Problems long time after colon resection

My husband had his gall bladder removed in 2016 and complained of upper abdominal pain right after. He then began getting blood in his stool and they found flat polyps that could only be removed by a bowel resection. He brushed off the pain, assuming it was caused by the polyps. He had 18 inches removed and during follow up, mentioned he still had the pain from before. The surgeon(different one than did his gall bladder) told him it was ghost pains and sent him on his was. That was in 2017. His 1 year follow up showed more polyps, so they were removed and he was told he needed another colonoscopy in 2 years. Then covid hit. He finally got his colonoscopy early this year (2022) and he once again mentioned the pain. The doctor took it more seriously and said they'd look into it after this colonoscopy, which was completely clear. He never followed up. In March of this year, the pain became severe and he went to emergency. He was told there that he had gall stones that had been left behind, however the surgeon who did the gall bladder removal didn't speak to my husband personally and said she didn't believe the stones were causing his pain because they would have bothered him before now. If she's taken the time to talk to him, she'd have known he's been having pain for years. He is currently in hospital because the stones are blocking off the bile duct that allows bile into our digestive system. He has jaundice, and the bile backing up into his liver has caused severe infection. Because of covid surgery being backlogged, he's been in hospital 1 week, in severe pain, waiting to have the stones removed. Advocate for yourself because nobody knows our bodies better than us.

Thanks for this. I have no doubt it's adhesions after 7 surgeries. Yoga and stretching has helped significantly along with Tumeric/Bromelain. I am already doing your other suggestions and did prior to the surgery. I am taking psyllium husk capsules, colace and occasional Miralax with some improvement. Next step would be accupuncture as the under the rib cage continues.

@boucow - I feel for your husband! Abdominal pain for years without a good answer.
The remaining gallstones don’t have to be large- I had what they called “ gravel” that partially blocked the duct.
Are you at a major medical center now? I’m surprised that he has not had surgery yet- unless he’s being treated for an infection before surgery.
You are 100% correct in that you have to advocate for yourself. Your husband is lucky to have you to help him
Please let us know what’s happening! My very best wishes to your husband!

Thank you for your reply. My husband only eats soft foods that are easily digestible. It doesn’t seem to help much. He’s in pain everyday and we don’t know where to go from here.