after gallbladder surgery

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
after gallbladder surgery
5
Thu, 07-06-2006 - 2:10am

I am 24 years old and finally had my gallbladder removed after 2 and half years of very painful attacks. I had several stones and one that was so large that the surgeon considered the open method. Thank God he was able to do it laporscopically. After a week, I was feeling better and was able to resume normal activities. But now, 3 weeks later, I am having a lot of discomfort in my stomach. I am constantly bloated and feel like I am pregnant (sure you I am NOT) however, I have a lot of gas and unlike many patients who have this done, I dont have the diahrrea, I am constipated alot. I stopped taking the pain medication a few days after surgery so I have ruled that out. I just did not consider constipation as a "side affect" to having my gallbladder removed. From others that I have spoken to, they have the diahrrea constantly. I also feel very full after consuming small amounts of food and there are still foods that I am unable to eat.-hamburger being one of them. I dont have any pain in my right side anymore...it has "reloacted" over to the left side. I really wouldnt consider it pain, just feels like spasams or like something is contracting-usually after i eat. I go for a follow up in 3 weeks.

I would like to know if anyone else has experienced this after gallbladder sugery, if it is "normal" and if there is anything that I should do about it.

thanks

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Thu, 07-06-2006 - 9:11am

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Thank goodness the surgery was successful and you are on the road to recovery!


Many of the symptoms you mentioned are not unusual so soon afterwards. It may seem like 3 weeks is a long time, but it is not. If you are feeling much discomfort, a call to your surgeon might be a good idea.


Stopping the use of the pain meds should be helping with the constipation, but have you added any extra fiber to your diet to help too? Something like Benefiber, that can be mixed into your food or beverages, might help things 'move along'. Be sure to ask your doctor for his/her opinion before trying anything, OK


Please keep us updated on your recovery and let us know what your doctor suggests too!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 07-06-2006 - 10:28pm

Hi - definately follow up with your doctor. If it gets worse (ie. wakes you up at night) or other symptoms crop up then I'd suggest a vist sooner than in 3 weeks.


As far as food goes - everyone is different. Most people go on to eat as they did before the surgery. The thing to keep in mind is that if you developed gallstones once - you can develop stones again despite not having a GB for them to nest in. They will form in your bile ducts.


I had my GB out in Feb/04 and continue to experience discomfort after eating foods that are high in fat. I also experience sharp acute pains that come and go

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
Fri, 07-07-2006 - 12:13am
thank you for your reply. i have not included any fiber as you suggested. The surgeon told me to take Milk of Magnesia. It helps some, but it taste so bad. It is either too many BMs or not enough, if you know what I mean. One day I have the diahrrea, then the next 2 days Im constipated. Wouldnt be so bad if I wasnt so bloated all the time. Hopefully I will start feeling better soon. Thank you for your response.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
Fri, 07-07-2006 - 12:33am

Good luck at your next appt with the specialist. I did not know that gallstones could form once your gallbladder was removed. I know that stones could pass from your gallbladder to your bile duct and remain there. My surgeon also did an ERCP to make sure no stones were in the bile duct. Have you had that done?

I still have pains from time to time and still have to watch everything that I eat and how much I eat. Although I have not had an attack since the surgery,(Thank God) but I have read that it is possible. My last attack was so severe that I ended up at the ER. I hope and pray that I dont have anymore trouble with my gallbladder-or the lack thereof one. It can be tiresome and wear a person out. I hope you get the answers that you are looking for at the specialst and that he/she gives you the help you need. thank you for your reply

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Fri, 07-07-2006 - 8:22am

The surgeon told me to take Milk of Magnesia. It helps some, but it taste so bad. It is either too many BMs or not enough, if you know what I mean. One day I have the diahrrea, then the next 2 days Im constipated. Wouldnt be so bad if I wasnt so bloated all the time.


Again I'd suggest that you speak with your doctor sooner. Ask him/her what else you might try to relieve your tummy distress. Unfortunately you might also have IBS, which can cause the back-and-forth symptoms. My GB was removed in 1979 and I still have bloating and diarrhea/constipation, but never connected it to having my GB removed. I am lactose intolerant and have always had

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