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Hello, in October 2008 I was well into menopause but had no real issues with belly fat or overall weight gain. Then I had my gallbladder removed due to painful attacks of my common bile duct, as well as gallstones. I am appalled at the weight I have gained since the surgical procedure. In fact it is so upsetting (none of my clothes fit) that I feel at times clinically depressed. I've never had to fight weight gain before. Now I have an "unsupportive spine" as well, and must take occasional bouts of oral steroids to control the inflammation. I also have had two spinal epidural steroid injections, and wonder if these injections could cause me to gain weight. Any comments would be most welcome. Thank you!
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I tried the Jarrows Bile Salt and they were terrible for me. I had more diarrhea than ever before. I have never had constipation since my surgery just diarrhea and some vomiting along with bad stomach pains. So, when I took the bile salt I was expecting them to help, not make me worse. I stopped them after 5 days and I was (am) sad because I was really hoping they would help me to loose weight. I have gained 25 since my gallbladder surgery on March 31, 2009 and it's mostly around my mid-section. I want the weight to go back to my normal weight. I am only 4'11 and I am about 182. I am getting married in January and I want to be a beautiful bride, not an overweight one!
June 2, 2011 - 6:02amThis Comment
Oh my God, you poor dear. These surgeons should be shot! I just received a new supply of bile salts yesterday, and I will get back on them immediately. I too am totally freaked out by this weight gain, and the spare tire around my gut. I know I have muscles under there, I can feel them. But the belly fat and hip fat just keep piling on. I have a very physical job which should burn calories. I'll soon begin yoga and Zumba dance classes. I'm limiting my carbs and eating mostly lean protein. But I'm at my wit's end. And I also suffer from chronic constipation. It is NOT normal, your doctor is a fool! I am miserable, my upper right quadrant is sore and swollen and I had to go to the ER last week. My blood tests were normal. Doctors look at me like I'm crazy. Try ox bile/bile salts. I'm also going to try over-the-counter Xenical (Orlistat) which should help with constipation. Honestly, I am trying everything I can imagine. I wish I had more hopeful answers but it's been almost 2 years since I had my GB removed and I have struggled all of this time, with no real improvement over a long term basis. I'm very disheartened and angry at the medical community for not suggesting I may have this awful after effects. It's criminal!
June 1, 2011 - 2:06pmThis Comment
I had my gallbladder removed December 13, 2010. I've gained 40 pounds since then! I'm in a total panic and nothing I do seems to help. I'm severely constipated and the doctor told me it was normal not to have a bowel movement for 5 days - 2 weeks. Hello? Is he joking? I have to take 2 heaping capsules of Miralax DAILY and then barely something comes out. It feels like I'm carrying a concrete brick around in the front of me. Is there any answer for this? What can I do? I've started exercising more than I ever have and continue to eat non-fat (as I have for the last entire year before surgery & lost 77 pounds) and the scale just keeps moving up. When will it ever stop and is there a way to make it stop? I'm so freaked out I don't know what to do. I've reduced my food so much I feel sick all the time from the bile in my stomach. Yet, if I eat anything it adds calories. I'm in a vicious cycle. HELP PLEASE - I'm now searching for another doctor because this gastro is an idiot telling me that about bowel movements.
June 1, 2011 - 8:44amThis Comment
I had my galbladder takin out a little over a year ago, i am only 22 and im putting weight on too. ive tried it all to no prevail. i work out 2 hours straight at least 4 times a week, watch what i eat. all of it . its incredibaly frustrating, and too has caused me to feel depressed. so much my husband is worrying me about it. i have heard something about bile salt and that may help . so im going to try that. im just at a loss and dont know what to do. my doctors never mentioned this as a side effect.
May 9, 2011 - 7:09pmThis Comment
Hello there, I know precisely how you're feeling. Since my gallbladder was removed I've gone from a size 8 to a 12. All the extra weight is in my mid-section, about 15 pounds. I began taking bile salts about 9 months ago, and they really do help with bloating and digestion. I've not yet managed to lose this enormous spare tire, but I'm beginning to ask myself, "How hard are you really trying Beth?" My exercise has been sporadic lately because I have other health issues related to lupus. Exercise helps me feel better overall, but I have been a bit depressed due to my boyfriend's job loss, and my need to carry the financial burdens while working 3 jobs, 2 of which are sedentary: online teaching, and medical transcription. I also have a very distorted sleeping schedule, and this "shift work" leaves my body feeling unbalanced. I roam around the house and snack at night, because I usually begin work online at 5 or 6am. Bile salts, however, do help. I've just not purchased more recently, but I will reorder them from Amazon. Jarrow's Bile Salts and a supplement called Cholacoal are the supplements I take before every meal (when I remember) and I do notice a difference. Why not try them for a month and check back in? Best of luck to you. ~ Beth
May 10, 2011 - 3:08amThis Comment
Hi.
May 4, 2011 - 3:18pmI had my gall bladder removed exactly one year ago. I put on all the weight I had lost before my surgery. I had a physically demanding job, and a toddler. I could barely drink alcohol without severe discomfort. I was actually vomiting before my surgery, too . I was feeling bad but looking quite trim.
Now I moved to a cold climate, drink and eat whatever. I'm not feeling fit but trying to change that. However, This bulge in my stomach is not normal. I know how I look at this weight cuz I've fought weight all my life and this "spare tire" is frighteningly round and out of place. Thanks,Jacki M. (Portland Or)
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Up day today, but only by .8 lbs ; 2700 calories consumed yesterday, including a dinner at OUTBACK Steakhouse, which included cheese fries as appetizer, a full bottle of wine, and a bowl of ice cream before bed.
His plan today is to hit about 2500 calories with no wine & see what happens.
Moderately Bloated today.
Should this be moved to a dedicated thread? I'm only continuing to share here because I think it may have the potential to help someone else. In any event, I'll post less frequent updates (unless something spectacular happens) so as not to clutter up this thread, which may have already run its course.
January 28, 2011 - 12:05pmThis Comment
So what happened with your friend?
June 12, 2012 - 4:45pmThis Comment
IMPORTANT POINT: The bloating has not decreased significantly even though his weight is dropping. The following statements best sum up what is going on right now:
1. Since his gall bladder was removed in 2005, he has never experienced such dramatic successive weight drops, nor has he experienced such an ongoing weight loss trend (15 days now). More typical weight losses would usually be followed by even greater weight gains.
2. The only changes during this past 15 days are related to exercise, diet, and medication. He stopped exercising (because he hurt his back-muscle spasm). He's eating more, and eating more fats & carbohydrates. He was prescribed medications for his muscle spasms...he's now off the meds & is stepping down on the prednisone).
I mentioned he's still somewhat bloated. His plan is to continue his eating habits without exercising at all and if/when his weight drops to where he wants it to be (about another 12-20 lbs). Then he will work on keeping it stable. He plans to keep a detailed log of calories (& sources of protein, fats & carbs), then introduce exercise again. When he reintroduces exercise he will increase his calories accordingly to see if his weight is maintained, all the while noting his state of "bloat". If the bloat is not resolved by experimenting with different types of foods, then he will try the Victoza medication once again (he had some success with that medication in the past).
I hope this information helps someone else.
Should I take this to a different dedicated thread, or perhaps to a different website?
Of Interest: His weight only dropped a little from yesterday (less than 1 lb)...only difference is he didn't have any ice cream last night-he had yogurt instead. I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin!
January 27, 2011 - 9:02amThis Comment
Another down day!!! (nearly 4 lbs down overnight last night)
Ed consumed 2000 calories yesterday. These calories include a (self described) Large bowl of ice cream.
Overview of recent weight loss:
Avg weight for most of year 2010: mid 250's, avg daily calories consumed 1200 calories per day; exercise; moderate involving weights & walking.
Weight on Jan 10 was 254
Weight today is 238
Avg calories consumed from Jan 10 to present: 2500 calories / day (some days 2000, other days 3000....variable)
January 26, 2011 - 8:45amExcercise from Jan 10 to present: NONE
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