March 11, 2001
Other Illnesses
Question from Okawville, Illinois, USA:
About a year ago, I had my gallbladder removed, and within two months, I had not only gained back the fifty pounds I had previously lost, but 20 more pounds. Since the surgery my bowel habits have changed. I go more often (three to four times a day), I have had bouts of diarrhea for the last six months or so, and sometimes my movement is green. I eat fairly healthy, hardly any beef, and I drink over a gallon of water a day. Is something wrong?
Answer:
It is difficult to say whether something is wrong. The diarrhea could be related to your gall bladder no longer being present, although not necessarily. Drinking a gallon of water a day could be a sign of diabetes, especially since you have gained a lot of weight.
I recommend that you see your primary care physician and/or your gallbladder surgeon to be evaluated with a physical exam and some blood tests, and possibly some other tests on your bowels.
ML
