Gallbladder removed, now having TMI issues

[Samar]

Hey all

I had my gallbladder removed last month and some of the nasty side effects have finally started to make themselves known. Mainly the constant need to go to the bathroom for #2 We're leaving 11 days and when I'm in line and the need strikes, is there anything I can do to avoid annoyed people for when I need to rejoin the line? I can't pull the family out of line every time mommy feels like she's going to have a bathroom emergency

For those that have had the surgery, how did you deal with the GOTTA GO feeling and lines?

 

[CzyDsnyFan92]

I totally feel your pain. I have IBS and it makes daily life very very interesting. My doctor prescribed Bentyl....it definitely makes it easier to go out in public becuase it temporarily binds me up. Not sure if it does the same thing for everyone but for me I know that if I have somewhere important to be I take it before I go out and then according to the instructions. HTH and that you feel better soon.

 

[here757]

Hey all

I had my gallbladder removed last month and some of the nasty side effects have finally started to make themselves known. Mainly the constant need to go to the bathroom for #2 We're leaving 11 days and when I'm in line and the need strikes, is there anything I can do to avoid annoyed people for when I need to rejoin the line? I can't pull the family out of line every time mommy feels like she's going to have a bathroom emergency

For those that have had the surgery, how did you deal with the GOTTA GO feeling and lines?

hee hee.. sorry i had to laugh..cuz i been there
i had mine removed too.
try to stay away from spicey or greasy foods..

mines been gone since 10/03 and i still have the same issues

 

[Samar]

I totally feel your pain. I have IBS and it makes daily life very very interesting. My doctor prescribed Bentyl....it definitely makes it easier to go out in public becuase it temporarily binds me up. Not sure if it does the same thing for everyone but for me I know that if I have somewhere important to be I take it before I go out and then according to the instructions. HTH and that you feel better soon.

I'll call my surgeon and see if she can perscribe anything over the phone. My PCP has no openings until Sept

hee hee.. sorry i had to laugh..cuz i been there
i had mine removed too.
try to stay away from spicey or greasy foods..

mines been gone since 10/03 and i still have the same issues

Oh no I'm sorry to hear this. For both of us! I thought I had escaped this since it's been almost a month but just out of the blue (then again, I was eating just carbs and avoiding many things but the weight wasn't agreeing on that end).

Do you take anything to decrease the gas or any of the bathroom issues when in need? You can PM me if the answer if you want due to the sensitvity of the issue.

 

[PigletsMommy]

I had mine out in April 09. I still have those side effects, altho they are not as bad as before.

Stay away from spicy or greasy foods. Also coffee is a bad one for me. My Dr told me to make sure I had fiber in my diet, but I always felt like that made things worse too. I don't know of any over the counter meds that can help. My advice is to make sure you know where the bathrooms are and what your body can handle now.

As for the gas issues, I still have them. I have a serious burping problem. In fact, thats why I originally went to my dr. I thought getting my gallbladder taken out would fix that problem, but it really just makes it worse. Now I burp a lot & have IBS.

As for getting out of line & then back in... I think as long as its just you, and not 4-5 people with you, then no one is going to say much. I know when I go, the only time I get irritated is if 1 person is holding a spot and a huge group comes in to "catch up".

 

[here757]

I'll call my surgeon and see if she can perscribe anything over the phone. My PCP has no openings until Sept



Oh no I'm sorry to hear this. For both of us! I thought I had escaped this since it's been almost a month but just out of the blue (then again, I was eating just carbs and avoiding many things but the weight wasn't agreeing on that end).

Do you take anything to decrease the gas or any of the bathroom issues when in need? You can PM me if the answer if you want due to the sensitvity of the issue.

i dont take anything for it to be honest..
i have learned over the years what i cant do.

ie... only 1 pieced of sausage at breakfast,
light in the sugar free syrup .. otherwise im in the bathroom by the time im finished chewing.

i cut out fries, cuz the burger is usually greasy enough.
i had gastric by pass too ..

 

[Minniemama350]

I was the opposite abou food. I could eat all the greasy, fatty, spicey things I wanted, but anything remotely healthy was a BIG problem. Like lettuce, greenbeans, etc. Try to use a food journal so you can figure out exactly what to avoid.

 

[gillenkl]

I had mine out 5 years ago. Agree with the poster who said to keep a food journal - you'll be able to figure out soon enough what foods to avoid. For me it's, spicy, coffee, milk, greasy - there really is no rhymn or reason to it.

 

[krcit]

I had mine out about 5-6 years ago and still have some of those issues. Luckily I can usually tell how the day is going to be in the morning and plan accordingly, lol. If I was in WDW and having issues that day I would only eat a soft pretzel or maybe a turkey sandwich. I live on Immodium(TMI) not really but take it probably at least twice a week. definitely call your surgeon and see what he says and like pp suggested start taking note of what causes problems. As for the leaving and getting back in line? I wouldn't worry about it. If someone says something to you tell them all about your 'issues'. I bet that would shut them up

 

[cindydare]

I also had my gallbladder removed 2.5 years ago......I agree with the previous posters.....keep a food journal so that you can begin to recognize the most often offending foods.

Eat smaller, lighter meals......I seem to always have the most problems when I overeat, especially more fatty foods (TMI = more gas!). Avoid carbonated beverages (same reason!). I have a friend who almost always has problems with salads, though I have been lucky in that respect. Milk products tend to affect me in the mornings only (and not always---it's really strange that I can eat some foods at a different time of day without issues). I have had success with increasing my fiber intake and with eating yogurt with active cultures....those have helped. It is such a process of trial and error, and so individualized. I can also say that the healthier I eat, the better I feel now....when I have too much junk food, my body lets me know it.

Gas-X (simethicone) soft gels (available in store brands from drug stores, Target, etc) are wonderful for the gas. I also take Famotidine 20 mg (generic Pepcid-available without a prescription) before certain meals, and always have Immodium on standby!

I hope you find some useful info from everyone and I hope you have a magical trip!

Cindy

 

[allyphoe]

Mine's been out for nearly 7 years, and I still have problems. Not terribly frequent, so I haven't bothered keeping a log to figure out the trigger. I don't take anything for it, either.

My surgeon said I shouldn't anticipate any GI issues, but everyone I knew who had their gallbladder out had some. I think surgeons just don't see many patients for long-term followup, so don't necessarily know about it. So I'd start with my GP if I wanted suggestions for medical management.

 

[LovesHerTaurus]

Hey all

I had my gallbladder removed last month and some of the nasty side effects have finally started to make themselves known. Mainly the constant need to go to the bathroom for #2 We're leaving 11 days and when I'm in line and the need strikes, is there anything I can do to avoid annoyed people for when I need to rejoin the line? I can't pull the family out of line every time mommy feels like she's going to have a bathroom emergency

For those that have had the surgery, how did you deal with the GOTTA GO feeling and lines?

Ugh got mine out at 19!
I'm planning on carrying chewable Immodium tablets, drink lots of water, stay away from salt and do NOT eat fatty foods unless you can sleep it off within the next 1/2 hour!

Easy bland foods and it should be way under control.

 

[mom2val]

Had mine removed 10 years ago this August. Avoid spicy and fried foods. If I can I stay near a bathroom for about 30 mins after I eat. Sometimes walking increases that gotta go now feeling for me so I make sure I know where the closest bathroom is. If i even feel like I might need to go - I had better go! Lunch always seems to be the meal I have the most issues with. I keep imodium with me at all times bc I break the rules and eat fried rich foods! I have whipped into more Mcdonalds just to run into to use the bathroom than you can imagine. Sometimes I have about 60 seconds notice or else the results are ---- TMI!!!

 

[TinaLala]

OK the purpose of the gall bladder is to surcreat fat from the bowels. Now that you don't have this part it makes your appendix and other organs work harder. So if you eat thing that are high in fat your body pretty much says "NO NO NO" and flushes them out of your body.

I had mine out via emergency surgery while on vacation and already have IBS! The first thing the drs tell you after having your gall bladder out is to eat a fat free diet and they mean it! I would recommend a low fat diet, stay away from spicy and fried foods as others have said.

Diet and exercise - I know you hate to hear it!! But increase your water, keep your imodium by your side, put your sneakers on and get out there. Trust me I'm a lazy bug and have been known to have an explosion here or there, but once I started to write down what I ate, exercise via WiiFit, I can keep track of what my 'problem' foods are and feel my body getting better.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I should introduce you to my two best friends: Bentyl and Lomotil. Seriously though, I had mine out and it took years (and yes I mean years) until I figured out my triggers. Talk to your dr. and see what they want to prescribe, and STAY hydrated. I have to say it again, STAY hydrated and don't worry if you have to get back in line. Chances are you will never see the same people in line twice, and if you do, well I am sure they will get the idea by the second or third time. Enjoy your trip!

 

[cassiez76]

i had mine out in '07 and i still have issues too.

some days are better than others and lunch usually kills me.

i've done a food journal and no matter what i do or don't, i still have problems.

think i just got the funky tummy from my mom and grandma.

 

[Belle5]

Until this moment, I never knew that I should feel so fortunate! I had my gallbladder out 20 years ago this month and have never had any issues at all! I even stopped at Chili's on the way home from the hospital and had a burger and coke.

 

[mom2val]

Until this moment, I never knew that I should feel so fortunate! I had my gallbladder out 20 years ago this month and have never had any issues at all! I even stopped at Chili's on the way home from the hospital and had a burger and coke.

That meal from any restuarant is 100% guaranteed to have me running for the bathroom within 30 mins of consumption.

 

[celestialred]

I also had mine out in '07 and had the issues you are having now for about 5 weeks post-op.

I notice my trigger is milk and some fried/greasy food. Like another pp mentioned, walking around will aggravate my stomach and things...get moving a lot faster... Spicy gets my reflux going but doesn't always cause the lower GI distress. I also live on imodium and 20 mg pepcid when I travel. I also have chewable fiber tabs and ditto on the activia yogurt. Lastly if you are stuck with fried food, I have found for me that beer of all things is a big calmer to my system and keeps me from...exploding.

 

[LovesHerTaurus]

You without problems is lucky!!

I drink a tonne of water, stay off most dairy. Lower fat foods, no McDonalds!

Immodium that I share with my daughter who has a tonne of food allergies. I find if my tummy goes off at all drinking a HUGE amount of water will settle it. Also, of all things Probiotic tablets I won at a wedding shower REALLY helped. A LOT. Shocking shocking lot. Not the yogurt (duh - tummy!) but the capsules!