Has anyone out there had to get

[scrapweaver]

their gall bladder removed? I am booked in for October for surgery, but all of a sudden I am SO bloated and nauseous (which is making it really hard to go to work) . . anyone have any suggestions for food that won't exacerbate the problem?? My hubby found the 'BRAT' diet (perfect for me he reckons haha) which is bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Applesauce is fine, love it . . just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for some variety. Thanks guys.

[cardinalskate]

Ugh! Hope you get some suggestions that help. That sounds a bit miserable.

[Darcy Baldwin]

((HUGS))

Honestly - no fat. Fat is what causes more problems..and acid-inducing foods. That's different for everyone, but whatever makes you have stomach acid is going to make you feel worse. If it coninues, I'd talk to your GP about pushing the date up a bit, or if there is something he can do to give you some relief.

Tums. Lots of tums. I know Tums doesn't help the gall bladder, but it helped reduce the acid that created more stress (and I didn't even know I had a gall bladder problem, yet). But the acid creates gas which can then irritate your gall bladder when it's already stressed.

A gentle food diet is really what you need til it's time to have it removed.

[scrapweaver]

Originally Posted by cardinalskate

Ugh! Hope you get some suggestions that help. That sounds a bit miserable.

It's just horrible!

Thanks Darcy - I had to look up Tums, which is like our Rennies over here, I will have to go buy more tomorrow. I cant have dairy (omg, fresh cream so yum but so NO!!) I dont think I can do anything about the surgery date, I am just thankful that it's not too far away. I actually tried to get in to see the Dr today, but no luck (cant get in til next week). I am going to try some low fat rice pud and see how I go too. Tonight I dined on applesauce and cruskits with vegemite LOL. I actually feel a little better, after having nothing to eat all day. Actually, I tell a lie - I had buscopan and ginger beer today (I find that ginger beer is helping the nausea)

[mariewilcox]

Like Darcy said, definitely the fat content - including the fat found in chocolate! And fresh cream - lots of fat there - LOL! The one and only time I ever had a gallbladder attack was after eating homemade gravy on my turkey for Thanksgiving years ago. The fat just about killed me that night. Since becoming a vegetarian 25+ years ago I haven't had any gravy and no other problems - LOL.

[mrshobbes]

Yup, the hubs had his removed last April. Without the gall bladder the bile your body releases is not as concentrated, so it can't break down fat as effectively (or at all). We haven't really done any radical changes to the hubs' diet, but through trial and error there are really some things he can't digest anymore (he gets nauseous or his stomach aches bad)--one of which is KFC gravy, much to his horror.

ETA: omg my grammar was atrocious.

[kscwgirl]

I had mine out.. and I'm so glad that I did. I have problems with cheese on occasion, but other than that, I'm fine.

[scrapperjade]

I haven't had mine out, but it does flare up now and again, and it's terrible! 2 of my sisters and my mom have had theirs out though. My mom's was so bad before hers was removed that even the smell of bacon was enough to set it off!! She was miserable!

I'm hoping mine doesn't get that bad, but I'm not holding on to THAT much hope, lol!!

[mrspotts]

Originally Posted by Darcy Baldwin

((HUGS))
Tums. Lots of tums. I know Tums doesn't help the gall bladder, but it helped reduce the acid that created more stress (and I didn't even know I had a gall bladder problem, yet). But the acid creates gas which can then irritate your gall bladder when it's already stressed.

Tread carefully with the tums. I was only 20 when I started having galbladder attacks. Everyone thought I had indegestion/heart burn so I went and got me a pack of tums. I ate one, and about 10 mins later started puking my guts out and rolling around on the floor.

Watching your diet and staying away from grease is your best bet. However staying on the BRAT diet for a month probably isn't all that healthy for you either. Hope you feel better!

[scrapweaver]

thanks everyone xx

[Andrea Gourley]

I've had mine out and actually the closer I got to my operation the worse I got until pretty much anything I ate set it all off. Cereal and skimmed milk was the best thing for me. I don't actually like milk so I only have it on my cereal to wet it so I kinda lived on cereal for ages.

Good luck, having mine removed was one of the best things I've done. I didn't really have a choice as I was so ill but after I had recovered from the op I realised how much better I felt - and I wasn't jaundice yellow anymore either!