How can I combat post-gallbladder-removal belly fat and weight gain during menopause?

I'm the one who began this thread topic in 2008. I'm now losing and regaining the same 10 pounds over and over again. I'm not on anti-depressants. I'm not on steroids. I am on levothyroxine and have been for 20 years. I never had a weight issue related to my thyroid gland or anything else. If I gained a few pounds here or there, I'd walk it off in a matter of days. No so with this weight gained post gallbladder removal. There was the initial "honeymoon period" which lasted about 3 months, during which I looked as if I needed some meat on my bones. And then came the meat! I'm nearly 5'7" and luckily I am a mesomorph: weight gain is evenly distributed due to my broad shoulders. I was an athlete all my life. Many athletes are mesomorphs. However, I do have an extra spare tire around my middle and it has nothing to do with my food intake, which is next to nothing. I've just invested in a "kit" via www.gallbladderattack.com -- today was my first day taking all the capsules and drinking the chocolate flavored powder. We shall see. In the past year I have been unable to get below 159 pounds. My normal, healthy weight is 130-145. I don't think I'd like to be 130 again. I'd look emaciated. But 145 would be great. As mentioned above, I continue to gain and lose the same 10-12 pounds. Today I weigh 168.5. Why? I have no idea. It hasn't a thing to do with food or exercise. I rescued a lovely dog so I'd be sure to exercise her, if not myself. We walk about 4 to 5 miles a day and I can't get below 159. I'm disgusted and I've lost all hope. I am eager to see if this $245 "kit" will help me lose weight. I'll give it every chance and all of my attention. But I remain furious with the surgeon who took out my gallbladder. He lied to me. He flat out lied to me and I wonder where he stands on upholding the Hippocratic oath: "First do no harm." He did harm, grievous harm as far as I'm concerned. Wishing you all very well. If you discover a "miracle" please don't hesitate to share!

Warm regards for my fellow sufferers ~

Beth

Just want to add my two cents worth. I had my gall bladder out in 2003. I have steadily gained 100 lbs. since then. It doesn't matter what I eat or don't eat. The doctor had the nerve to originally tell me I would probably loose weight after the surgery. It would be nice if they would get their heads out of their behinds.

I haven't had my gallbladder surgery yet.But I Know for a fact Any type of steroid will increase your weight.Low-fat diet or not.I even tried extensive excercising which eventually helped.But the truth is steroids stay in your system a long-time.

Hi fellow "lack of gall bladder" sufferers. The worst thing that has ever happened to my overall health was losing my gall bladder. "You don't need a gall bladder" is all my doctor would say as I was doubled over in agony from the pain, all caused by the low fat diet I was on I was told.

Anyhow, just thought I would mention one thing that has helped my digestion enormously and calmed down my poor old liver since the operation (which was 6 years ago) is kefir. I spent years since the op with terrible gastric reflux, bloating and wind. Then I started getting pain in my liver (I tried a green smoothie, thinking it would be good for me, never again, my liver went into freak out mode!!!) Went to the doc, had a liver analysis, all came back fine. I had just ordered some milk kefir grains to try, so thought I'd give them a go. Since kefir is a natural probiotic, full of enzymes, I was optimistic. Now, 6 months later, I no longer have any pain, wind, bloating, reflux or problems with my digestion. I now make water kefir from water kefir grains as well and drink this instead of soft drink. I only wish I had discovered kefir before my gall bladder was removed, it could have helped my digestion enormously.

I also had a large weight reduction in a short period of time and then was put on estrogen. My "queasy" symptoms and constipation increased for 13 years until my surgery at age 56. I have never had a history of "bellyfat" until this last 13 months since my gall bladder surgery. This extra weight has prevented me from walking, bending, or using my knees.
I have just tried Yoga but am also in a new stressful job which takes most of my time. My Dr never gave me a post-surgery diet to follow. I have eliminated one meal a day, but not by choice. I have not lost any weight.
I have also just been diagnosed with bladder cancer in May and can't rule out the chemo treatments as the culprit. I drink plenty of water and just started Fish Oil. I will try Lecithin and enzymes.

I am writting to say THANK YOU to all who have posted about weight gain after gallbladder removal. I sincerely thank you. I had a 25% ejection fraction, but no pain near gallbladder, but was still going to have it removed until I read your posts. Now I am searching for ways to kick start my gallbladder into a higher production. I will try artichoke pills, pile salts, enzymes for digestion, etc., but I WILL NOT have my gallbladder removed...thanks to all of you. I'm so sorry for you all having the weight issues. I am over my ideal weight too, but it is because I'm a couch potato and do not eat healthy foods--my own fault. Thank you again...and again.

I had my gall bladder out in 2004. Within three months, had put on weight but managed to keep it down to 15-20 pounds for the past few years. I exercise ALOT, marathons, endurance bike rides etc but nothing shifted the weight...until I went to a nutritionist who, upon me stating I had my gall bladder out, asked if I noticed weight gain. I was stunned and told her I thought it was an age thing. She suggested Licethin and Digestive Enzymes to aid in the breaking down and processing of the fat. As she put it, without the gallbladder, the fat just gets thrown into your body, your back, stomach etc. Three weeks into taking these two additional supplements and I have noticed a substantial weight loss by not changing anything in my diet or exercise routine. I have lost five pounds. I suspect that by end of year I will be back down to my pre-surgery weight. And yes, sciatic nerve pain and back pain increased post gall bladder surgery, but plenty of exercise helps me keep that all in check. So for anyone, particularly women, and peri-menopause ones at that, I can oly reccommend to go and see a properly certified Nutritionist who can make a world of difference. It was well worth my £60 and two hours of my time! Hope this has helped someone!

I had my gall bladder out in 2004. Within three months, had put on weight but managed to keep it down to 15-20 pounds for the past few years. I exercise ALOT, marathons, endurance bike rides etc but nothing shifted the weight...until I went to a nutritionist who, upon me stating I had my gall bladder out, asked if I noticed weight gain. I was stunned and told her I thought it was an age thing. She suggested Licethin and Digestive Enzymes to aid in the breaking down and processing of the fat. As she put it, without the gallbladder, the fat just gets thrown into your body, your back, stomach etc. Three weeks into taking these two additional supplements and I have noticed a substantial weight loss by not changing anything in my diet or exercise routine. I have lost five pounds. I suspect that by end of year I will be back down to my pre-surgery weight. And yes, sciatic nerve pain and back pain increased post gall bladder surgery, but plenty of exercise helps me keep that all in check. So for anyone, particularly women, and peri-menopause ones at that, I can oly reccommend to go and see a properly certified Nutritionist who can make a world of difference. It was well worth my £60 and two hours of my time! Hope this has helped someone!

I lost some more weight this week and know you all can do it too! Please don't be discouraged. After reading so many people who write about gaining, it's easy to get frustrated. It is not easy to lose after having gallbladder surgery. It takes more time but rapid weight loss is not healthy and it causes gallstones so maybe it's a blessing in disguise!

There are some other changes I had to make to lose weight that I forgot to mention in my prior post. In addition to a low fat vegan diet, I only eat organic food. Eating organic is VERY important because conventional foods contain stimulants/hormones/steroids that make the plants/animals get big, eat more and gain weight fast. The stimulants have the same effect on you. (That is why kids are so big now and why they are developing prematurely, and it is a problem). I avoid eating anything that is stored in plastic - this is not easy - because plastics contain endocrine disruptors. Store your foods in glass containers, drink water in glass bottles, take out in paper boxes, etc. I walk every day for at least 45 minutes.

My vitamin D was also low. My B12 was low along with all fat soluble vitamins. Also, many people test within normal limits for thyroid but still are borderline. I am *not^ endorsing any particular site or products but www.gallbladderattack.com makes a lot of sense to me. You don't even need to buy the products to benefit from the knowledge there. They have a section on thyroid as well. Supplementing fat soluble vitamins is vary important as is taking a good multivitamin DAILY. Without a gallbladder, compromised digestion means vitamin and mineral absorption is less than ideal.