Goodbye gallbladder, hello low-fat foods
Column from 5/10/06:
Six weeks from now, I’m going to celebrate with a big cheesy omelet, bacon, peanut butter on white-bread toast and greasy hash browns. Well, I hope so, anyway.
Two weeks ago today, as you were (hopefully) reading my last column, I was lying on the operating table, losing my gallbladder. And along with my gallbladder, I lost a lot of food options from my diet.
Turns out, a gallbladder, which I had never given much thought to before, is responsible for helping you digest fat. When you start to get gallstones, they interfere with that process. Sometimes very painfully so, as I found out.
When you have gallstones, you can have symptoms such as a steady, awful pain in the upper abdomen that can last several hours. Some people have told me it’s worse than childbirth. I have no comparison, but I can tell you it’s the worst pain I have ever felt in my life — I cried, and I don’t cry at pain easily. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, gas, indigestion, bloating and a bunch of other great stuff, usually after a fatty meal.
Luckily, getting rid of my gallbladder is supposed to fix all that.
However, after the surgery (which I found out about only two days in advance), I almost panicked when I read down the diet guidelines the doctor gave me for the next six weeks, or about the amount of time my body would need to adjust to not having my gallbladder.
I need to avoid fatty foods, obviously. But I had no idea what that would entail. Most cheeses are out. No cream cheese. No peanut butter. Little to no butter and oil. No lunchmeat. No whole eggs (egg whites are OK). Nothing fried. Most salad dressings — out. No chocolate. Did I say no peanut butter?
My husband went shopping the day after my surgery to restock our kitchen, since almost everything in it was off-limits. The groceries he brought home were disappointing in variety — low-fat chicken noodle soup, tuna fish, crackers, oranges and fat-free yogurt.
I’ve tried to add variety since last week, but my stomach’s still not up to it. Making fajitas the other night with just the tiniest bit of oil in the pan had my stomach upset all night. The nutrition guidelines at a certain expensive fast-food restaurant were annoyingly off — the supposedly low-fat rotisserie chicken with no skin was anything but.
But I’ve learned to take joy in small victories. My husband was so happy when he returned from grocery shopping to inform me that I could still have salsa (no fat) and chips (low-fat).
I can still order the No. 2 combo at Chik-fil-A if I substitute fruit for fries. I can have all the jam that I want — it’s fat-free. I made a pork loin roast with garlic, herbs and wine on Sunday, and my stomach stayed itself.
And I’ve taken great delight in a vegetarian/vegan Web site I’ve found online at fatfree.com. It has recipes for things such as fat-free corn bread (made with creamed corn to make it moist) and mashed potatoes (substituting chicken broth and herbs for butter), two things I knew I would miss a lot.
This is forcing me — and by association — my husband, to eat better. I’m also more aware of how much fat is in food than I was a week ago, and I have a feeling that awareness will continue long after the six weeks is up.
Right after I have that cheesy omelet with a side of greasy hash browns.
***
To all of you who have called or sent e-mail during the past few weeks, I promise to get back to you this week. Thank you for your patience.
And to all of the nurses (who recognized me) at High Point Surgery Center, thanks for making it a great hospital stay. (There was even a pull-out couch for my husband to sleep on that night.)
If you have to have surgery, I highly recommend the center. The nurses were efficient and courteous, and the food was even bearable.
Comments (29)
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Sounds like you got stuck with many of the bad side effects of the surgery, but I want your readers to know that those don't affect everyone. I had my gall bladder removed in November 2004, with no adverse side effects. I am a vegetarian, but I do eat dairy and eggs, so while I don't eat tons of animal fat, I do eat some, plus plenty of veggie oils and nuts. I didn't need to change my diet at all after the surgery. I hope your body adjusts quickly! Best wishes.
Posted on May 14, 2006 4:57 PM
I HAVE LOTS OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAD MY GALL BLADDER REMOVED IN 2004. I DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO EAT ANYTHING WITHOUT ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS...IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN :( I NEED SOME INFO ON WHAT KINDS OF FOOD TO EAT. THANKS, DIANE
Posted on July 19, 2006 8:59 PM
I was begining to feel like to only one, I have been going on with this gallstone problem for about 5 months now and just recently found out that gallstones was my problem, went to ER and they said it was a pulled back muscle, ( I have had kids,3, and I would rather have 10 more than go through this pain), they gave me pain pills to take and that was the end of it, now 4 1/2 months later and I am on my kitchen floor screaming and crying my husband took me to another ER and they checked me out and told me the wonderfull news that all I was going to eat form now on is baked chicken, and rice, BORING!!!!! I love food. So now I am trying to find out what I can tolerate and what I can't, a salad with no dressing is nasty. so I want to thank you for your words of encouragement and seeing that you still can eat regular foods just cooked differently.
Posted on August 25, 2006 5:54 PM
Hi All,
My name is David. My Mom needs to have her gall bladder removed or does she? Is it a smart thing to do or can she say it.
Posted on December 18, 2006 1:00 AM
Hi Mel,
wow, it's great to read this story - someone else who is having post gall bladder surgery issues :-)
Looking at the date, this was back in May 06. I had my gall bladder out Nov 06 (7 weeks ago) and have still to learn what I can and cannot eat. If I eat wrong I seem to feel ill for a couple of days. Do you find that?
I am wondering if your stomach has learned to deal with fats better as time has gone on? I am hoping that this will be the case, because I too am looking forward to some yummy fat foods in a few months time.
Please let me know how you are doing and tell me things will get better for me!
Posted on December 30, 2006 11:05 PM
my mother has gallstones and a bad heart. Her DR. says she needs it out but she would not survive the operation. Any advice?
Posted on January 27, 2007 11:48 PM
mel u are very pretty but a tad chubby, u no what i mean? like a bit on the fat side!!
lots of love ur bestest friend
!!!!!
Posted on March 26, 2007 7:13 PM
Dear Mel
Dont you listen to a word Jilly says, you are a beautiful young lady with so much to offer, and you are not FAT! Your gallstones story was inspirational!Keep up the good work
Peter
Posted on March 26, 2007 7:37 PM
Thanks, Peter, but it would take more than an anonymous internet troll to get to me. Although it is amusing to me that you have the same IP address as Jilly. Coincidence?
And to those who asked -- yes, it does get better as time goes on. I don't have many problems now, just with a few select foods.
Posted on March 26, 2007 8:11 PM
I just had my gall bladder removed while on a trip to Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. I still have a lot of pressure in my chest (or upper chest). I am taking prilosec, but still feel very much like I did before going in to the er.
Any suggestions?
Posted on March 27, 2007 2:50 PM
mel i have the same IP adress as jilly because jilly and i are married. i am quite ashamed of her behaviour. she has too much time on her hands and can sometimes be very horrible.
u sound like a very strong lady, i admire ur courage.
no hard feelings!!
pete xoxx
Posted on March 28, 2007 8:23 PM
I had my gull bladder removed when I was 16 back in may of 2002. Ive had nothing but trouble with gaining weight, losing weight ,then gaining it again. I'm just wondering if there is a website or something of foods to avoid post gallbladder surgery. very inspirational story by the way.
yolanda
Posted on April 2, 2007 9:11 AM
Well this has been a most interesting read. I went in for a cardio screening and the good news was my heart and arteries are in great shape but they noticed that my gallbladder is enlarged. I have just started looking for answers to my questions...you know are there alternatives, different kinds of treatments instead of having one's gallbladder taken out. One of my major questions is how does your body deal with digesting fat if the gallbladder is gone. My Mom had her gallbladder removed when she was in her late 40's and I remember she initially, had some issues with her diet but she lived to her mid 80's eating pretty much what she wanted.
Does anyone know if after a period of time the body learns to deal with fat that hasn't been broken down by bile? So does this mean that cholesterol will become an issue?
Exactly how bad do the symptoms have to get before they make the call to take in out?
Hang in there Mel, my Mom liked using lots of butter and she was an excellent cook and baker.
Pattie
Posted on April 26, 2007 10:37 PM
I looked at the alternatives, and it seemed like the ones I could do would just be temporary fixes or take months or years to make a difference.
Here is an interesting article on preventing future gallbladder attacks, if you want to try that first: http://alternative-medicine-and-health.com/conditions/gallprobs.htm
It's been about a year since my surgery, and I'm back to eating almost completely normally now. There are still a few things that make me sick, but I've learned to avoid them for the most part. Your body learns to adjust to digesting things without your gallbladder; it's just a shorter path is all.
Posted on April 26, 2007 10:53 PM
I had the surgery to have my gall bladder removed and all I notice is more constipation.
Posted on May 12, 2007 3:44 PM
I had suffered from flu-like symptoms on and off ( mostly on ) for a 4 months, as well as the nausea,bloating,and pain on right side that extended into my back and up my spine. I went to one doctor who thought it was an ulcer (duh?) but I was not convinced, so I sought a second opinion. This doctor was great, thought gallbladder immediately, so ran blood tests and ultrasound. Results showed elevated liver enzymes and enlarged spleen and liver but no stones. They thought it could be cancer, ran more tests, finally found I had cytomegalo virus and Epstein Barr virus. After three months of suffering I started to feel better, but then it started up again one day with the right-side pain, nausea and flu-like aches and discomfort. I thought the viruses were flaring up again, as it is possible, so I waited two months, finally went back. Had a hida scan, found gallbladder working only at 10%. Had it removed a week later and at first, all flu-like aches and chills were gone. I had the regular discomfort, not much appetite, but thought I was recovering better. Now it has been a month since the surgery and I am feeling flu-like again. I get chills and the right side where the gallbladder was hurts at times not related to eating. No symptoms seem to relate to food, especially since I can't even eat much because I just feel sick. Does anyone else feel sick like this after having their gallbladder out?
Posted on May 21, 2007 12:14 AM
I had suffered from flu-like symptoms on and off ( mostly on ) for a 4 months, as well as the nausea,bloating,and pain on right side that extended into my back and up my spine. I went to one doctor who thought it was an ulcer (duh?) but I was not convinced, so I sought a second opinion. This doctor was great, thought gallbladder immediately, so ran blood tests and ultrasound. Results showed elevated liver enzymes and enlarged spleen and liver but no stones. They thought it could be cancer, ran more tests, finally found I had cytomegalo virus and Epstein Barr virus. After three months of suffering I started to feel better, but then it started up again one day with the right-side pain, nausea and flu-like aches and discomfort. I thought the viruses were flaring up again, as it is possible, so I waited two months, finally went back. Had a hida scan, found gallbladder working only at 10%. Had it removed a week later and at first, all flu-like aches and chills were gone. I had the regular discomfort, not much appetite, but thought I was recovering better. Now it has been a month since the surgery and I am feeling flu-like again. I get chills and the right side where the gallbladder was hurts at times not related to eating. No symptoms seem to relate to food, especially since I can't even eat much because I just feel sick. Does anyone else feel sick like this after having their gallbladder out?
Posted on May 21, 2007 12:14 AM
I had my gall bladder removed about 2-3 yrs ago. BEST THING I EVER DID! I don't regret it one bit. I was in SO much pain, curled up on the floor crying/screaming in pain. I've had 3 kids c-section, and I'd rather have 4 more that way than go through that again! I never had any digestive problems at all. I even tried a greesy cheese and peperoni pizza two weeks after surgery and had no problems at all. Today I eat the same things I ate before with no problems.
From what I understand, the gall bladder only stores the bile that digests fat. The liver makes it, and stores it in the gall bladder until you need it. So if there is no gall bladder, your liver makes the bile and dumps it directly into the small intestine. So the bile to digest fat is still available, it just may not always be available when your body needs it. I may be wrong, but I'm sure that's what my dr. told me.
Anyway, with so many people posting on here that they have had problems, I thought I'd let you know I've had no problems whatsoever and I am 100% satisfied with getting that thing out of me.
Posted on May 28, 2007 9:33 AM
Dee, I am having almost exact symptoms you had for for about 2 months now. Had a HIDA scan, my gallbladder working at 15%. Today, the doctor asks me to have it removed. After reading your post, I am hesitated to have it removed. Is it possible something else going on besides the gallbladder? Could you please update your latest situation?
Posted on May 30, 2007 2:18 PM
Dee, I am having almost exact symptoms you had for for about 2 months now. Had a HIDA scan, my gallbladder working at 15%. Today, the doctor asks me to have it removed. After reading your post, I am hesitated to have it removed. Is it possible something else going on besides the gallbladder? Could you please update your latest situation?
Posted on May 30, 2007 2:18 PM
Wendy,
Sorry it took so long for my response. Do not hesitate in getting that gallbladder out! About 2 weeks after my previous posting I started feeling better, and I am truly feeling great now. I think it is different for everyone, and it took me about 7 weeks total to not feel flu-like and nauseous all the time. I am now feeling renewed energy and like my old self again. I am so glad I did it. I was worried when I last posted because no one else I had heard of ever seemed to have the same kind of "slow" deterioration of the gallbladder, but would have an attack of some sort instead. My doctor told me on a follow-up appt that I had sandlike stones that would take a while to clear out, so I think now I have cleared it out and I feel great! In my opinion, take it out--it is diseased and can no longer function as it should, but you can do without it. I can eat nearly anything I want now, although I tend to stay away from juicy burgers and ice-cream for now. Good luck, and let me know how you are doing!
Posted on June 26, 2007 5:20 PM
Sorry---not Wendy,but Eric! I got confused because of the double posting. So sorry!!! I hope everything is ok with you!
Posted on June 26, 2007 5:23 PM
I'm 17 and just had my gallbladder removed a week ago and I'm glad I did. At first the doctors were hesitant about removing my gallbladder but when they got it out they found not only an infection but adhesions on the outside as well as pancrease inflammation caused by gallstones. So even though eating is hard not to mention the cramps I'm getting it could have been a lot worse for me and the doctors would have had no idea what was wrong, so bottom line is if your worried about surgery admittedly it can be hard but the alternatives aren't really worth it. sorry for the speel
Tara
Posted on July 4, 2007 12:53 AM
Hi there - I am from the UK. Just had my gall bladder out and no information was given to me at all. I am trying to work out what I am supposed to eat and drink - or not! I have to take out the pips from fruit/tomatoes etc. I only knew that from trial and error. I would like to know if there is anyone else to give me more information and let me know what I can do and cant do? I have lost a bit of weight through this and I would appreciate that if you/or anyboby could give me any advice regarding gallbladder removal I would appreciate it and I will get to you. Do I avoid dairy foods? At the moment I have to drink black coffee and tea with sugar and not sweetner. I cannot tolerate dairy products at all? Please if anyone has advice could you let me know via email kazhatfield@hotmail.com. Many thanks to you all. Karen Matthews - Dorset UK.
Posted on July 21, 2007 5:20 PM
Hi there - I am from the UK. Just had my gall bladder out and no information was given to me at all. I am trying to work out what I am supposed to eat and drink - or not! I have to take out the pips from fruit/tomatoes etc. I only knew that from trial and error. I would like to know if there is anyone else to give me more information and let me know what I can do and cant do? I have lost a bit of weight through this and I would appreciate that if you/or anyboby could give me any advice regarding gallbladder removal I would appreciate it and I will get to you. Do I avoid dairy foods? At the moment I have to drink black coffee and tea with sugar and not sweetner. I cannot tolerate dairy products at all? Please if anyone has advice could you let me know via email kazhatfield@hotmail.com. Many thanks to you all. Karen Matthews - Dorset UK.
Posted on July 21, 2007 5:20 PM
Hi im Rachel I had my gall bladder taken out in may and im only 21. It wasnt taken out for stones though. It was taken out because when they did my HIDA scan my ejection rate was 5.7%. But they only found this out after I had been sick and in pain for a year and a half. I too have been having problems since thay have taken it out. I have been only able to eat low fat foods and I am not able to put any weight on. They said I could eat normally after it was out but i quickely learned that was impossible. How long did it take you to get back to eating normally, if you gotten there yet?
Posted on August 7, 2007 5:04 PM
Use a bile salt supplement!!
Posted on August 14, 2007 10:21 AM
Use a bile salt supplement!!
Posted on August 14, 2007 10:22 AM
I just had my gallbladder taken out about 4 weeks ago and am also struggling to find that "happy balance" for my diet. I have found a number of low-fat noodle and soup bowls (if you have a Trader Joe's, you can find some great ones there!), but made the mistake of eating along my old habits over the weekend (and paying for it).
A few of you have mentioned a few "never again" foods - can you share those? FYI, I'm also lactose-intolerant as well as allergic to shellfish. Joy!
Posted on August 20, 2007 12:57 PM