Uncontrolled diarrhea after gallbladder removal surgery: Any advice?

M
HI! Sorry to hear about your pain and worry...

You don't say your age. It does take older bodies longer to heal and to adjust.

Maybe try this for a little while:
Use IBGuard- be sure to follow their directions. I got heartburn and burps when I used it wrong. I think I took it on an empty stomach.
Add a good probiotic pill
and an OTC gas- relieving pill (simethecone), after every meal.

Maybe add an antacid?

No fatty food, no fried food, no acidic food/beverage coffee or tea, no carbonated beverages-- not much tasty food left! but it's only for a little while.

Slowly add back in the food/beverages that you can't live without. For me, it's the coffee.

Some patients swear by yogurt. Greek yogurt disturbs my bowels, oddly, but Dannon yogurt helps. Not sure why, but definitely worth a try.

Getting started on this routine can be a pain in the neck, but it's only for a little while AND it really, really worked for me. My gastroenterologist suggested it when I had a bad bout of irritable bowel.

Good luck! Keep us posted. (sorry about my spelling!)

I think it's a good idea to check in with another doctor, as you said you planned to do.

Thank you.

Unfortunately no, he told me just to wait. I'm going to another doctor next week. I thought about buying a good probiotic/digestive enzymes.

Hi @thisisabattle, I moved your discussion and combined it with the existing discussion titled:
- Uncontrolled diarrhea after gallbladder removal surgery: Any advice?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-op-diarrhea/

I did this so you could meet members @jfperrone, @vholtzapple, and @szaiko who all shared similar experiences after their gallbladder removal.

@thisisabattle, you mentioned your doctor told you that you are in a place to be patient, but have any next steps been discussed or things to try in the meantime to help curb the symptoms in any way?

Hey! I've been struggling with digestive issues for a year. (mucus in stool, pain in epigastric area, diarrhea just after waking up, nausea, burping all the time, everything increases after fatty meal) I had stomach endoscopy, colonoscopy, test for parasites, bacteria, candida, they checked my liver, thyroid.. and they finally found a lot of sludge in my gallbladder, my surgeon suggested to me that I should remove it becuase it might be a root of my all digestive issues. I agreed.

I had my surgery 7 weeks ago and my digestive health is worse than before. I often have epigastric pain (it's probably my stomach) especially in the morning (when my stomach is empty), my stomach makes loud noises like gurling after every meal, even when I wake up in the morning the first thing I hear is my stomach. Sometimes I get diarrhea after meals it can happen at any moment and it's urgent so I'm now scared about leaving my house or go somewhere by public transport.

My doctor told me to wait because my body is still adjusting to a new situation to not having a GB, but I don't believe him. I did read a lot of horror stories of people who has been struggling with diarrhea for many years after GB and it can be lifelong issue. Please be honest with me, it's possible that my body will adjust and these symptoms will dissapear over time? I can't live like that.

Just have my cholecystectomy done 2 weeks ago, yes when I consumed fatty food. Learning to mindful eating.

Easy fix. Take fiber , laxative. Yes it will stop the diarrhea/ I promise. I tell this to anyone. I just wish someone would tell me how to stop chronic diarrhea...

just to say this.......I haven't had gallbladder surgery however I do have a handle on the dietary stuff. My husband began to have blood sugar issues and he began to watch Michael Gregor MD / nutrition action videos and he also watches 2 guys who are diabetic both of which have kept their blood sugar in check with plant based diets. He already had been subscribing to Dr. Gregors nutritionaction.org newsletter paper edition and I read when it came. We changed our diet to a plant based diet because the data is just so so convincing. He has proof and research that he shows to back his studies. I didn't have trouble changing at all / my husband may have had more trouble than I did. I gave up milk products after figuring out I had a lactose issue when I was churning in my belly all the time. My mother and daughter are both lactose intolerant so it came as no surprise. I gave up lattes and began drinking my coffee black. After about 6-9 mo. I also tried vigorously to give up sugar and I have cut way way down. After the sugar decrease I am not stiff anymore. Anyway, my weight has not been a problem at all since changing my diet. I have never eaten a lot of fat....my fats came from sweets when I ate them / cookies or chocolate or ice cream. Now those things are rare. I have never been really overweight but I struggled to be a weight that I was comfortable in my skin. I began Weight Watchers many years ago when my summer capri pants were too tight..........that was a lot of pounds ago that it is hard to believe. I am a Lifetime member now. I would encourage anyone struggling with dietary stuff to check out Dr Gregor. All his website and you tube stuff is free. Give yourself 5 minutes to find out why he started his work. He provides a real practical dedicated service.

What really seems to help is Metamucil in the am and colestipol 1gm twice a day. The big "D" has calmed down and I have taken to drinking Gatorade to restore electrolytes (I don't know where they went but I found them). The gas thing can be problematic but that has calmed down as well. I don't worry about my weight, its there, and I look at it as an investment. Sorry to be so flip but it seems that this subject will take over your life if you let it. Happy new Year!

I had 2 TKRs 3 yrs. apart. One perfect; one a bit less than perfect. Then, to my surprise, had gallbladder removal. I am not suggesting they are related. I believe I am doing quite well. But I do have to plan some activities around the situation - especially in the morning. Not sure if i can take an extensive vacation ever again? I am and have always been basically "regular". I eat basically everything. In fact, am about to start Jenny Craig diet. Even though I am very active physically, weight has become a concern (not too bad yet!). I have been on Synthroid for 38 years and Buproprion anxiety med for 20 years. Both can lead to weight gain. I was on Jenny Craig for 2.5 months a year ago and was VERY pleased with the food; lost 9 lbs. I want to go back on it again but am concerned about the reputation of FROZEN/PROCESSED foods. I felt fine and really want to get back on it (fresh veggies, fruit and water are part of the DAILY diet). Any problem with a diet such as JC? I ate healthier when I was on it than I do now and loved portion control. For me, the biggest problem . post gallbladder surgery 1.5 years ago is 'forceful" gas all day long. Sorry to be graphic, but it seems to be odor-LESS - not what I would call typical unpleasant gas from pre-gallbladder surgery. I have ALWAYS had gas issues, but this is different. (Also tried Nutri-System for a few months once, but food not as tasty.)

@genocurt, would you mind sharing your experiences with the HIDA test here?
- Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan: What does it tell you? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hidascan/

@donnacarp, you may also wish to post your questions about the HIDA test to that same discussion. The answers and tips you get on what to expect and how to prepare will not only help you, but also other members who will have the test in the future.