Gallbladder removal: Anyone still having complications?

@jtlang55 I had my gallbladder removed in 2001 along with having a Nissen fundoplication. The diarrhea bouts were awful afterward and anti-diarrhea medications of no help. I tried several probiotics with no relief. In 2008 my husband and I decided to travel from our home in Georgia to my brother's home in Washington state. We took our travel trailer. I prayed every day that my stomach would be okay as we traveled. Usually the diarrhea hit me before we left or after we stopped for the night.. so my prayers answered. Along the journey we stopped in Mississippi to visit my husband's family and his cousin told me he had had the same problem with diarrhea. He said Align worked for him. So I tried it and it has worked for me with just a few bouts and those happen when I eat something greasy. So I avoid very greasy foods.. and too many sweets.

I had to have more abdominal surgery and in 2013 had to have a feeding tube.. had it for a little over a year. I was limitted on pills I could take.. so no Align. I could eat pudding consistency foods so I ate yogurt which did help. When I did get back on solid foods a doctor recommended another brand of probiotics. Super something and all it did was give me horrible stomach cramps.. so I went back to Align... and the store brand similar to it do not work for me either.

Everyone is different.. what works for one person may not work for another. Just keep trying different things. I struggle with my weight. Still trying to figure out what foods works for all my mixture of stomach and esophagus issues.

Zaroga

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry you have had these issues. I know that it is a very complex problem and one that leaves you feeling helpless. I have talked to more people who have had these issues once their gallbladder has been removed. Thank you again for your suggestions and advice. I am going to be seeking out a naturopathic doctor as the medical field has been of little help.

I had my gallbladder removed 3 months ago, im a 30yr old female. Ever since every time I eat I have horrible pain In my mid back. I have had an mri and I'm just brushed off and told I'm fine. Eating hurts so much I've gotten to a point I just don't want to. I'm also Constipated and all the doctors can say is well that doesn't usually happen. Plus I've had horrible reflux that burns my throat constantly. I feel so ill all the time. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

You probably have bile reflux.
See: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bile-reflux/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370121
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22056-bile-reflux
Low bile flow causes constipation:
See: https://www.drelenaklimenko.com/causes-of-constipation-part-2-low-bile-flow/

If your gastroenterologist hasn't suggested anything for you, then find another doctor! Try gaviscon until the doctor can help you more.

Thank you I think I'm just going to look for a new doctor. I appreciate you sending me these links they were helpful. Hopefully a new doctor can help me so I'm not so miserable.

I had gallbladder surgery 3 and half months ago on Oct 16th 2022 and I felt ok right after and better after 4weeks. But now I'm really sore in a spot below the incession on the rt side upper stomach. Really tierd most of the time? Not much of an appetite. I went to see my surgeon and he said it was fine. Maybe it's taking me longer to heal. Anyone else? It's getting depressing as I like to stay active but I feel drained.

Hello Sam 325 and Megan
I had a cholecystectomy in December 2022. I was absolutely healthy. Woke up with horrible Epigastric pain and stomach pain. Could not eat. Went to the Emergency Department they put me on proton pump inhibitor and Sucralfate. Lost 15 pounds and I am not a large person.
The medicines helped with the burning chest but the side effects were bad. Had tests, HIDA scan, upper GI, normal. But there is definitely something off.
I propped the head of my bed for GERD ( which helps) and drink cabbage juice in the morning, started taking digestive enzymes with meals, and kept them low acid and bland, and weaned myself off the PPI’s. Forced myself to eat. I Can eat now, small meals. I drink boost, chamomile tea and green tea between. I am so sorry you are having problems. This is a horrible thing to go through, it is exhausting thinking about and feeling digestive discomfort all day and night.
Hang in there.

I've been told the same thing. Wish I was more help. Doesn't seem normal if you don't feel good :/

@sam325
I personally know your misery.
I had my gallbladder removed many years ago. After a few years I started getting the intense pain you are describing.
I had an MRCP- MRI of bile ducts basically. They found “ sludge” in the common bile duct, causing blockage at the opening into the small intestine. The pancreas shares the same opening. I had an ERCP where the opening into the intestine was enlarged.
Nowadays ultrasound is also used to examine the common bile duct.
I don’t want to confuse you but more recently I have had extreme abdominal pain after eating due to a very rare and totally different abnormality.
MALS- Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. A ligament from the diaphragm puts pressure on the celiac artery and limits the blood flow. The celiac artery carries blood to stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas etc. Treatment consists of cutting the ligament.
It is rare but we have a MALS group here on Connect.
Testing is easy- a Doppler ultrasound of abdominal blood flow.
You could just request this test to make sure nothing is wrong with the abdominal arteries.

All 3 websites were very informative. I guess I have suffered with bile reflux for 18 years since my gall bladder was removed. Been through too much this month. What to give my body some time to settle down. Then I will reach out to my gastroenterologist. Thank you again for this help.
Take care.