Gallbladder removal today - advise needed to sleevers w/o gallbladder

 Let me tell ya. I don't know how to answer your question about after VSG, because I just had mine last week. However, I had my gall bladder out when I was 23. I am now 38. It didn't matter what I ate. Salad one time could be great, exact same salad next time could be disastrous. Fried fish, fine, then not fine. I experimented with different diets/foods/etc and nothing seemed to matter. The most consistent thing that triggered my dumping was stress and anxiety of any kind. I went thru many years of avoiding things, places, etc for fear of messing myself. Which on occasion, had happened and is not pleasant. So, after 7 years of talking with my surgeon, feeling like i was some kind of freak and different doctors, i had changed pcp's and then mentioned this issue on a regular visit and he said oh, you just need to get some cholestyramine. I was like what??? It's a prescription powder that ppl add to water and drink everyday. It was initially made to help ppl with cholesterol probs but then found out that it was inadvertantly aiding in this symptom of post gall bladder surgery. I started taking it and never looked back. I am currently taking a 5 gram colestipol packet with water every day and it's amazing. When my nerves get shot, i can have some issues but it is all much more controlled. 

I wouldn't call it the ****z, i would call it, uncontrollable bowel movements. There is very little warning and you absolutely have no control at all in stopping it. Every single person i know that has had their gall bladder out has the same issue. Im very open about it and try to find out and they all over time have developed it, mostly female.  I don't believe the reports on "studies" that have been done. Just as recent as my vsg hospital stay, the nurse even mentioned that she thinks it's way more common than they report. I am not sure why. Maybe ppl are too embarassed. The issue is that the bile is going directly into your intestines instead of going through your gall bladder first  which is causing the dumping syndrome. I hope that this surgery, the vsg, will help eliminate it, but i am not counting on it. Have my packets of colestipol nearby just in case. :)

Good luck!!!!

I don't want to freak you out about gallbladder surgery, but in my experience it is all true. I havent had the sleeve yet, but I had my gallbladder out 3 years ago. There are times where if you eat fatty foods you can experience anal leakage. Also, no matter what I ate it-even if it was just a bite of food-i would have to run to the bathroom. You shouldnt eat unless you have a bathroom in close proximity for the first few months-unfortunately for me it lasted a whole year! It was embaressing, and painful really. But, the gallbladder attacks were more painful and even dangerous. I wish you well on your journey!

 Britt, yes!!! I am with you! My friends always ask me where the bathroom is no matter where we go because they know i have already scouted them out and know the quality, location, etc. I always told anyone i was hanging with more than once what was going on cause I didn't want them to think i was Bulimic. You take like 10 minutes of eating, run to the restroom and then come back all happy and ready to finish your meal and then run to the bathroom one more time, or twelve! ugh!. Heaven forbid you need to fly somewhere. I starve myself until i get to the next destination before i will eat anything. 

Had my gall bladder out the summer before my VSG (gall bladder out August 2010, VSG May 2011) and for the first month or so I would have issues with dairy or heavy foods. The general needing a bathroom ASAP after eating things they told me to stay away from for the first few weeks post gall bladder removal.

It does eventually pass, at least it did for me and for most other people as well. Don't stress over it, just take it as it comes and you'll be just fine. If you do have those side effects for longer than a month or two talk to your doctor and they should be able to figure something out.

Gall bladder out in 1998, sleeve in 2008.  Never knew the difference post-GB surgery.  Don't stress about it.  Just see what happens, because we all respond differently.  Best wishes :-)
--Dorothy

I had my GB removed about 15 years ago.  I had issues with certain foods and what I called 'emergency ****s'....but once had VSG, I had absolutely no issues.  Not a single carryover...so don't stress at all at this point and be thankful you have it out and have one less med to take in the speedy weight loss phase. 

I am newly sleeved so can't tell you much about having my gallbladder gone with the sleeve.  However, I had my gallbladder out a few years ago (with the lap band) and have had almost no issues with food at all....mostly just relief because with my gallbladder I couldn't handle anything too spicy or too fatty.    Occassionally when I eat something really fatty, too much or alcohol (which is rarely), I get pain up through my shoulder but that happened pre-gallbladder surgery as well so not sure what it's from.  

Good luck!

I had my gall bladder removed in 2006, VSG just a little over 3 months ago.  I never had any problems post-GB surgery. The only difference I noticed is that my system seemed to speed up with processing food, probably because of having one less organ.   I never had bowel issues afterward.  I feel exactly the same post-VSG. I've had other issues, but that's for another thread....

Hi, Kimmes!  At 2 weeks post-cholecystectomy,  I have not had any issues with any ot the foods you mention.  I felt a little queasy after eating lobster in butter sauce but I think it's because I don't eat concentrated fat like that any more (it was a special occasion) but I didn't have any bathroom issues afterwards.  I second the stool softener/laxative suggestion because the painkillers and anesthesia will stop you up. 

My surgery was at 10:30 and I was home by 4.  I had to pee before they would let me leave.

I had mine out in 1997. I have been lactose intolerant since. Lactaid pills and Lactaid milk are staples in my house. I don't have problems with cheese though for some reason, just milk and ice cream (which I rarely eat anymore). I am almost 13 months out, been at goal for almost 7 months. I can eat just about anything, although I avoid bread (but occasional toast is ok).