Complications/symptoms after Gallbladder Surgery

Posted by kalenkerby @kalenkerby, Oct 21, 2018

Hello. I am a Male 32. I had my gall bladder removed 4 days ago. Since I have had strange pains and feelings. Nausea after I eat Everytime. I realized after it's removal my stomach will have swelling, but it feels like there is a Large Knot just right of my Belly button. I also have had severe Hunger type pains. It's the only thing that I can compare it too. Very bad and painful pains that resemble Severe Hunger pains. I have also had headaches since the surgery. Mainly the right back of my head, it feels like there is a Knot under my skull almost. It doesn't hurt severely, but it does hurt sometimes worse than others. And nothing seems to help. Almost a throbbing pain. And of course pain across my entire abdomen. Top to bottom. Side to side. Which is to be expected I guess. But I have have more pain in my right chest and under my left breast off and on. What of these are to be expected and not?

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@kcoates

Hi. I had my gallbladder removed in September and have the same symptoms everyone has mentioned in this thread. It’s actually the symptoms I had prior to having my gallbladder removed. Since my surgery I have had too many tests to count, most coming back normal and none explaining my symptoms. I have been diagnosed with mild gastroparesis and Barrett’s Esophagus (have never had heartburn or acid reflux). I am nauseated constantly, in pain in the upper center of my abdomen constantly. Sometimes it’s worse than others. I can’t eat much, 3 or 4 bites and that’s only once or twice a day. I’ve lost a total of about 50 pounds since the onset of symptoms in June. I’m begging everyone I can for help. I’m miserable and my family and coworkers are miserable right along with me. I’m sorry to see that there are others experiencing this, but glad to know it’s not just me and I’m not crazy. If anyone has any advice or suggestions please share. Thank you.

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Your not alone! This is a hard road! My family is suffering because I am suffering and it's so hard to see that and not feel terrible! I hope you are starting to feel better

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@johnetteg

Hello, I’m new on here. In need of some help. I had my gallbladder removed 9 weeks ago and I am still experiencing some difficult symptoms and am not getting better. Has anyone experienced nausea, feeling lightheaded, headaches, unable to eat much and losing weight this long after gallbladder removal. The nausea lasts all day. I actually feel worse than I did before I had the surgery. My quality of life has changed and it’s hard to function. I am very fatigued and tire easy. I do try and stay positive and do my best to get through the day. I have seen my doctor and had tons of tests and everything comes back ok. I’m worried that I won’t get better. Please help as I’m trying to not become depressed.

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Me too with the nausea I had mine taken out almost 3 weeks ago it in the past five days I’ve had severe nausea

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Hello, I am post op 6 months (surgery Oct 18’) and I suffer from chronic nausea. It’s so bad at one point it made me throw up. I went to my dr and he told me to do a round (2weeks) of Prilosec. Sorry to say this didn’t work. I have hunger pains and am hungry however my nausea is so bad I can’t even eat. I literally have to force feed myself. Has anyone ever tried eating while wanting to throw up? It’s not fun at all. I don’t feel like my Dr. is listening to me but know I’ve had this surgery. What can I do to stress to my Dr about the seriousness of my issues? I’ve had tests done too and everything comes out fine! My Dr did mention doing a bacterial test, is this even worth doing? I’m at a loss and at wits end with my nausea. Any words or advice would be extremely helpful. Thank you so much!!

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@jeffreysgirl13 Having had chem, I very much know what it’s like to eat when nauseous. That said, there are some great medications that can help, like Zoltan, which works on the brain. That might be helpful until you get to bottom on what’s causing your problem. I would go see a gastroenterologist for follow-up. Best of luck.

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Feeling helpless!! My 13 year old daughter had her appendix removed at the beginning of December and her gallbladder on December 29th. Almost two months later she has lost quite Abit of weight and just lays in bed crying all the time because she is in pain and feels nauseous all the time:( The surgeon just referred us back to a gastroenterologist whom we have already seen and his best answer was pain management. She is only 13, pain management??? I don't know what to do:(

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Hello @ambergoulet,

I’m so sorry to hear about what your daughter is going through. I’m tagging @harliegirl @johnetteg @billjn3 @maryswims @roisemaire @bertbiz @leinania @kcoates, as they may be able to offer more insight for your daughter. While we wait for members to join in, I encourage you to view this information from Mayo Clinic about diet after gallbladder removal:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cholecystectomy/expert-answers/gallbladder-removal-diet/faq-20057813

@ambergoulet, could you share what type of surgery your daughter had? Was it a laparoscopic or traditional (open) procedure?

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@ambergoulet

Feeling helpless!! My 13 year old daughter had her appendix removed at the beginning of December and her gallbladder on December 29th. Almost two months later she has lost quite Abit of weight and just lays in bed crying all the time because she is in pain and feels nauseous all the time:( The surgeon just referred us back to a gastroenterologist whom we have already seen and his best answer was pain management. She is only 13, pain management??? I don't know what to do:(

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I am so sorry your baby is going through this. What tests have they done on her thus far? I am still struggling with no answers and little relief. I did start some new medications a couple of weeks ago that have helped slightly. My dr decided to treat gastroparesis even though the tests were negative. So he put me on Reglan and Elavil. The Elavil helps with the pain and I have been able to eat a little more which has stopped the weight loss as of my appointment with him last week. He is still searching for answers. I have a positive autoimmune test so we are running the gamut on that. Just some things to consider and maybe ask her dr about. I’m praying for her and for you. It’s hard enough going through this yourself. I can’t imagine having your child go through it and as a parent having to watch with no answers.

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@ambergoulet

Feeling helpless!! My 13 year old daughter had her appendix removed at the beginning of December and her gallbladder on December 29th. Almost two months later she has lost quite Abit of weight and just lays in bed crying all the time because she is in pain and feels nauseous all the time:( The surgeon just referred us back to a gastroenterologist whom we have already seen and his best answer was pain management. She is only 13, pain management??? I don't know what to do:(

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@ambergoulet
I’m so sorry for your daughter’s suffering. It seems unusual to me that she needed both appendix and gallbladder removed as well as having a lot of pain still. You mentioned that she had positive tests for autoimmune disease. I think that deserves further workup. I have had autoimmune disease of my GI tract-atypical- and it took too long until I was treated. If your gastroenterologist doesn’t want to persue further workup it might be a good idea to see a pediatric gastroenterologist at a university hospital. Good luck!

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@kanaazpereira

Hello @ambergoulet,

I’m so sorry to hear about what your daughter is going through. I’m tagging @harliegirl @johnetteg @billjn3 @maryswims @roisemaire @bertbiz @leinania @kcoates, as they may be able to offer more insight for your daughter. While we wait for members to join in, I encourage you to view this information from Mayo Clinic about diet after gallbladder removal:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cholecystectomy/expert-answers/gallbladder-removal-diet/faq-20057813

@ambergoulet, could you share what type of surgery your daughter had? Was it a laparoscopic or traditional (open) procedure?

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It was laparoscopic.

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@kcoates

I am so sorry your baby is going through this. What tests have they done on her thus far? I am still struggling with no answers and little relief. I did start some new medications a couple of weeks ago that have helped slightly. My dr decided to treat gastroparesis even though the tests were negative. So he put me on Reglan and Elavil. The Elavil helps with the pain and I have been able to eat a little more which has stopped the weight loss as of my appointment with him last week. He is still searching for answers. I have a positive autoimmune test so we are running the gamut on that. Just some things to consider and maybe ask her dr about. I’m praying for her and for you. It’s hard enough going through this yourself. I can’t imagine having your child go through it and as a parent having to watch with no answers.

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She has done an elimination diet. Had a endoscopy and colonoscopy. She has been tested for Crohn's and Celia disease. They have tried meds for acid reflux, anti nausea, and anti spasm pills. Sorry to hear you are going through this. I will be praying for you.

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