Fatty Liver with Gall Bladder removal?

[Cindyh1958]

Wondering how many here had a fatty liver that progressed after gall bladder removal. From what I have read once the gall bladder is removed ox bile or bile salts should be taken to help the liver process the fat in your food. I didn’t know this until 1 year after my removal so I wonder if this had anything to do with my fatty liver. Anyone else have this experience?

[LeiL]

I was diagnosed with NASH simultaneous with the need to have my Gallbladder removed. I’ve had two different opinions on the need for Oxbile supplements after surgery. My hepatologist said no, but GP said yes.

[VioletIris in reply to LeiL]

I had my gallbladder removed; I haven't taken any supplements, but the specialist did tell me to take Vitamin E daily, so I've been doing that.

[Cindyh1958 in reply to LeiL]

So do you take them or not? I have been taking them and the pain in my liver as definitely subsided along with diet and exercise changes.

[LeiL in reply to Cindyh1958]

I recently stopped. But I did take them dedicated for about 6 months and sporadically over a different 12 month time span. What I found is that they definitely help digestive issues and right side pain but that I shouldn’t take them with EVERY meal——just with a dinner meal was best for me. My latest MRE in January 2023 shows no fibrosis and no fat.

I ‘ve had 2 naturopaths and one regular GP to recommend.

[Cindyh1958 in reply to LeiL]

Thank you. I will continue to take them with the meals that contain more fat as from what I read they help break it down in your liver.

[LeiL in reply to Cindyh1958]

I’m now drinking a bit of homemade kefir everyday.

[Nalabanana]

Hi I had my gallbladder removed then went on to have nalfd I've had all the scans and a biopsy last may ,I am lucky as I'm a long way of from cirrhosis so just check ups for now .

[ThyroidDeb]

I had my gallbladder removed approximately in 2008. My GP has never said to take anything. In fact, this is first I have heard of it. My first ultrasound that showed fatty liver was years after. Around 2018 but my primary never referred me to anyone and I was never told I had it. Then I had another 1.5 years ago. Primary wasn't concerned but referred me this time thinking GP would just monitor. He was going to do just that but decided to run more test and here I am. He had me at stage 4 said if I watched my diet and lost weight I'd have 9 years but that could change at any time. Long story short. I referred to hepotoligist he did biopsy, stage 1 with mild fatty liver. Instead of followup test every 6 months it's once a year. I watch the diet, exercise, lost 75 pounds and take a multi vitamin with E and added extra vitamin C. Have my first yearly next month...here's hoping all is well.

[purple_red]

Good Luck at your yearly visit How are you feeling after your diet change & weight loss?

[Drifters_Spark]

I had my gallbladder removed and two years later I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, NAFLD, and stage 4 cirrhosis.

I didn’t have many symptoms for liver disease other than fatigue, occasional water retention, and E.D.

My LFT’s remain normal unless I’m dealing with an infection or medication that causes LFT’s to rise above normal levels.

I’ve met quite a few people who had their gallbladder removed and subsequently developed liver disease. I believe my liver was compromised from incompetent doctors who were going to discharge me from the hospital when my gallbladder was about to rupture.

After I demanded a third opinion from an independent doctor, not affiliated or employed with the hospital, I was deemed to be in serious and potentially fatal health condition.

After emergency surgery I developed a severe infection, with multiple complications including severe constipation which the hospital refused to treat with prescription medication . Subsequently I developed hepatic encephalopathy, fluid in my abdomen and lungs, edema, while constantly running a high grade fever.

I firmly believe that the ruptured gallbladder and the complicatied surgery together with neglect in diagnosis , treatment, and care, which included discharging me with a high grade fever led to many of the medical problems I’ve been experiencing for 10 years.

BTW, after discharging me with a high fever I was sent home via a taxi because the doctor was in a hurry to get to his date to attend a NBA game, and the hospital couldn’t find his discharge orders.

Two days later my brother found me nearly unconscious and unresponsive in my home with a fever over 104. He carried me out of the house and put me in his car and rushed me back to the hospital where I spent nearly a month.

Sorry for the long story. The Hospital denied any wrongdoing doing as did the Hospital’s group of contracted physicians, however the Ohysicians LLC reviewed my medical records and dismissed all charges for their professional services.

I urge you to find a good hepatology specialist. One that you can trust and feel comfortable with. One who has a great support system and staff.

In 2013, I nearly died and I was given a life expectancy of 2-5 years by several doctors including my first hepatologist.

Fortunately, I was assigned a much more compassionate, positive, supportive, doctor who had an integrative approach for my medical care.

He supported the research I did and supported me taking supplements I was taking. He advisesd which ones were promising and which ones he thought may cause harm or no benefit. As one of the leaders In research of liver disorders on my side my Fibroscan scores dropped from the highest level the scan can register to 17 , 15, 14, and 11 at one point. My Meld score remained low. After following a strict diet, exercise 5-7 days a week. Extensive Sauna usage and adding and or changing supplements over the years.

Best of luck with your journey, Be your own advocate, find doctors who will be honest about your condition, prognosis, treatments, symptom management, Diet, exercise, reducing stress, which are lifestyle changes may result in better health and wellness and improve your chances for a better outcome and quality of life.

[Dasil7]

My only opinion is that I’ve found a study or 2 that links gallbladder removal with fatty liver, many presenting with cirrhosis.

Now, the question for me is the whole chicken or the egg. They’re dying to take my gallbladder out and I’ve refused so far because so long as I eat low fat, it’s ok.

However, I was just diagnosed with moderate fatty liver. So I wonder, 1) with the whole, “female, fat and over 40,” how many of the patients who had their gallbladder out had pre-existing but unknown fatty liver and 2) how many of those people went back to eating whatever they wanted which is what most surgeons tell you at gb consults, ultimately doing nothing to change their lifestyle and they just kept progressing? 🤷‍♀️

[Cindyh1958 in reply to Dasil7]

Yes it’s definitely something to ponder. I at one point was told I had a fatty liver many years before my gall bladder was taken out. Then they told me it was fine no more fatty liver but I had sludge in my gall bladder and alot of pain so out the gall bladder came. I resumed my half healthy diet afterwards and now I am showing fatty liver again along with liver cysts that they don’t seem concerned about. I have totally changed my diet to eating healthy and no sugar so hoping my next ultra sound will be better.

[Hidden]

Yes, my Gallbladder was removed over 15 years ago, and to think doctors said it wouldn't affect anything to have it removed.