Who needs a gallbladder anyway?

So life without a gallbladder is just fine. I am getting back to normal again, although normal is a relative thing. I am not totally sure what my new normal is, yet.

I don't have much of an appetite, I can't even eat the 4 oz. of food I should at each meal. My worry is that I am not getting in enough protein. I am supposed to eat at least 60 grams of protein per day - that means 15 grams at each of my 4 meals. Without enough protein I will burn away muscle instead of fat. I am adding extra protein to my protein drinks and just about anything else I put in my mouth.

I am really low energy, but am determined to start exercising. I will hit the gym this week.

Last Wednesday, I went to the WLS support group at Stanford. There were about 20 women there who have had gastric by-pass, lap-band or gastric sleeve surgeries. There were a few there who had not had surgery yet as well. It was great to share our experiences and hear from those who were at the 1 year mark. To see their success was inspiring. I think I will attend this meeting again.

For those who are wondering about where the gallbladder is and what it does here is some info took from webmd.com:

What is cholecystitis?

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, a small organ near the liver that plays a part in digesting food. Normally, fluid called bile passes out of thegallbladder on its way to the small intestine. If the flow of bile is blocked, it builds up inside the gallbladder, causing swelling, pain, and possible infection.

What causes cholecystitis?

A gallstone stuck in the cystic duct, a tube that carries bile from the gallbladder, is most often the cause of sudden (acute) cholecystitis. The gallstoneblocks fluid from passing out of the gallbladder. This results in an irritated and swollen gallbladder.