supplements (if any) post cholecystectomy

Some people take ox bile and enzymes because they believe it helps their digestion after gallbladder removal.   They feel their body produces less bile/enzymes than necessary.  However, bile is released into the small intestine by the liver, not the stomach.  (If one has too much bile it can back up into the stomach.)  Those who need these supplements swear by them. But some people, like me, have too much bile.  So taking bile and enzymes would make them more ill. I tried enzymes and that's what happened to me.

Some people will say "everyone" needs them after gallbladder surgery but I think that's untrue.     

Lynda, I’m not sure why DTFSA is worried about weight loss. Gallbladder removal is not suppose to be done for weight reduction. I agree with you that all these ox bile and enzymes are usually a way for someone to make money from a postop, scared patient. It amazes me that so many people were not given specific, detailed diet instructions. My physician gave me 3 pages of what I could and could not eat. The live is not use to having all the bile produced by the body trying to be processed through it. That is the reaso for a low or no fat diet until the body can adjust to 2 things … an organ with an important function being removed and the fact that he liver has to perform a function it is not use to. I’m so sorry your recovery seems to have been going on for a while. Do feel like you have turned the corner and are on the way to “a more normal life”.  

Its been almost 10 weeks since my surgery nad had to ny gastrointestinal doctor last week because I am still having extremely pure liquid diarrhea. All blood work appeared to be almost back to normal but she is worried I have C Dif. We are waiting on a comprehensive stool culture. I had taken antibiotics for a terrible sinus infection several months before my surgery. But since I had anemia due to an iron deficiency and my blood counts were low I would be more susceptible to the C Dif. I never thought I would EVER want to gain weight. LOL. You might want to go on line to WebMD.com if you have questions about any problems you might still be experiencing. It is an unbelievable site with a section for physicians and one for non medical people. It has a wonderful gallbladder diet and will pretty much answer any question anyone could possibly have about any medical disease or issue. Good luck and I hope you continue to heal. 

Hi, Wanda,

Thanks for your post.  You had a great MD, so I am wondering if you are in the US?  In the UK, people usually see a gp and then a surgeon.  Both of them are usually clueless about digestion.  I am lucky to have a gastro guy, too.  I sure hope you don't have C Diff.  You might want to try probiotics to rebuild your gut bacteria.  

I visit the site you mentioned all the time.  

I am on medication because I produce too much bile, and it appears that my body has stopped making the hormone to allow it to be reabsorbed at the end of digestion.  It's not fun.  

If you have bile acid malabsorption, your stools will be surrounded by yellow bile.  You can get a prescription for this.  xx

Hi Lynda, yes I am in the US. I saw my internist on a Friday, he ordered an U/S for Monday, saw the General Surgeon on Friday and surgery following Wednesday. I saw the surgeon one week later and was discharged to either my internist or my gastro dr. Fortunately I don’t have C Dif but she wants a CAT scan and possibly a pill cam (which is really weird). You swallow a capsule with a teeny tiny camera inside and it takes pictures from when you swallow it til it comes out it’s journeys end! She says it is extremely helpful in diagnosing severe diarrhea and excessive weight loss. Maybe she’ll give me some copies of the pictures like she did a couple of years ago when I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy, in color no less. I can have a separate photo album of just my insides. LOL 😂 she ordered Welchol today to take 3 times a day but my insurance has decided not to cover payment for it so I can pay about $300 for 30 days or I can wait another week and have it shipped from the UK for about $200 for 3 months. 

I hope you are doing better and continuing to improve. May I’ll write Santa 🎅 to bring me a  cork if this hasn’t stopped.  Wanda

thank you so much x

Your a maverick.

mine was gangrene and some,so I figure more healing time in my case anyway.

what do you think probiotics or ox lie and enzymes?

regards.

I just replied to your post.  My computer's acting up.  I think that everyone needs to let their system settle after surgery.  So, 6-8 weeks, eating small meals. Avoiding large amounts of fat, but eating small amounts of good fat when necessary, such as butter from grass fed cows, cooking in coconut or virgin olive oil. Look on line for the fodmap diet.  I use lactose free milk, too. It works for me.

I take a probiotic available in the US, that provides bacterial cultures that work in the digestive system and gut (for digestion and immunity) and my vagina to keep my vaginal flora in balance. I take it every day.  

What I don't take are products like enzymes or ox bile. If you're curious, I would suggest that you research whether these actually work on the internet.  I also don't take stuff said to clean the liver.  They're too harsh. And they're heavily marketed, which makes me suspicious.  I have taken one supplement said to help the liver gently.  If you send me a private message, I'll tell you what I take. xx  

Just buy a yogurt maker.  You can get tons of live culture into you then.  Eat fruit (apple, banana, strawberries, blueberries) and your home made yogurt at least once a day.  dont pay shedloads of cash for your yog maker. We paid GB£ 10 for ours.  look in the supermarket for live yogurt to use as the starter. We (UK again, sorry)  use yeo valley.  I also eat activia probiotic yog to vary the bugs i am eating, and yakult.

i am on antibiotics just now and the above stops me getting diarrhoea.

Hi, Ken, thanks for your suggestions.  Unfortunately, due to digestive problems, they won't work for me.  The supplement I use is the only one that doesn't make me ill. Thanks again, though.  

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