Complications/symptoms after Gallbladder Surgery

@johnetteg

Hi ,I am having similar symptoms.
Did your issues ever resolve?
Your response is appreciated.
Paul in Canada

@vickiperk

Hi, have your symptoms resolved? I am experiencing similar symptoms 😕.
Your response is appreciated.
Paul in Canada

Hi. I am sorry, truly, for your situation. I say this only - certainly NOT to gloat, but to tell you of my GB removal when I was about your ago, but 35 years ago. Before and laparoscopic option. Strict long cut surgery from just below sternum to below navel. I had no post-op issues or side-effect, except an aversion to eating “creamy” soups. And that lasted a couple days. After that nothing unless it somehow abetted the diarrhea caused by my Crohn’s. But it was quickly controlled (the D.)
I gotta say that I had a superlative surgeon and team. Please start to feel better. I don’t thinks it’s the GB removal only.

@hopeseeker22
Actually been doing alot of reading lately and it sounds likely that it is bile reflux,which explains headache( vagus nerve) and nausea.Actually seems pretty common ,post GB surgery.
I will follow up with that and see what comes of it.

I SO hope that you find the relief you deserve. 🍀

Hello . I had my gallbladder removal 18 months ago , no real problem until now . I’ve been careful until I over ate probably twice whilst abroad with a little alcohol, since have had bad bile reflux ( diagnosed through a camera check ) . Can be painful especially in the evening, awful bitter taste in mouth / nausea sometimes . Has anybody experienced this and resolved the problem. I’ve been on Cholestyramine ( bile binder ) and medication to speed up food from the stomach , had it for 6 weeks now . Thank you , Peter .

Peter,

This is just a rambling remembrance of my actual experience with things you mentioned. It’s not an endorsement of anything, and I’m NO health professional, so take it for what you will.

Had GB removed in ‘85. But during the surgery, surgeons looked around, and found parts of small intestines were inflamed with Crohn’s. Biopsy during surgery proved them correct. They left it alone since that wasn’t purpose of the surgery. Again, am no doctor but have read that GB removal may lead to BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption). Body struggles to absorb bile acids which may result in diarrhea & abdominal distress. So I had 2 possible (CD very likely) reasons for consistent diarrhea. I’m am NOT sure if BAM caused or added to it. But was in big trouble post discharge with the D. My surgeon saved me. A GI doctor praised my surgeon. For recommending taking cholestyramine powder (Questran) twice a day. The diarrhea STOPPED in 2 days. “Natural normal” stools were produced. Have been good for 40 years. Mix it with clear juice. Cautions: If your defecation is Normal, or you have occasional and infrequent diarrhea, AVOID this. Because for Normal persons, cholestyramine likely to constipate you. One new GI I saw just to keep tabs on my Crohn’s wanted me to get OFF the powder and address stricture I have Surgically. A lot a GI’s wanna diagnose what you already know. and send you right down to the sawbones Down side was I had to cut out all FIBER IN DIET, which is harder to digest & liquify; eating too much often (before) would clump up at narrowing slowing peristalsis, which went undaunted anyway, causing intermittent excruciating pain for about 15 seconds, then abating awhile then cramping again. This for maybe four hours. Would not eat 2 days lest I revive it somehow. Threw up bile. This new guy was “mad”?with Napoleon complex I suspect. I sent him a thank-you-goodbye text after two visits.
Anyway, Peter, this might say something you didn’t already no. I only wonder why the cholestyramine; to bind bile? Maybe good idea. One last thing about choles., must not eat right before or after taking it ‘cause it tends also to bind needed vitamins & mineral or even some meds, thus “neutering” therapeutic effect. Good luck. Tom