How to get rid of nausea symptoms after gallbladder removal

Gall bladder removal, medically known as cholecystectomy, often leaves the patient with a number of rather unpleasant after effects. For this reason, it usually put aside as a last resort. It is only in cases of gall bladder cancer, or porcelain bladder, a condition that often ends up in cancer, that gall bladder removal is the chosen form of treatment. When treating gall stones, it is always advisable to begin with lifestyle measures and dietary changes, and if necessary move on to medications aimed at dissolving the gall stones. If this does not work, a doctor will usually try using extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, in which ultrasonic waves are used to shatter the stones. Gall bladder removal is the very last option, and is used in only a small number of cases.

You of course are already beyond such choices, but I hope that you have already explored them thoroughly. In any case, what is important for you now is to help your digestive system to function properly without a gall bladder. Since it has only been a month since your surgery, your system may still be settling down, and some minor lifestyle changes may be all that you need. The main thing is to avoid high fat foods, and eat several small meals over the course of the day. As you are probably already aware, the gall bladder plays an important role in the digestion of fats. Bile, an essential digestive fluid, is produced in the liver constantly, but it is then stored in the gall bladder. Only once the fats enter the liver, this bile is released. On the other hand, without a gall bladder, small amounts of bile are constantly being released into your intestine, directly from your liver. This tiny amount is all that is available for digestion of fats at any point of time. Therefore, consumption of high fat foods or simply large amounts of food is quite likely to leave you feeling bloated and nauseous. Many patients also complain of frequent indigestion and diarrhea.

As mentioned earlier, the solution is to eat small meals - just enough so that the fat can be properly digested. It is advisable to avoid high fat foods, as these are not healthy in any case, but remember that some amount of fat is necessary for your body. If in a couple of months you find that your symptoms persist or have worsened, you can ask your doctor about the possibility of taking bile salts to aid digestion.

answered by G M

It is absolutely essential that you follow some strict guidelines concerning your diet for at least six months after the removal of your gall bladder. The reason for this is that the gall bladder is responsible for producing bile, which helps with digesting complex foods. Once the gall bladder is removed, the production of bile completely stops in the body. A direct result of this is that complex foods do not get digested, and stick to the body as fat. This is a reason why a lot of people complain the way you are doing about feeling bloated and queasy. It is also important to remember that post operative indigestion and gas are extremely common, so you need to take extra special care of your diet post operatively. Your body will need an adjustment period of at least six months to come to terms with its new and changed chemistry. You need to remember to be patient.

It goes without saying that you must stay away from oily food for the duration. The best thing to eat at this stage would be fresh fruits and vegetables. These constitute simple vitamins, minerals and proteins and will be easily ingested and digested. They will also help you to maintain weight and not feel bloated. If you eat cooked food, try to make sure it is cooked in olive oil or safflower oil, which is relatively lighter than canola or vegetable oil. This will also help your digestion problems. It is also advisable to avoid consuming milk and milk products for at least three months after your operation. Bear in mind that all these precautionary measures will make you lose quite a bit of weight. But this would be a healthy step in the right direction. If you can manage to stick to a diet for about six months, you should not have any lasting problems after that.

answered by G M