Diarrhoea after gallbladder removal

[Cherry889]

I had my gallbladder removed a week ago. For the first few days I was constipated as I was taking codeine however I have now stopped taking that and since yesterday I have had several lots of diarrhoea.

I have read that this can happen and the body needs to adjust but is there anything I can do to try to help this?

Try not to worry, the first day or two were awful for me. Got much better quite quickly over a few more days. Completely normal after a week or two. Your body just needs time to recover and readjust.

I don’t know that there’s anything you can do as such. I just stuck to plain foods for a few days, nothing spicy and not too much fruit. It was a quick improvement if that gives you hope!

You definitely need to reduce fat intake as well. I had mine removed in 2007 and if I over indulge in fatty food I end up with sickness and the runs.

Keep a food diary and try to determine what causes it. Know that too much fat going forward may be an issue (butter, cream, cheese, lamb chops, pork chops etc). Your body needs to adjust afterwards too.

I think it's important to pay attention to your own body & its responses to the food you eat rather than thinking your recovery will be the same as someone else out there.

If it helps jot down when you have gut issues like bloating or diarrhoea & see if it relates to particular foods.

I had my gallbladder removed about 4 years ago & I can still eat fried foods, butter, coconut oils etc - but cannot tolerate milk.

Good luck & as other posters have said keep to a bland diet while your insides heal but in time find your own balance.

My surgeon told me at my post op check that "I could eat whatever I liked .... until I found out that I couldn't eat something".

Thanks for the replies.

My surgeon told me to eat low fat for two weeks after the op. Before the op everything gave me pain so I ate a very limited diet so I have continued like this since the op so have only eaten cereal, toast, french fries crisps as low fat and a few jelly babies.

Having the gallstones has made me very wary of food and what effects it may have on me.

I know it’s early days but I guess I just miss how I used to be.

Yep totally normal. Could last a few weeks. You need to eat a low fat diet for atleast 8 weeks after surgery. Gives your body the chance to adapt.

Thank you, I had read old posts on here about people who said they were totally normal and no digestive problems so feeling a bit sorry for myself.

@Cherry889

Thank you, I had read old posts on here about people who said they were totally normal and no digestive problems so feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Oh I wouldn’t worry. I was ill for months after mine so much that they thought I had sphincter of oddi syndrome. Luckily I don’t but mine only settled down after about a year.

Thanks for the reassurance.