Uncontrolled diarrhea after gallbladder removal surgery: Any advice?

Posted by JerryP @jfperrone, Aug 22, 2020

After a very painful event I had surgery to remove my gall bladder. Surgery took 2.5 hours. Follow up seems ok except I have uncontrolled diarrhea. I am living on imodium . I am weak as a baby with no aid in sight. The doctors offer no real help except telling me what to eat or not. Any similiar experience or advice.

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I had diarrhea after almost every meal after my gall bladder removal. I had numerous tests to rule out all the potential diseases. Cholestyramine has completely controlled the diarrhea if I take it on a very regular basis, once a day. It has changed my life!

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@jkarmazin

If you want to see if you think you have it try taking OTC pancreatic enzymes and see if you feel a little better. That is what I did and then I asked to be tested.

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Did they help you?

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@donnabe

Did they help you?

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Yes, that’s why I asked for the test!

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Colestid, cholestyrine are the best for bile salt diarrhea post gallbladder removal

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@donnabe

@jkarmazin No I have not been tested for EPI. Crohn’s in remission- lactose intolerant. EPI never mentioned since prior episodes of diarrhea was from IBD. According to 2020 colonoscopy no signs of Crohn’s and asked why I still had diarrhea was told diarrhea was probably IBS. Eat fiber. Able to control with immodium. Then had gallbladder removed and the FLUSH is unstoppable.

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Normally with bile salt diarrhea s/p cholecystectomy Colestid ow Questran does the trick.
However with EPI it is definitely related to diet. No fiber, no fatty foods and from there every patient is different.
I would recommend a 72 hour high fat stool study to check for fat in the stool to rule out EPI.

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@mef51

I had horrible diarrhea after my gall bladder removal. What works for me is one serving of Metamucil mid morning, and 2 tablets of colestipol (prescribed) mid afternoon. You need to take the colestipol 1-2 hours after your other meds, or 4 hours before your other meds. Your pharmacist can help you with that. If I (rarely) feel a diarrhea episode coming on I take 1/2 an Immodium AD and it stops it. This method has changed my life for the better! Good luck!

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Hi to all, I had my fb removed also, and the only thing that helps me is Colestpol, (and staying away from fat)but taking it is a real nuisance, because I take a lot of meds. But, it’s better than diarrhea! Good luck to all!!

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Yes, I take two colestipol tablets at one time daily. They are very hard for me to swallow. I use a pill cutter to make several small pieces. Has anyone tried the powder form? It sounds like it is a bit more expensive.

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@jfperrone

I have read the comments from a number of others who had their gall bladder removed and I guess my experience so far is better than most. I had the op 10 days ago and because it must have been difficult they kept me in hosp 2 more days. Currently I have a drain sticking out of my stomach which I empty twice a day. (Very difficult to sleep with that thing sticking out of you.) I have a little soreness but no actual pain. I have zero appetite but manage to eat the minimum. I have been drinking a lot of water; eating jello, toast fruit and a little cheese. Still the problem continues. I was told to drink Propel water which has the electroiytes you mention. Any suggestions dietary or otherwise would be appreciated.

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That is not normal. You need to ask more questions. I had in and out surgery and I felt good until a few days later and the dam busted and been busted. I had the surgery in 2016. It has qotten worse. No long trips or eating out far from home. I get no answers. But, a tube in your body aaks for more detail.

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@marman101

That is not normal. You need to ask more questions. I had in and out surgery and I felt good until a few days later and the dam busted and been busted. I had the surgery in 2016. It has qotten worse. No long trips or eating out far from home. I get no answers. But, a tube in your body aaks for more detail.

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I had mine out a few years ago 2014. No more greasy steaks or hamburgers. You really have to be careful with your diet. Cheese has a bit of grease/fat in it. Homemade Mac & cheese will make it happen too. Good luck 👍

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It's possible that you caught "C-diff" in the hospital. Get it checked out.

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