Breastfeeding after gall bladder surgery

by Melinda
(Utah)

My baby is 2 1/2 months old and breastfeeding is going great. My concern is, I had my gall bladder removed on 12/28 and have had diarrhea ever since. I am concerned that it will affect the quality of my milk. If I'm not producing adequate bile to digest what I'm eating, is the baby going to get what he needs?

Answer from the lactation consultant

Cholecystectomies or Gallbladder removals are very common post partum due to hormonal fluctuations. What you are describing could be Postcholecystectomy Syndrome although diarrhea is VERY common after the surgery.

The purpose of the gallbladder is to store the bile then send it on to the intestines, the liver makes bile and actually makes MORE after a gallbladder is removed to compensate for it not being there. The bile salts simply have to find there new place and in the meantime can cause heartburn issues and/or diarrhea.

I am not aware of any negative effects to the baby due to the the bile salts. It is my understanding that if you are having diarrhea after the surgery, your diet might need to be tweeked and there are medications your surgeon can prescribe to ease your discomfort. I would talk to the surgeon about that. Many moms I have worked with are encouraged to take Metamucil or Citracal to help bulk stools after the surgery: ask your doctor about this.

Concerning the baby, as long as he/she is eating normally, is not fussy, does not spit up or have watery stools (most breastfeed stools are loose but not watery) and continues to gain weight; I would not worry.

So sorry you have had to go through surgery after baby got here.

Hope this helps,

Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC