After 4 years of gallbladder removal, my belly is still so big

Hi @mo22, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have found a good place to share and learn from others.

You may want to explore Connect a bit as you wait for others to comment.
I did a quick search on the home page for “distended abdomen”: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/?search=Distended%20abdomon&index=discussions
One discussion specifically: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/distention-abdomen/?pg=2

How long after your gallbladder surgery did you begin noticing your belly change? It may help others to know more about your journey thus far, if you are willing to share. Do you have other symptoms, and have you discussed with your doctor or had any testing?

Janell, I can’t thank you enough for this super prompt response and connection to other links.

Approximately a month after the surgery, my belly began to be bigger. My thought was it gets back to the normal. But it began to be bigger and continued to grow. No matter what I do, eat, drink. I don’t drink soft drinks, I’m lacking energy to do the kind of exercise that would sweat and burn calories. My meals are relatively healthy, however I tend to eat very fast. It’s a bad habit and I can’t remember to slow down.
Now I have a true Michelin tire around my waist. My last resort would be fasting.
I appreciate any comments, tips, guidance.
Thank you.

I would suggest cutting back on your carb intake.

Thank you for your suggestion. I have to get back to bake my own bread. I find gluten free helped with the gasy issues, but not so much with the bloating.

My husband had his gallbladder removed on April 5th and his belly got so big as well. He has excruciating pain and hasn't been able to go back to work. We spent the last few months at Mayo and did every kind of test and scan and nothing shows up and said he is fine. He hasn't been fine and he has no quality of life cause he is in pain all the time and they don't know how to help him. I'm sorry you are going through this after 4 years. I pray every one going through this gets a breakthrough 🙏.

I've mentioned this before, so my apologies for being redundant. My husband had bloating & was very uncomfortable and was eventually diagnosed with appendix cancer. (Also please note, ovarian cancer presents the same way). I don't know of any correlation with symptoms surfacing after gall bladder removal, but I don't want anyone to miss a diagnosis for something treatable if caught early. Please have it ruled out!

Actually, I have had similar symptoms from gallbladder removal. It's from having so much gas from my food not getting digested properly. But your information is very helpful because those are important things to have checked out. Thank you.