Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (Full Version)

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dozermom67 -> Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/14/2008 11:07:37 PM)

For any of you who have had your gall bladder removed, do you take digestive enzymes to help digest your food? I am thinking that I may need to....

My problem was diagnosed when I had a CT scan of my kidneys...they were fine, but the doc said I had lots of little "silent" stones in my gall bladder and that it needed to come out. I had never had any gall bladder pain or problems at all before I had surgery, but I have been miserable ever since my surgery. I feel bloated and 'sore' after I eat, etc. I have gained weight since the surgery as well. I've just felt over-all 'yucky.' Since I was not diagnosed by a gastronologist (?, or whatever they're called), I have had no follow-up in dealing with what to expect, etc.

So, I'm wondering if the digestive enzymes may help. I hesitate to go to a specialist as we are depleted monetarily, physically and emotionally from all the doctors appointments and surgery I've had to deal with over the last year and a half.



GrahamCracker -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/15/2008 4:42:09 PM)

I don't think digestive enzymes would work. Probably you have indigestion due to too much/not enough bile being released into your digestive system. Your liver is probably producing all of the bile you can use. It just isn't being stored in the gall bladder. Normally, the gall bladder stores bile until you need it--like when you eat food with fats and oils in them.

So if you eat food with fats and/or oils the proper amount of bile isn't ready. Possibly your liver can't make it all at the same time. It can make plenty but can't get it in the quantities you need for food.

Therefore, your doctor probably has you on some kind of diet.



Ps103 -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/15/2008 4:44:34 PM)

How long ago was the surgery?



dozermom67 -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/15/2008 10:16:17 PM)

My surgery was last May.

I don't really have a doctor/specialist for this, as it was a different kind of specialist that saw the gallstones on my CAT scan. I haven't really had any follow-up 'help' since my surgery.



Kat_D -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/15/2008 10:46:35 PM)

I started taking Bromelain and Probiotics post-op because I have have had problems with digestion and they have helped me a great deal. From what I understand, many people have a hard time with complex proteins, fats and dairy. This happens because we no longer produce enough bile to break down these foods properly.

Regarding follow-up, call the surgeon who removed your Gallbladder. He should be able to guide you on this.



lexie -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 11:46:40 AM)

My mom had her gall bladder removed and while she doesn't take digestive enzymes, she did have to cut certain foods out of her diet. She paid close attention to her diet after the surgery to see what was giving her problems and then removed that from her diet.



Ps103 -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 12:00:36 PM)

Ten months is an awfully long time for your body not to have adjusted to not having a gall bladder. I think I would call the doctor and ask about it.

I still have trouble with some dairy, but it is due to lactose intolerance (which most adults have, btw), and melon-y things, but I always had problems with those, too.

When I had my rotten gallbladder, I couldn't eat *any* fats. Now I can, although immediately after surgery it caused problems.

I never used enzymes for that purpose, but it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.



rainbowtvp -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 2:53:29 PM)

I had my gall bladder removed several years ago... and have no problems digesting ANY foods. I had lots of trouble beforehand, though. My gallbladder was quite inflamed and diseased. From what I understand, gb surgery is often done unnecessarily. Just because you have gallstones does not mean you need to have gb removed. The problems you are having may or may not be related to the surgery...

I felt great after my surgery. I never felt better (after I recovered, I should say!) things that I would never have related to that cleared up. So, I would say what you are experiencing is not just something you should write off as being normal side-effects from the surgery... I would definitely seek medical advice about it!

Tara P



Kat_D -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 3:19:45 PM)

quote:

From what I understand, gb surgery is often done unnecessarily. Just because you have gallstones does not mean you need to have gb removed.


You can have stones in the Gallbladder itself and not have any symptoms and surgery is not usually necessary. However, when the stones move from the Gallbladder and become trapped in one of the ducts they then can become problematic because they block bile flow. This is what causes the painful attacks and once that happens, removal of the Gallbladder is often the recommended course of action..



GrahamCracker -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 9:36:17 PM)

<QUOTE>"The gallbladder (or cholecyst, sometimes gall bladder) is a pear-shaped organ that stores about 50 ml of bile (or "gall") until the body needs it for digestion....

"...The gallbladder stores about 50 ml (1.7 US fluid ounces / 1.8 Imperial fluid ounces) of bile, which is released when food containing fat enters the digestive tract, stimulating the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK). The bile, produced in the liver, emulsifies fats and neutralizes acids in partly digested food.

After being stored in the gallbladder the bile becomes more concentrated than when it left the liver, increasing its potency and intensifying its effect on fats. Most digestion occurs in the duodenum."<UNQUOTE>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallbladder



Kat_D -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 10:37:17 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

I started taking Bromelain and Probiotics post-op because I have have had problems with digestion and they have helped me a great deal. From what I understand, many people have a hard time with complex proteins, fats and dairy. This happens because we no longer produce enough bile to break down these foods properly.


I should clarify: When we have a gallbladder that functions properly, while eating a meal bile is released in a big pool making digestion of certain foods (such as fats) better. After the gallbladder is removed, bile is released in a continuous, slow trickle and there may not be an adequate amount of bile in the intestine to properly handle the normal absorption process.



Ps103 -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 11:14:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

I started taking Bromelain and Probiotics post-op because I have have had problems with digestion and they have helped me a great deal. From what I understand, many people have a hard time with complex proteins, fats and dairy. This happens because we no longer produce enough bile to break down these foods properly.


I should clarify: When we have a gallbladder that functions properly, while eating a meal bile is released in a big pool making digestion of certain foods (such as fats) better. After the gallbladder is removed, bile is released in a continuous, slow trickle and there may not be an adequate amount of bile in the intestine to properly handle the normal absorption process.



Translation: no post-surgery buckets of Kentucky Fried. Moderation is key[:D]



Memaw. -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/16/2008 11:35:57 PM)

I am 18 years post cholecystectomy and still have problems.

Just last fall I was admitted into the hospital because a stone was trapped in the common bile duct requiring surgery.

OWIE!



Kat_D -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/17/2008 12:57:20 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ps103

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

I started taking Bromelain and Probiotics post-op because I have have had problems with digestion and they have helped me a great deal. From what I understand, many people have a hard time with complex proteins, fats and dairy. This happens because we no longer produce enough bile to break down these foods properly.


I should clarify: When we have a gallbladder that functions properly, while eating a meal bile is released in a big pool making digestion of certain foods (such as fats) better. After the gallbladder is removed, bile is released in a continuous, slow trickle and there may not be an adequate amount of bile in the intestine to properly handle the normal absorption process.



Translation: no post-surgery buckets of Kentucky Fried. Moderation is key[:D]


Wasn't good before surgery either, Kate! When I was still working at the hospital, we used to joke, "If you think your Gallbladder is bad but don't want to pay for diagnostic testing, you can have the best test there is for $3.99...just order and eat the Three Piece Dark Meat Meal and if it's bad you'll have an attack before you leave the parking lot!!" Funny but soooo true!

And Memaw...I have had problems ever since mine was removed too! I have to be really careful with my diet and I will probably always have to take the digestive enzymes and probiotics.



Ps103 -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (3/17/2008 11:03:21 AM)

quote:

Wasn't good before surgery either, Kate! When I was still working at the hospital, we used to joke, "If you think your Gallbladder is bad but don't want to pay for diagnostic testing, you can have the best test there is for $3.99...just order and eat the Three Piece Dark Meat Meal and if it's bad you'll have an attack before you leave the parking lot!!" Funny but soooo true!


I can dig it[;)]

I remember going to an Italian restaurant for a party, and I was sooo hungry (waiting for the surgeon's and my schedule to mesh--long story), so I asked if they could make me some marinara sauce with *no oil.* They said "sure!" I thought I was going to die after I ate it and couldn't figure out why, but it was the only meal I had that week and it sure tasted good.

After I had the darned thing removed, I was at the same restaurant, and the owner came out and asked if I had liked the special marinara he has made me. It *was* good, so I said "yes!"

Then he said "I made it with lots of butter!"

[&:]



dozermom67 -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (5/1/2008 2:10:33 PM)

Okay, so I went to my regular doctor and she had my blood drawn, checking my liver enzymes, cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid, etc. Everything is normal. That's good news, BUT...I still have pain/discomfort where my gall bladder used to be, as well as 'bloating' and discomfort in my digestive tract. So, more money spent, and I still have no real answers. It's really getting depressing.



ladyamythist -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (5/4/2008 4:13:20 PM)

I have gall stones in my gall bladder. Is there a way, other than surgery, to diminish them? I have read that there are drinks of this and that natural concoction that will make them smaller and remove them. I had an attack ten years ago and have been fine since.



Grick -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (5/5/2008 6:36:23 AM)

You may want to ask your doctor about the drug Ursodiol- also called Ursodeoxycholic acid. It can often dissolve small stones. However, it can't be taken with some medications. Just ask your doctor what he/she thinks about it. It is also sold under a couple of brand names, Ursodiol is the generic.



thelouise -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (5/12/2008 11:18:57 AM)

quote:

I have gall stones in my gall bladder. Is there a way, other than surgery, to diminish them? I have read that there are drinks of this and that natural concoction that will make them smaller and remove them. I had an attack ten years ago and have been fine since.


Dr Hulga Clark has a cleanse. I did it a few years back and did get stones out. I would do other cleanses first, as she recommends. Here is a link to the protocol:

Dr Clark's Liver Flush

HTH,
Louise



thelouise -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (5/13/2008 7:46:31 AM)

A friend of mine uses a product from Standard Process. It is a product for those who do not have a gallbladder. The product is called Cholacol. Their website says:

Cholacol provides a concentrated source of bile salts that will support the healthy metabolism and absorption of dietary fat when the gallbladder has been surgically removed.

Cholacol

Standard Process is sold through professionals (like chiropractors) but you can get it through SpineLife

Louise



DenimDiva -> RE: Post gall bladder surgery - digestive enzymes? (5/25/2008 10:50:06 AM)

I had my gall bladder removed in 2000. I still have some tenderness in the area, but can eat pretty much like I did before. I find that eating yogurt helps with the digestion system.



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