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Posted 7/22/2009 12:11 PM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone.  First of all,  I would like to say that this forum is an awesome source of information and support.  I have been lurking on here for a few years now and have found the posts and information to be extremely helpful when dealing with this condition.  The people on here are awesome as well (especially the Mods) and I almost feel like I know all of you (maybe a little too well :-) ).

Anyhow, on to the subject of my first post.  I am scheduled for gall bladder surgery to remove my gall bladder next Monday due to Polyps that were discovered during my annual abdominal ultrasounds (required while taking 6-MP).  My surgeon and my GI both recommended having it removed due to the possibility of the polyps being cancerous.  However, my surgeon mentioned that people with UC that have their gall bladder removed often have increased diarrhea, especially after eating (like I need more of this!! shakehead ).  My GI didnt think it would be much of an issue and recommended having the gall bladder removed.  Has anyone here had their gall bladder removed and experienced any complications afterwards?  I have been concerned about this for awhile and thought maybe I could get some feedback from all of you.

Thanks in advance and I feel honored to finally be an official member of the UC HealingWell family!!

Posted 7/22/2009 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Tim, it isn't just people with UC. Problems with D can appear in anyone after gall bladder removal, and are mostly related to the fat content of the food eaten. Because the gall bladder typically releases extra bile to deal with large amounts of dietary fat and it is now gone, you can get diarrhea.

For a very small number of people, this is a real problem. Most people are able to control it by avoiding high-fat foods.
Posted 7/22/2009 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Judy.  I try to keep my diet low in fat so hopefully it won't be much of a problem.  I was also just interested to see what others experience was like after having the gall bladder removed in relation to their UC.

Posted 7/22/2009 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
I had my gall bladder removed many years ago. I was only 27. It was in 1979 before laproscopic. I was told my Gall Bladder was infected and it was probably related to my UC. So I have been living with no gall bladder since then. Honestly I never noticed an increase in the D. Then again with UC that was already a problem. What I did notice was this: I had to be really careful with the intake of some foods. I could eat eggs but only if they were not cooked in butter. In fact I avoid real butter; I can eat a few French Fries but not a lot. Moderation is the key. And avoid really fatty foods.
Other than that I have had no real problems living these last 30 years without a gall bladder.
Posted 7/22/2009 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had my galbladder out a year ago and was told to expect D afterwards for quite some time.  I had it out before I was diagnosed with UC,  so when I started getting symptoms it was passed off as a consequence of my GB being out.  All in all I do not eat a  high fat diet but yet I still get D pretty much 99% of the time.  My GI told me once it was possible that having my GB out could be making my UC worse by food not being broken down properly so it enters the GI tract still intact and makes it harder on the colon. 

In any case, I'm still glad I had my GB removed.  I would rather live with UC than with throwing up everything I ate because of my GB.  And if you have the D afterwards, just think, at least you'll never be constipated!   tongue  

Posted 7/24/2009 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
I had my gallbladder removed last July and have not had an increase in D. My GI told me that it really depends on the person and the diet that person is able to tolerate. I am glad I decided to have mine out. I had no gall stones, however it wasn't functioning. I could not justify leaving it in since it was possibly adding to my pain. Good luck
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