Anyone have bile salt diarrhea before surgery (from gall bladder surgery)?

[ready2B 263]

Hi - I am wondering how this will go. I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and was one of the *lucky* few who now has chronic bile salt diarrhea as a result. I have to take medication daily to "bind with the bile" so I can have somewhat normal bowel movements and not be too afraid to leave the house. I was hoping if I have gastric bypass, the surgeon could just "fix that while he's in there" but he kinda laughed and said it doesn't work that way.

So if there is anyone out there who also has this side effect from their gallbladder, did it change either for better or worse with WLS? Did you have more diarrhea or less? Did you have to change medications? I am worried about how I will keep that fine balance between not having chronic diarrhea and also not getting constipated because I certainly don't want to end up with an obstruction.

Got any insights, tips, etc?

[kyrickchick64 468]

I have ibs since my gall bladder came out in 94. I never head of chronic bile salt diarrhea. But I do have to worry about making it to the bathroom in time. I'm hoping the surgery will help with it.

[ready2B 263]

kyrickchick64 - You should Google "bile salt diarrhea." I had no idea what it was until a friend told me about it, my doctors never did. If you've had problems since your gallbladder came out, it could be that and not IBS The good news is it is treatable with medication (it's a cholesterol medicine so you end up with really good cholesterol too!) If I don't take it, like you, I am scared I won't make it to the bathroom in time.

What surgery are you going to have?

[kyrickchick64 468]

Im going for the sleeve. I'm still getting my ducks in a row. Endoscopy on Wednesday. Killing myself trying to stay on the 1200 cal diet. Trying to eat right forcing the vegetables in(I ate mushrooms and spinach in my omelette this morning.

[kyrickchick64 468]

I just read about it. It sounds very similar to what I have.

[ready2B 263]

Good luck with everything! I am waiting just for insurance approval now. Talk to your doctor about taking Welchol or there's a powdered version for after your surgery. It has really given me my life back and saved me from unspeakable embarrassment! My surgeon said only about 3% of people

who get their gallbladder out get this lovely little side effect.

[une nouvelle vie 327]

My doctor never gave me the name chronic bile salt diarrhea but that's what I lived through for years. I took a powdered cholesterol medication to bind me up for several years. I'm just a little over 2 months out from my gastric sleeve and I haven't had to take that medication once.

In fact, I barely have bowel movements at all. I have maybe two a week, sometimes only one week and just this week have added a stool softener and chewable Fiber to help me along. After YEARS of having the opposite problem it is definitely different.

I can't speak to the gastric bypass doing the same, but it sure has changed for me with the sleeve.

[millergirl314 168]

Interesting read, thank you. I'm 6mos post op sleeve and had my gall bladder remove a week ago and wondered if the diarrhea will eventually go away, it may or may not, at least I don't have to deal with the gall bladder attacks anymore more, but my toosh is getting sore lol