Re: Could a poor diet during late childhood and teen years lead to poor liver function and gallstones?

Hi Sarah,

Me again! :)

Anything is possible and one can generalize that healthy eating/lifestyle prevent gallbladder problems.

What happens during pregnancy is that hormonal changes slow down the digestive system in general. (Maybe to allow more time for nutrient absorption? I have no idea why.) The gallbladder can get clogged with what doctors call, literally, "sludge." I had some gallbladder issues when my girls were about a year old and had all of this explained to me. (You're told to avoid eating fats because fats cause the gallbladder to constrict and expel the contents, including the painful stones.)

I would think about checking out the Liver/Gallbladder Flush forum and looking for posts from people who have done some cleansing post-GB removal. THere are many. The point being, you can still get stones (intrahepatic, or liver, stones), and that it might be a good idea to consider some Liver Flushing now that your GB has been taken away.

I remember getting a GB scan last fall. The tech told me, "Oh, it's a completely unneccesary organ! Some people aren't even born with one!" Well, not so. Many people fuction quite well without one, but a lot of people have terrible stomach pain and problems (GI distress, loose bowels) post-GB removal. Liver Flushing can help with that.

I think, separately, that it must have been a very challenging experience to go from the health and safety of a nuturing home into your aunt's house where you seemed to be treated as an afterthought. I really admire, in light of that story, your dedication to being such a good mom. I think one of the many gifts of motherhood is that we get to "correct" situations we could not control as children by doing them differently with our own kids and you are really doing that with your little one and the new baby on the way!

Laura