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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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Hello, I am so sorry you're going through this hell. It has now been 2 years since my gallbladder was removed, and I too wish I'd never had the surgery. I've gained no less than 20 pounds. No sooner do I lose 5 pounds than it resurfaces, always around my girth. Recently I have begun to experience horrendous bloating. I don't know what to eat and am becoming a nervous wreck when my sweet husband (a wonderful chef) asks me what I'd like for dinner. I've stopped all visible forms of animal fat: any meat is trimmed and chicken is skinned. I don't eat butter. I don't eat cheese. I don't eat pasta, as it seems to be the worst culprit for bloating. Thank goodness I have no issues with asthma. What a nightmare for you. I'm able to walk indefinitely, and I swim a lot too, but I have a massive gut now, and it is NOT due to overeating. I'm furious that my surgeon did not tell me about post-cholecystectomy syndrome. I have GERD now too. I'm even more furious with myself for not researching the surgery online. I am 58 and otherwise in excellent general health, but like you I have gone from a size 28 waist to a 32, and I cannot afford to buy all new clothes. I'm very unhappy with the outcome of this surgery. Perhaps if enough anecdotal stories are presented to surgeons they will be less hasty to remove organs which are there for a reason. Just this week I began taking bile salts, which I bought on Amazon.com for less than $20. They are said to help some people. Why not check it out? It's far too soon to know if they'll help me. Good luck to you. Please post again and let us know how you're doing.
September 18, 2010 - 7:50pmThis Comment
I have been frustrated for over a year now. I had to get my galbladder out 3months after my son was born and now over a year later I have maintained the weight from the weight gain from the pregancy. I workout, burning more calories than I consume, I have 30 pounds to lose and nothing works. ( I mean nothing) started to put two two together and came to the conclusion it's not my fault it is the galbladders. Or the lack of one.
June 15, 2010 - 1:14pmfrom the information I have read, it seems like I will have to eat baby spinach, cucumbers, and drink water... Not realilistic... I will try to start taking B12, B6 vitimins, and maybe Omaga 3 but at this point, my frustration has gone down after realizing it's not really my fault. I wish the surgeon would have told me all of this, but everyone said oh your more likely to lose weight now gain... may I ask them if they still have theirs in????
This Comment
I am sorry you are so frustrated, and I hope we can help.
When you say you've "tried everything", I'm wondering if you have tried talking with a Registered Dietitian? I know this is only one aspect of what you are dealing with, but a specialist could really help you with an eating plan that is not a "diet" based on the number of calories your body actually uses each day, what additional calories you need for fuel for your daily activities, and compare these needs with what you are actually consuming and expending. An eating plan is something that is realistic, personalized and could really help in the long-term.
Let us know if you would like more information, or if you just would like to talk more!
June 15, 2010 - 2:09pmThis Comment
I am 44 and had my gall bladder out about six months ago -- since that time I have gained at least thirty pounds and all of it on my upper belly, where I have never had a problem with weight before. None of my clothes fit AT ALL and I look completely different (not good!) and am really very uncomfortable. So when I read the posts saying "In my opinion, this is just because you started eating a high-carb diet, coincidentally at the time you had gall bladder surgery" it tends to annoy.
But no one can tell us anything real, can they? Not even the doctors. It's amazing.
April 15, 2010 - 2:17pmThis Comment
I too gained 30 lbs in 3 months after galbladder sugery. I was 40 and it didn't matter what I did the weight kept pouring on. I exercise regularly, eat healthy low fat, am on no medication and at 47 still hold the weight. I've watched my exercise partner loose 30 pounds with our 5 day a week routine while I only maintain. It is frustrating and I believe that something happened in my body with the galbladder removal. I eat less and exercise more than I did before the sugery and I hold that 30 pounds. I wish I could figure how to take it off.
September 27, 2009 - 3:42pmThis Comment
Anon,
Welcome to EmpowHer! Thanks for your question.
In searching the web for information that might be relevant for you, I did find several forums where other people have written about gaining weight after having their gall bladder removed. Others lose weight after the surgery, so it's hard to know for sure what could be going on. I'm sure it's discouraging to eat well and exercise five days a week and not lose!!
Have you asked your doctor about this? Several people mentioned having their thyroid levels checked, and I'm wondering if this could be helpful to you. Here is our EmpowHer page about hypothyroidism; do you have any more of the symptoms listed here, other than weight gain?
https://www.empowher.com/media/reference/hypothyroidism#definition
September 28, 2009 - 10:14amThis Comment
I had my gall bladder removed in March of this year. Since then I have gained the ugly "spare tire" that will swell huge immediately after eating anything, no matter how small the meal. I have always been a healthy eater (lots of fruits and veggies, drink only water, and absolutely no fried foods or sweets). I work with children so tend to be too tired to exercise much but am pretty active with hiking, camping, swimming, etc on the weekends. I have joined weight loss clinics and have had my thyroid tested. Nothing has seemed to work. I am trying to get the energy level up to exercise more...nothing else has seemed to work. It is very depressing since this time last summer I was looking good in a bikini top. Right now I don't feel good even in a loose t-shirt :((
September 2, 2010 - 5:02pmThis Comment
Anon - You may find the following article helpful. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5973212_do-weight-after-gallbladder-removal_.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask
September 2, 2010 - 5:31pmThis Comment
I have heard that a quite a number of people put on weight after their gallbladder symptoms are treated and the gallbladder is removed. I am not quite sure why though.
September 10, 2009 - 3:59amThis Comment
Very helpful comments from everyone. Thank you! I do not now, nor have I ever been a soda pop drinker. I drink what seems like a gallon of water a day. I think it's time to walk more and complain less. One issue with me is that I also have a Dx of Lupus which I have lived with for 25 years. It plays havoc with my gut, and especially since having the cholecystectomy I have noticed great difficulty digesting meat of any kind. This propels me further into my plans to become a vegetarian. Unfortunately I live with a dyed-in-the-wool meat lover, and although I am happy to cook meat for him, I'll just quit eating it. I'll no longer eat when I'm not hungry simply because it's 'dinner time' -- the man in my life doesn't exactly make this easy, but hey, it's my life and my body and I'm weary of feeling bloated and tired. I know I can make healthy changes. It would be great to have a partner who was into the same quest for change, but hey ho, we can't have everything. Dance and yoga are also going to be stepped up. I love both, and I also am crazy about cycling, so it's all about change now. Thanks again for the support! ~ Beth
September 6, 2009 - 8:58pmThis Comment