So, I have no gallbladder. Now what?

[Parrothead]

This is going to be a bit of a word vomit post, as I have a bunch of questions. I just had my gallbladder removed yesterday. I have been told to stick to a liquid diet and gradually move up to a regular diet.

What kinds of foods should I avoid, long term and short term? Why do my legs hurt? I haven't pooped since 8ish pm Monday, should I be worried (I have a prescription for a stool softener)?

[jedimaster91]

They pump your abdominal cavity full of air during surgery so they can get to what they need. That air has to go somewhere until it works itself out of your body. It could have moved to your legs, but generally I think it moves upward. As for the stool softener and not pooping, that's also normal. Surgery kinda stuns everything and it can take a bit for things to get moving again. But if you haven't pooped within a day or two, call your doctor.

As far as long term foods and such, it's different for everyone. I have a friend who has to stick close to the bathroom if she eats carbs or something overly fatty as they have a tendency to run right through. Other people don't have any problems at all. Just reintroduce things slowly and see how your body reacts.

Also, keep your doc posted if your post-op pain doesn't start subsiding or starts getting worse.

[Marmalady]

I haven't pooped since 8ish pm Monday, should I be worried ?

Are the nursing staff asking you questions every day about your functions? It's something they should be keeping a check on after abdominal surgery.

((When I had my appendix out, every morning when the nurses came round they would ask (at full volume);

'Have you passed wind?'
'Have you passed water?'
'Have you had a bowel movement?'

And it was no good trying to give your answers quietly, because their reply - 'Splendid!' or 'Never mind, maybe later!' would be delivered at the same stentorian bellow so everyone in the ward knew exactly what everyone else had done, or not ))

[EricKei]

Please keep in mind that the best thing you can do is to consult your physician about these matters. We can discuss our own medical experiences, but nobody here is claiming to dispense medical advice.

[wolfie]

This surgery should be mandatory for all SCs - maybe that way they wouldn't have as much gall as they do now.

[Parrothead]

Can't ask nursing staff, as surgery was yesterday and I was released yesterday. They let me go once I managed to pee.

[CoffeeMonkey]

It can take quite awhile for your guts to start moving again properly after surgery. I had back surgery the 29th, and it took a solid week for everything to start getting back to normal, and that's with a prescription laxative, stool softener, a few doses of an OTC laxative, and a lot of fruit, AND a dose of something liquid and super sweet before I was discharged. And mine, being spinal, had nothing to do with my abdomen, nor was there air involved.

The softener is so that you do not strain and add to your discomfort. Try adding a gentle OTC laxative like mirilax. Drink a ton of water, and eat fruits that start with P: peaches, plums, prunes, pears.

If you start feeling very uncomfortable, call your regular doctor. Your discharge papers should also outline what symptoms are clues that you should call your doctor. And then, if you're just plain worried about something....call your doctor.

One of the things I liked very much about my surgeon was that he understood that questions come up, and it was important that I get answers.

[csquared]

The stack of papers and instructions that I got after my appendix was removed was ridiculous. Even got a list pf phone numbers to call if I had questions.

Some of the pain killers are known to cause constipation. I was told that it could be three to four days before I pooped.

Did they tell you to walk? I was told to walk as much as I could tolerate. To make sure I walked, every two hours (had an alarm set) I would get up and pace the house for 15 minutes.

The Wife got me this after the surgery. It's your when you earn it. I'm sure that it is just the motivation you need.

[wolfie]

Drink a ton of water, and eat fruits that start with P: peaches, plums, prunes, pears.

For those who prefer exotic fruits, are plantains (starchier relative of bananas), papayas, pineapples, and pomengranates OK?

Some of the pain killers are known to cause constipation.

IIRC, it's the opiates and opioids (I believe the distinction is that the former are actually made from the poppy, while the latter are synthetic) are the ones that cause constipation.

[MoonCat]

Definitely call your doctor. He or she should have discussed this with you before the surgery.

When I had mine out, the first thing I ate afterward was Greek yogurt. Lots of good stuff in there to help get the intestinal bacteria back on track. I was really worried about having food go right through me because my mom had that problem for years after getting her gallbladder removed, and my one sister has some continuing problems for the same reason. I, thank the gods, have not had nearly as much of that problem. My body adjusted. Everybody is different, so please call the doc and ask for some advice.

[Seshat]

The gallbladder helps you to digest fats (and possibly oils). It's not your only method of digesting fats/oils, but your future diet will depend on which fats and oils you prefer to eat and how efficient your own, individual body is at digesting them.

As others have said, any surgery, but most especially abdominal surgery, affects your guts. For some surgeries, they have to move coils of intestine out of the way!

The hospital may well have a post-surgery enquiry line for you to call; otherwise ask your doctor, pharmacist, nurse-practitioner, nurse ....

For long-term dietary advice, I strongly suggest getting to know a dietitician or nutritionist: someone you can consult on a regular basis while you and your body are adjusting to the new situation, and then check in with every year or two when things have settled down.

[CoffeeMonkey]

For those who prefer exotic fruits, are plantains (starchier relative of bananas), papayas, pineapples, and pomengranates OK?.

I...don't know, actually. My guess would be that basically, any fruit that is full of fiber and high moisture content would be good for this purpose. I don't know for sure what it is about those P fruits is magical. I just know about it cuz my mom, who is a pediatric RN, tells the parents of little kids who are having bathroom troubles that fruits that start with P make you go poop.

My best guess would be that the only thing on THAT list I might avoid would be the plantain. Reasoning being, that bananas are part of the BRATTY diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, tea, toast, yogurt) that you eat when you're having the OTHER sort of tummy trouble, and therefore might bind you up a bit. That's just based on my own reasoning, not on scientific knowhow, though.

[AccountingDrone]

I...don't know, actually. My guess would be that basically, any fruit that is full of fiber and high moisture content would be good for this purpose. I don't know for sure what it is about those P fruits is magical. I just know about it cuz my mom, who is a pediatric RN, tells the parents of little kids who are having bathroom troubles that fruits that start with P make you go poop.

My best guess would be that the only thing on THAT list I might avoid would be the plantain. Reasoning being, that bananas are part of the BRATTY diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, tea, toast, yogurt) that you eat when you're having the OTHER sort of tummy trouble, and therefore might bind you up a bit. That's just based on my own reasoning, not on scientific knowhow, though.

Pectin content - the ultimate in water soluable fiber! Apple sauce, apple sauce apple sauce.

Last operation I had, my favorite recovery food was apple sauce and live culture [and homemade] yoghurt 1:1 with a dab of honey and cinnamon. I added toasted whole grain bread [made with lots of crunchies like wheatberries, flax seed and the like, King Arthur Flour sells multigoodie additions for breads] bananas, grapes and poached chicken.

[shanarocks]

My older sister and a friend have both had their ball bladders out in the past 2 months, as did my father some years ago. The air bubble is going to cause some pain and discomfort, no doubt. As was mentioned before, add OTC laxitives to your daily medicines. It will help with getting everything flowing again. Take it easy and get lots of rest.

[wolfie]

As was mentioned before, add OTC laxitives to your daily medicines.

Not in the medical profession, but it's my understanding that there are several "modes of action" for OTC laxatives. Some (Metamucil) provide bulk so that the system doesn't get bogged down due to having nothing to process. Others (phenolpthalien) try to kick things into action even if there's nothing to move, and are somewhat violent in their effect. Which "modes of action" for OTC laxatives should people in this situation look for, and which should they avoid?