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Do I Need Supplements With Bile Salts To Be Able To Properly Digest Fats After Gallbladder Removal Surgery?
Question: I had my gallbladder removed a few years ago. I have had issues with bloating even before I got my gallbladder removed. I've read online that you need to supplement with bile salts (ox bile) to be able to properly digest fats after surgery. Is this true? Also will gallbladder removal make it hard to lose weight?
Brief Answer:
Depends on how well are you digesting fat post gall bladder removal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As per your query answer is that there is no harm in adding urodeoxycholic acid 300mg tablets twice daily.This would help you in digesting fat more properly.
Even after removal of gallbladder bile production is not hampered as it is produced by liver. However in some patients suffering from bloating belching etc supplementation is required. Depends on how well your body is digesting fats after surgery.
No it won't have any effect on your weight loss.However as some patients can't digest fat properly it may help them in weight loss.
Regards!
Depends on how well are you digesting fat post gall bladder removal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
As per your query answer is that there is no harm in adding urodeoxycholic acid 300mg tablets twice daily.This would help you in digesting fat more properly.
Even after removal of gallbladder bile production is not hampered as it is produced by liver. However in some patients suffering from bloating belching etc supplementation is required. Depends on how well your body is digesting fats after surgery.
No it won't have any effect on your weight loss.However as some patients can't digest fat properly it may help them in weight loss.
Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you so much for your answer.
I wanted to explain a little more about the bloating. It's more of a tightness and pressure in my upper gi area. More near my chest. It isn't always after eating a meal either. Sometimes I wake up feeling it. Also I do not show other signs of not digesting fat like light colored stools or nausea and I do eat a pretty high fat diet, healthy fats though. I never have diarrhea after eating either.
Would this tightness/pressure/fullness feeling in my upper abdominal (chest) area be caused by not digesting fats? And would the urodeoxycholic acid help this?
Also what other signs would I look for to know if I am not digesting fats well?
What kind of bloating does fat malabsorption cause? upper or lower?
I wanted to explain a little more about the bloating. It's more of a tightness and pressure in my upper gi area. More near my chest. It isn't always after eating a meal either. Sometimes I wake up feeling it. Also I do not show other signs of not digesting fat like light colored stools or nausea and I do eat a pretty high fat diet, healthy fats though. I never have diarrhea after eating either.
Would this tightness/pressure/fullness feeling in my upper abdominal (chest) area be caused by not digesting fats? And would the urodeoxycholic acid help this?
Also what other signs would I look for to know if I am not digesting fats well?
What kind of bloating does fat malabsorption cause? upper or lower?
Brief Answer:
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1)Very likely not related to your fat or diet.
2)I don't think that urodeoxycholic acid would help you as you are already digesting fats well.
3)Fat malabsorbtion can cause both upper or lower belly bloating.
Very likely your problem is caused either due to cardiac involvement or acid peptic disorder.
Few tests like 2d echo and stress test shoukd be done to rule out cardiac involvement.
Once cardiac cause is cleared we can move for acid peptic disorder.
Regards.
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1)Very likely not related to your fat or diet.
2)I don't think that urodeoxycholic acid would help you as you are already digesting fats well.
3)Fat malabsorbtion can cause both upper or lower belly bloating.
Very likely your problem is caused either due to cardiac involvement or acid peptic disorder.
Few tests like 2d echo and stress test shoukd be done to rule out cardiac involvement.
Once cardiac cause is cleared we can move for acid peptic disorder.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I think you might one right about acid peptic disorder. How do you treat that?
Brief Answer:
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Treatment and lifestyle changes are as follows-
1. Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day. Zantac is an acid reducer that decreases acid production by 70%, allowing the tissues to heal. You may need to take this for a month or longer. I prefer Zantac to the proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec, etc) because it is safer and does not have the risk of discontinuation rebound hyperacidity when it is stopped.
2. Do not lie down for 2-3 hrs after eating.
3. Avoid acidic foods - citrus, tomatoes, juices
4. Decrease caffeine (colas, coffee) and sodas in general.
5. Decrease alcohol or completely stop it.
6. If you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to stop. They increase acid production and delay healing.
7. If you are overweight through the middle, that increases the risk of reflux. Try to decrease your weight (if overweight) slowly over time.
8. Eat smaller amounts at a time so there is less pressure in the stomach which can reflux acid into the stomach.
9. Avoid eating/drinking mint (it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter which can allow more acid up).
If these changes don't help enough, it is time to see your doctor. Your dr. may want you to have an endoscopy (visualizes the esophagus, stomach, with a fiberoptic tube), or manometry (pressure testing of the esophagus).
Regards!
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Treatment and lifestyle changes are as follows-
1. Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day. Zantac is an acid reducer that decreases acid production by 70%, allowing the tissues to heal. You may need to take this for a month or longer. I prefer Zantac to the proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec, etc) because it is safer and does not have the risk of discontinuation rebound hyperacidity when it is stopped.
2. Do not lie down for 2-3 hrs after eating.
3. Avoid acidic foods - citrus, tomatoes, juices
4. Decrease caffeine (colas, coffee) and sodas in general.
5. Decrease alcohol or completely stop it.
6. If you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to stop. They increase acid production and delay healing.
7. If you are overweight through the middle, that increases the risk of reflux. Try to decrease your weight (if overweight) slowly over time.
8. Eat smaller amounts at a time so there is less pressure in the stomach which can reflux acid into the stomach.
9. Avoid eating/drinking mint (it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter which can allow more acid up).
If these changes don't help enough, it is time to see your doctor. Your dr. may want you to have an endoscopy (visualizes the esophagus, stomach, with a fiberoptic tube), or manometry (pressure testing of the esophagus).
Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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