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

Alison, beth and everyone else
I have the knowledge and the know how of dietitian, but maybe talking to someone else would help me figure it out. I have lost 7lbs in a month. I am able to maintain the weight that I lost but I am at a plateu. after keeping a food jurnal to help me figure out what I am eating or not eating. I decided to cut red meat from my diet. This has helped me lose the first 7lbs. I will eat some every once in a while, since my husband is from Omaha its hard to not like steak from Nebraska. Also cutting red meat, butter, greesy, fatty foods have helped a lot of the other issues that I have experienced. Like the gross bowls or upset tummy, and some pain.

My next step is to hit a high protien diet. I started to do it, but relapsed back in November do to holidays... I didn't gain during the holidays which I am proud of. But now its time to get back to the gym, and trick my body. Even though I was highly active before the gym with the line of work I do. I found that adding something new to the mix helps a lot even with the emotional stress, and the other stressors of life and just throwing my body out of its comfort level.

I lost the 7lbs with in a month that I started my food journal. The food journal helped me, because not only did I keep track of what I ate but how I felt, and how my bowls were. found out that my favorite mexcain food I shouldnt have unless I am up for the tummy issues. But it makes you aware of what you are really doing. I am still upset that I am 23 lbs overweight and that the doctors said things would be back to normal. Now almost 2 years later I am finally able to say its okay if it takes time, as long as it comes off. Before I wanted it off fast it is just not possible if you can't devote every hour to your health and a mother of 2 under 5years who really can do that. Unless your on the biggest loser and I am not big enough to be on the show.

I hope some of this helps you. I ll tune back in and let you know about the high protien. Which it always worked for me as an athlete. "Muscle burns more fat, protien helps build muscle.."

Hi Danielle, well, I really think that Jarrow's Bile Salts helped me. I lost 10 pounds almost at once. But I've spent the holidays eating and gaining weight, and I now weight a whopping 158 pounds, more than any of my pregnancies. I will re-order the bile salts from Amazon and I'm quite sure they'll help me again. I was amazed but stupidly forgot to re-order. Luckily I am a mesomorph, so that when I am heavy at least the weight is evenly distributed. I have broad shoulders and have been an athlete all my life. People are shocked when I tell them how much I weigh. It's nearly 30 pounds over my ideal weight, and I hate it. But I'm weary of beating myself up, and I am furious that I was not told of the possible consequences of this seemingly simple surgery. I'm now between a size 10 and 12, up from a 6-8. I'm 5'7" tall, so this helps me not look as heavy as I am. I do tend to gain weight in the winter because I cannot engage in my favorite exercise in 18 degree weather and snow up to my hips. Soon I will return to California and when I get there I'll really tackle this issue. Jarrow's Bile Salts, give them a try. I also eat a low to non-fat diet, and try to spread my meals into 5 small ones as opposed to 3 meals daily. I'm fit, but I'm 30 pounds overweight and not one bit happy about it! Keep working at it. You're young and your metabolism is not quite as set in its ways as mine. Good luck! Beth

Bile Salts really worked for me. The bloating went down, I was simply amazed. Thanks for the reminder, I must order more of them. They are affordable and have a good feedback rating by other users. My culprit foods are starches and aged cheeses. And sadly, wine. Which is a drag because I live in the Sonoma Valley of California and I love special wines and cheeses, but I really have to watch it. Pasta blows me up like a zeppelin but I'm fine with most other foods, and as long as I take the bile salts I can eat what I call my "naughty foods" in moderation. I was amazed at my waistline, it really went down. Then I forgot to reorder the bile salts and I'm thick around the middle again, but hey, there's hope!! I am living proof of this. If the bile salts didn't work, I would tell you. They really helped me a lot. What are your trigger foods?

I am still incensed with the surgeon. I went from 135 to 159 pounds in what seemed like a heartbeat. It was devastating. Thank heavens for bile salts. I hope they work for you! Please let me know your results.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!!

Beth

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I had my gall badder removed a couple last month ago. Someone recently asked me if I was putting on weight. The scale confirmed this to be true. I've never had a weight issue before. Looks like I will have to rethink my diet now & start an exercise regiment :(

I have heard Steroids can definitely cause weight gain so all your steroid shots may be the culprate rather than your gall bladder being removed? Good luck!