Post-cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery

@blueve97 - I had laparoscopic surgery years ago- one of the first in my area. I can still see the scars- they were tender for a long time. Good thing that your work up was normal. There is something called incisional hernia- hernias developing at the site of incision - even long after the surgery. I don’t know if that’s possible with lap surgery. On the other hand, it creates a weakened area in the abdominal wall. This does not necessarily show on ct and mri. However, being upright would put pressure on the abdominal wall. Just a theory of mine.

I’ll look into that and ask about the hernias! I just know that it affects my everyday life because I still can’t lift anything to heavy without causing pain.. I can literally go from a size 13 to a size 16 in a day and I just want to know why this is happening

I had my gallbladder out last December. About a month after that my liver enzymes are slightly elevated.

Albumin
Your Value
5.1 GM/DL
Standard Range
3.5 - 5.0 GM/DL

AST
Your Value
45 U/L
Standard Range
14 - 36 U/L

ALT (SGPT)
Your Value
54 U/L
Standard Range
<35 U/L

Is this not unusual after having a gallbladder removed?

Hi @bumble81, There have been formal studies done for patients who have had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy that showed elevated liver enzymes post-op. due to the CO2 pneumoperitoneum (the CO2 air bubble in the abdominal cavity), but it says that the majority of the patients returned to normal levels within a few weeks.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134700/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15776093
https://www.currentsurgery.org/index.php/jcs/article/view/334/314
@rosemarya @hopeful33250 @bonitav and @jimhd have all mentioned having gallbladder surgery, wondering if they have ever heard of this.

Bumble, was your surgery laparoscopic? Have you had your enzymes tested recently and are they still elevated?

Hello @bumble81

I can understand your concern over the elevated liver enzymes. We all want to have a healthy liver and if we think there is a problem it can certainly cause anxiety. I had my gallbladder removed a number of years ago, however, it was in connection with another surgery to remove carcinoid cancer from a nearby area in the digestive tract. Because it was part of a larger surgery I was never sure what problems were associated with the gallbladder removal and what was attributed to the more extensive cancer surgery. Here is a Connect discussion from Members who have had gall bladder surgery, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gallbladder-surgery/

There is another disorder that can follow gallbladder removal. It is rather rare and doctors may not think of it. It is called Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. According to this information on the NIH website, elevated liver enzymes are typical with SOD. Here is the link with more information, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096116/.

With that in mind, I wonder, as did Amanda (@amandaburnett), which type of gallbladder surgery you had and when you last had the liver enzymes tested.

Please share as you are comfortable doing so, @bumble81, but I'm wondering, besides the elevated liver enzymes, have you had any other symptoms since your surgery? Do you have any other family members with liver and/or gallbladder problems?

Hi there I was reading about ..I had removed my gallbladder laproscopic before 3 weeks ..can u tell me wat kind of that hunger pains feels like ..are they spread towards back n chest.. feels like tightness discomfort..?? kindly help and share about

Hi there I was reading about ..I HV removed my gallbladder laproscopic before 3 weeks ..can u tell me wat kind of that hunger pains feels like ..are they spread towards back n chest.. feels like tightness discomfort..??

After a very painful event I had surgery to remove my gall bladder. Surgery took 2.5 hours. Follow up seems ok except I have uncontrolled diarrhea. I am living on imodium . I am weak as a baby with no aid in sight. The doctors offer no real help except telling me what to eat or not. Any similiar experience or advice.

I'd like to invite fellow members @fourof5zs @astaingegerdm @annief @johnetteg @princessd and @claytamos into this discussion as they too have had surgery to remove their gallbladder.

@jfperrone, you may also be interested in this discussion:
- Complications/symptoms after Gallbladder Surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nausea-pain-and-headaches-after-gallbladder-laparoscopic-surgery/

When did you have surgery? You said that you're feeling very weak. You may need to start to replace lost water and the salts you need called electrolytes. Have you been staying hydrated? Are you able to have things like soup broth, fruit juice or sports drinks?

I have read the comments from a number of others who had their gall bladder removed and I guess my experience so far is better than most. I had the op 10 days ago and because it must have been difficult they kept me in hosp 2 more days. Currently I have a drain sticking out of my stomach which I empty twice a day. (Very difficult to sleep with that thing sticking out of you.) I have a little soreness but no actual pain. I have zero appetite but manage to eat the minimum. I have been drinking a lot of water; eating jello, toast fruit and a little cheese. Still the problem continues. I was told to drink Propel water which has the electroiytes you mention. Any suggestions dietary or otherwise would be appreciated.