Gall Bladder Removed

Updated on March 17, 2011
L.U. asks from Kirkland, WA
19 answers

Hi moms. I had to go to the ER on Sunday and was told that I needed to get my gall bladder removed. Sigh. On Monday morning I was in surgery and have had my gall bladder taken out. Bummer! So, now I am having some issues with what I can eat and not have it affect my bowels.
Have any of you had your gall bladder removed? What foods were you no longer able to eat? What foods helped? I am going to do some "googling" later on in the day, but wanted to hear from people that have actually gone through it.
Thanks!
L.

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H.N.

answers from Biloxi on

at first if feels like EVERYTHING makes you run to the bathroom but it will get better!! but, like the others said, my biggest issues were with greasy, fatty foods and salad!

2 moms found this helpful
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K.U.

answers from Detroit on

I had my gall bladder out 7 years ago because of gall stones. It would get aggravated by fatty greasy type foods but now that it is gone, it's no longer an issue. I don't have any dietary restrictions at all and nothing I eat now bothers me.

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

For now you need to stay away from anything fatty. I had mine taken out 7 months ago and still have issues at times. I pretty much know to stay away from greasy or anything with a lot of fat in it. I also have trouble eating a lot of raw veggies. If I were to go to a restaurant and order a big salad and eat the whole thing, I will have to go to the bathroom very soon after. It will get better with time, but for now try to eat smaller amounts and limit fats.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Austin on

You will be feeling so much better now with that nasty gallbladder gone! Eggs still cause me problems 6 years later. Not too much problem with other foods. It will take some time for your body to adjust.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.E.

answers from New York on

Immediately after having mine taken out I was on a VERY bland diet. Turkey sandwiches (no mayo or cheese), plain noodles, essentially no oils or fats of any kind.

Didn't the hosptial give you anything when you checked out?

Now (2 1/2 years later) I find that if I start the day with some toast, it tends to help me throughout the day - I can walk leisurely to the bathroom instead of running, lol.

Since you're so close to surgery I'm guessing you'll have a lot of triggers at first, but as you heal and your body learns to work without the GB you'll learn what your triggers are.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

L.,

What you are experiencing is perfectly normal. It will get better. Try to be
patient. It happened to me and everyone else I know. Something about
the enzymes going right thru (since GB is gone) hence the diarrhea. Take
care.

Updated

L.,

What you are experiencing is perfectly normal. It will get better. Try to be
patient. It happened to me and everyone else I know. Something about
the enzymes going right thru (since GB is gone) hence the diarrhea. Take
care.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Youngstown on

I had mine out in July of last year and had some troubles right after with dairy, fast food and pop. Those things sometimes bother me now but sometimes not. I know where bathrooms are if I am out and sometimes need to get to them quickly, but that is life. I am so thankful not to have the pain any longer. I suffered with attacks for 7 months before I finally had enough and went to get it check out, I waited because we don't have insurance and it was an expensive test and surgery. I think each person's body adjusts and adapts differently.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Tucson on

Hi L.,
Sounds like your case was pretty acute. Glad you got it out though. I know how terrible an attack feels. I hope you turn out to be as lucky as I have. I have experienced absolutely no problems with eating. I can eat anything. I wish the same for you!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Yep! October 2003. The main food that gives me problems is lettuce. Doctor can't understand it, but there it is. Also too much fat, like in creamy sauces or juicy cheeseburgers will send me running.

1 mom found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am with you...had mine out after my last kid, in 2008....I still have problems but have narrowed my biggest offenders down to eggs, salad and sometimes too much coffee!***All my favorite foods :(

~Everything still gives me very loose stools but these specific foods make me have stomach pains and have to rush to the bathroom within minutes of eating!

Wasn't that the worst pain EVER?? I had 3 attacks before I went to the ER...my sister found me kneeling/wiggling on my bathroom floor and was like..'C'mon, we are going to the ER'!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Shreveport on

Had mine out March of 2001 and still to this day have issues with a wide variety of foods. Most of them oddly enough are the healthy low fat foods. Go figure. For me I always carry around with me a bottle of Imodium..the generic stuff works just fine. I will take the dose within a few bites of a food I know will cause the problem or a new food I'm trying. It so far has been the only thing I have found that helps. Now I do agree it will get better with time. But like I have found out even 10 yrs later I have some issues.

1 mom found this helpful

R.C.

answers from Bakersfield on

Had mine taken out a couple years ago. I was 6 months pregnant with my first baby and it was the scariest thing ever for me. I have to stay away from dairy, greasy, fatty (yes even avocados) foods. I still get nauseated time to time. Since I had mine taken out I have had really bad heartburn too. Just have to be a little more cautious of what you eat. Feel better!

1 mom found this helpful

D.G.

answers from Lincoln on

I haven't had mine out but a real close friend did about a year ago. She has problems with most everything! She can't ever do pizza. We usually eat lunch out Saturdays after girls dance class - and withing 20 minutes eating she's to the bathroom and usually another time within half hour later! Sandwiches too not just greasy! I just asked her last week if some foods are better than others and she said no pretty much if she eats she has a trip to the bathroom! I think maybe everyone is different! and maybe it takes time for the body to adjust?!?

1 mom found this helpful

P.M.

answers from Honolulu on

I am 7 months out from having an emergency gallbladder removal myself. The first two months EVERYTHING set it off. It was not the most fun ever, but by now I can eat most things. Sometimes greasy stuff upsets my stomach and sometimes it doesn't. Try going bland; toast, egg whites, lean grilled chicken and yogurt. Don't freak too much, it takes a while for your body to adjust. Hang in there, I feel your pain momma!

1 mom found this helpful

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

Over time you will eat everything. Your body will adjust and even allow you fried food once a week.

This is what I did when I had the most awful Gall Bladder Colic for 7 days at the end of last year. Silicea 1M for three days in a row once a day. Stones are gone and now I do not eat any fried food.

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I had mine removed in 2006. At first, ANYTHING with fat in it, I would have to run to the bathroom. Now, I can pretty much eat anything and be fine. You have to give your body time to adjust. I think for me it took a couple months after.

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J.C.

answers from Seattle on

I had my gall bladder removed 4 years ago. I was told to avoid high fat foods (that was the only real instruction), but have definitely had my share of ice cream and chinese food (even right after the surgery) and have never had any issues...I don't eat fatty foods often, but I certainly have had them and have been fine.

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A.C.

answers from Springfield on

You might be the lucky like myself and not have any problems at all! Good luck! :)

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C.D.

answers from Portland on

I had mine out in October 2010. I ended up in the ER and had it removed 12 hours later. I had a stone that was trying to pass and it got stuck on the way out. I didn't realize that I was having gallbladder attacks because some of the medication I am on makes me constipated at times so I just figured that was what my problem was. I ate a really bland diet for about a week after and slowly eased into normal high fat, greasy, all around bad for you food and I haven't had a problem. I am stil on the medication so that might be why. I wish you the best and speedy recovery!!

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