Looking to start tomorrow, but I have a couple of concerns. I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and ever since I’ve had trouble with what I call “morning IBS”. I can’t seem to tolerate fat or anything heavy in the morning, so I don’t typically eat before noon. Has anyone successfully been able to follow this WOE without their gallbladder, or with a system that is sensitive to morning fat? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Can I Keto without a gallbladder?
elastoplastic
("Don't call it calories, call it food")
#2
Hi @Electra
I am on week 7 or 8 of keto. I don’t have a gallbladder (removed 2009), and I have a history of pancreatic problems.
I am no expert, and clearly I am new at this, but I love this WOE. However, I will say that I never experienced the symptoms that you describe post-gallbladder removal. I struggled with pancreatic pain when I tried keto this past January, but I never had IBS type symptoms.
I have had chronic mal-absorption of vitamins and medication for the last nine years, most likely due to my missing gallbladder. I take bile and digestive enzymes to help with this (though, I have stopped recently as my enzymes are making me nauseous and I need to switch brands).
It may be that keto helps you - it may be that it won’t work, and that you will experience even more pain, and digestive symptoms.
One thing I will say is that many people find that they can easily go 16 hours without eating once they are fat-adapted (which usually takes 6-8 weeks on keto). If you can stick it out that long, and your symptoms are only confined to the morning, you may find that keto helps you get through those morning hours without hunger.
Feel free to ask me any specific questions - I am guessing there are others on the forum who may be better informed or more experienced, but I am happy to help.
daddyoh
(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!)
#3
I’m following this post because my wife does not have a gallbladder and is concerned about starting keto. She is low carb but not low enough for keto.
CFLBob
(Central Florida Bob )
#4
From what I read some people have troubles while others don’t. It seems that the majority doesn’t have trouble, but I don’t have numbers.
I don’t have troubles. I had my gall bladder removed in '16; I had been keto for a while at that point, and haven’t had any troubles in the last two years, following Keto all of it.
I’m afraid that the only way you’ll really know is to put in the time to try. Which can take a month or more.
OldDoug
(Doug)
#5
July 2015 mine was removed. I sort of watched things for the first week - this was pre-keto and fasting for me, but had no problems and since I’ve eaten very large quantities of fast and/or protein, and had no problems at all.
DiMo
(Diane)
#6
Both my sister and brother in law have had their gall bladders removed. They’ve been doing Keto since January 2018. She had no issues at all with eating ketogenically. He had issues early on and always had to supplement with ox bile supplements, or he felt miserable after meals. Did very well as long as he took ox bile with food. About a month ago, he was out of town and forgot his bottle of ox bile. Went ahead and ate. Had no issues like he was having before. Hasn’t needed to take them since.
He thinks that maybe his gut bacteria have altered and now assist with the digestion of fat?? He has stated how much better he feels with a ketogenic diet than he did before.
cg68doc
(Hoby Bradfield)
#7
Yes, you can do keto without a gallbladder… you may need to take digestive enzymes to help with the fat load until your liver can catch up… but, then you may not… give it a whirl and see how it works for you…
jessOTR
(Jessica)
#8
I’m still pretty new, but I haven’t had a gallbladder since 2010 and I’ve had digestive problems since. I was like a clock. 45 minutes after eating, especially meat-heavy meals, I’d better be near a bathroom. When I started keto I will say it was worse for a week or 2. I stuck with it, though, and now I can’t remember the last time I had an “attack” like that. I’m sure it will still happen occasionally… It might tonight (mmmmmm. ribs…) But it’s definitely less frequent than before keto.
mamasanford
(Nickie)
#9
I don’t have a gallbladder and experience IBS issues any time of day as long as I am eating fat as my first meal. I had the same issues when I wasn’t on keto if I ate fat so it really makes no difference to me. Unfortunately I have just learned to live with it.
Silvian
(Nicole Silvia)
#10
I found some good YouTube video advice on this very topic. I forget which Dr. it was, but he had a lot of recommendations.
Paendora
(back and doublin' down)
#12
No gallbladder since 2011. I had severe constipation and reflux no matter what I ate or drank. A month into keto (since April '18) dropped the anti-acids. Took enzymes for a bit just because of reading things here and wondering if I was getting all the nutrition possible from my food, but quit taking them within a month because I didn’t see that much difference.
Everything got better, and then really improved after a series of extended fasts. The only time I have gastric issues now is when I eat raw veggies/salad.
Give it a go ~ and good luck!
devhammer
(G. Andrew Duthie)
#14
I’m also in the no gallbladder club.
I’ve been doing various LC/keto approaches for years, and more recently incorporating both short and longer fasts.
I’ve never taken bile or other digestive supplements. I do have the occasional loose stool, which could be related to the go, but for the most part I don’t see any issues.
Of late, I’m giving carnivore a try, and so far, it doesn’t seem to be changing anything one way or the other, apart from getting to eat even more delicious food.
Adriana
(Adriana)
#15
I’m in week 4 of keto (lost 12 kg so far 
), no gallbladder since 2005, I had stomach problems during the first week of keto, acid reflux (never had it before) and just after eating I had diarrhea; reduced my fat intake (no bulletproof coffee, moderate amount of fat when cooking) and the problems stopped, I have been slowly increasing my fat intake since that day, distributing my macros in three meals instead of having one “fat loaded” meal and I have been feeling fine so far.
mememe
#17
I had mine removed last November, so not even 12 months. I don’t seem to have had any issues which other people didn’t. Tho I was very very sick during the first week!
MamaJ
(J)
#18
22 years without a gallbladder. Lifetime of chronic IBS. 4 months keto. 3 months with no IBS symptoms.
Alpha
(Omar)
#20
If I may ask are you on carnivore diet or just plain keto?
Do you eat vigitables and fermentable fibers?
thanks