's an important event that I would hate to miss.

Titchou · 05-19-2006, 07:52 AM

Well, in cases like this, the immodium won't work. What are you eating that you are having this problem? Honestly, I didn't have it unless I ate something fatty. Now I realize that you don't always know what's in something, but I think as long as I ate pretty plain food (turkey sandwich, plain baked potato, toast with just a touch of jelly, etc) I was OK.

paula43 · 05-19-2006, 08:33 AM

Hi Titchou, thanks for replying. I am on a virtually no fat diet. The most I had was turkey which said .5 grams of fat per 2 ounces and I just had about that much. I know that dairy products can cause diarrhea but I am having one nonfat yogurt a day. This could be from the prunes and fruit I had so I could go when I was constipated 4 days after the surgery so I am not having anymore fruits. I have a little bread and pasta. I am not eating too much because I see the weight dropping and would love to lose a few pounds while my appetite isn't so good. Also need to get my cholesterol down so this lowfat diet will help that too (which I plan to stay on for a long time, not to this degree but definately lowfat). So the Immodium wouldn't help this? I know it didn't when I had very bad runs in the past. Well, I guess I can't travel unless it's in a car with a portable potty. Yipes! The dr. says it's common for the first 3 weeks so hopefully it will subside and hopefully I won't be one of the 5% who has the ongoing problem..argh, don't even want to think about that. This web, we read too much and scare ourselves.

stellatj · 05-19-2006, 10:29 AM

paula you might try upping your fiber i am a lifetime weight watchers member and i eat a high fiber diet i have no diarrhea i heard it really helps
good luck

Judy K · 05-19-2006, 04:25 PM

I had that problem for several months after my gall bladder was removed. It's as bad as what Grave's does to you! Every time I ate, within 15 minutes, it was OFF TO THE BATHROOM! That gets embarassing in public!

it does get better, though. I still have it happen from time to time. Especially eating out, for some reason?

Judy