Stool Color-No Change after Gallbladder Surgery

[lovinlife918]

I have a question about stool color. I had a endoscopy, colonoscopy, gallbladder ultrasound, hida scan, and blood work done this summer. I was having issues with swallowing, pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen, and yellow/light brown stools. The endoscopy and colonoscopy were normal. My ultra sound for the gall bladder was also normal. However, the hida scan indicated a fraction rate of 31%. I am a 31 year old male. As a result, it was recommended that I have my gallbladder removed. I went through the laprosopic surgery two weeks ago.

I am feeling better. I don't have the pain as much as I did prior to the surgery. However, my stools are still the same color as before the surgery. The stools are a consistent light brown/yellow color. I am not having dhiarrea or loose stools, just a softer yellow/light brown color. I noticed this color change about 6 months prior to the surgery.

What should I do with respect to the lack of change back to normal color stool? I am concerned that there may be a secondary diagnosis that is keeping the bile from working normally. I had my post op visit today and I stopped by my gastroenterlogist. Both said I should give it 6-8 weeks to see if the color changes back to normal.

I am just concerned about a more serious diagnosis of the pancreas or liver that is possible. Any insight onto what I should do?

[CalGal]

It would be something along the line of an 'oil slick' on the surface of the toilet water. Whitish stuff is more than likely mucus, which can be put out in copious amounts if the GI tract is irritated.

[lovinlife918]

What do you mean by fat/oil on the surface? I have seen some whitish stuff in the stool itself from time to time, but not every time and not floating on the surface of the water. I had blood work done with my enderologist in July, he didn't indicate any abnormalities on liver or pancreatic enzymes.

Thanks so much.

[CalGal]

Lovinlife, the color of the stool can be directly related to the amount of bile that is released and the transit time of that bile/fecal material in the GI tract. Bile is released as a yellowy-green color and as it moves through the system some is recycled, but the rest is acted on by various enzymes, etc., and it turns the brown color we consider 'normal.' If the transit time is increased - fast forward - the stool can be a more yellow or light brown color.

If your liver and pancreatic enzyme levels are normal, if you're not experiencing any pain, if you're not seeing fat/oil on the surface of the toilet water, etc., wait a bit a see what happens. In the meantime, try keeping your intake of fat low to give your biliary system a chance to adjust and see what happens.