Diarrhea after gallbladder removal?

Posted , 77 users are following.

I had my gallbladder removed January 25th. Been ok... i didn't really eat the first 3 days. Now that I'm eating 'normally' I'm having some stomach issues still after eating, I get diarrhea with in minutes of finishing a meal, I'm always hungry after! I feel like my food goes right through me... it's depressing that I can't even go out to dinner with my family at a restaurant because I have to run to the bathroom after I eat. Forget about car rides! I have to stop a gas stations sometimes to relive myself. It's so embarrassing! Not to mention inconvenient! Someone help! Is anyone else experiencing this!

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  • Posted

    Michael Blatter was removed one year ago. I have always had problems with diarrhea and other stomach issues basically my whole life. I have urgent constant diarrhea. My doctor did prescribe cholestyramine. It does stop the diarrhea and I do notice after I take it it helps for a few days. I don't take it all the time but everything I'm reading on here says I should ? I have found mixing it with red gator aid is the most pleasant way to get it down ! Doesn't seem to matter what I eat. I constantly have diarrhea ."white" food is the least irritating now. Rice, white Bread, pasta etc. , I do have depression pretty bad as well , So I guess my point is everyone is not alone on this issue ! Anyone been on the cholestyramine For a long time? I just tons me out to have to take another medication everyday good looking to see feedback on long term users , thanks!!

    • Posted

      I've taken it since 2009.  You need to take it every day.  

    • Posted

      Ive Found that taking metamucil powder daily and a half of a caltrate tablet with my food helps with the diarreah, both you can get at most stores , I had my gallbladder out in December and have had diarreah since, tried cholestermine and the side effects were awful, made me real sick.my gastro told me sometimes it takes up to 2 years for your system to get back on track and for some people it never does, maybe give it a try it's helped me

    • Posted

      The diarrhoea two years post removal is spasmodic,sometimes more just loose stools but i have started having the pain back between the shoulder blades and dont know why. I do have hiatius henia. I also have depression and anxiety too for all this time, not responding to anti deps. My diet is basically fodmap, no gluten, wheat or dairy, and of course no fats.  Just wondering if i could try the caltrate as some seem to have success on it.  
  • Posted

    I want to thank you all for this post and all of your contributions.  I had my gallbladder out about 5 years ago.  And over the last couple of years I have developed a severe case of having diarrhea after eating.  I could not find anything online and thought that it was the cause of a food allergy.  Luckily, my wife found this post and others symptoms matched mine perfectly which caused me to make an appointment with my gastro doc.  When describing my symptoms to the doctor, he immediately prescribed Cholestrymine which has stopped my issues.  Thank you all so much for your contributions.  It is so nice to get back to feeling normal.  
    • Posted

      Good to know that you've found something that helps--and that will get you your life back!

    • Posted

      Hi my name is Jennifer I had my gallbladder removed June 2017 I still have very bad smelling diarrhea n nausea went to doctors and was told there was nothing to do for it because I smoke that makes me have the diarrhea n nausea so if I quit the the problem will stop I stop smoking for a month n nothing had changed
    • Posted

      I have had the d too.  Frequent loose smelly stools and some days nausea.  I do not smoke.  I think you need to see another dr to discuss this, there are meds which they can five tomhelp the problem, its called post gallbladder syndrome.
    • Posted

      Hi Jennifer,

      You’re not alone. The nausea and diarrhea come and go. I’m a smoker as well and had the same issues. I actually really struggled after the surgery. I will be honest, don’t smoke right after meals that will help some of it, but some of it is just not having the gallbladder. Do yourself a huge favor and try essential daily enzymes (it’s either daily essential or essential daily). It’s a digestive enzyme. I was recommended by other gallbladder removal patients and it’s been a life saver for me. That was the first time I really started feeling better following the surgery. It helps your body break down the food to put less stress on your stomach, liver, and pancreas since it now has to work without the gallbladder. If you also waited a long time to have the surgery you could still be dealing with the stomach issues caused by bile reflux so you can always talk to your doc about trying a dose of omperazole. Most importantly the digestive enzymes will help make sure you’re actually absorbing nutrients from the food you eat. I experienced a lot of anemia and vitamin malabsorbtion after. You can take it up to three times a day but I try to only use them twice, one before each big meal with water. But I would recommend being on them for a long time. It will help with the recovery and to be honest your body will probably need it. I tried to do without for awhile and absolutely couldn’t. The other question I have for you, did you have gallstones? Because I think what most people dismiss after the surgery is why their gallbladder failed. That’s what you need to figure out and just so you know if you go back to a heavy fat diet it can cause fatty liver or liver cirrhosis which can make you feel even worse. If it’s just nausea and you’re not jaundiced you are more than likely suffering just from the adjustment though. Gallbladder issues and removal is most definitely the most difficult life experience I’ve ever been through. I’m 29 have always eaten healthy and played soccer 4 nights a week before I started having issues and this totally changed my whole life. It’s been 7+ months and I still can’t return to sports because I’m still fighting to get back on my feet from it. 

    • Posted

      Lynda, is this something I would have to take everyday or could I start right before my trip? I just don’t want to be in an airport or plane and have this happen. Thanks 
    • Posted

      The usual instruction is to take it every evening at bed time. Cholestyramine is a resin that binds to the excess bile, which drips into your small intestine, daily.  You need to work with your body to establish a regular pattern using the medication.  Bile is an extremely caustic acid, so it's not good to allow it to remain in your body without doing something to bind it to stop its effects.  

    • Posted

      Welchol works for diarrhea after gall bladder surgery...has nothing to do with smoking....I had my gb removed feb 10th 2017 and Welchol has been a godsend
  • Posted

    Hello, i'm 16 and iv'e had my guallbladder removed when i was 13/14, ive had this kind of problem and ive had to put up with that for 3 years, In which, I had guall stones before removal, it sucks because i can never eat the foods that i can with friends or at school especially, i did have depression and refused to eat, ive seen my doctor in which he could not do anything but give me a low fat diet, you're not alone and im sure everyone in these comments prove that.  

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