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Can gallbladder cause heat from waist to rib cage?
I had successful hernia and partial fundoplication several months ago. No more Gerd. The only symptom I still have is a hot sensation from my waist up to my ribcage in the morning and after meals. I do have gallstones and an ejection fraction of 17 but no bile duct obstruction. I also have slow gastric emptying. I have had many tests. The last two were barium swallow and endoscopy to ensure hernia did not come back and fundoplication was still in place. Both tests looked good. My doctor's NP said I need to eat smaller more frequent meals - not so much what (high vs low fat, high vs low fiber, etc) but just smaller meals. Have any of you had the symptom of burning gas type feeling from the waist to rib cage? Was it your gallbladder causing it? I don't know what it could be - all of my tests are coming back normal.
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Hello @seniorgal and welcome to Mayo Connect. You pose an interesting question about the feeling of a hot sensation after you eat.
We have several discussions on the topic of fundoplication. I encourage you to read them and post this question to the member of those groups. Here is a link to a discussion where members do describe a feeling of heat.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reversal-of-a-fundoplication/You mentioned an ejection fraction (EF) of 17. EF usually refers to the heart. Do you have heart failure as well?
Small, frequent meals are important to anyone with gallstones or other digestive tract issues. How long have you been eating the small, frequent meals?
Hi! I had a HIDA scan to see the functioning of the gallbladder. Ejection Fraction is the rate the gallbladder ejects bile. Normal EF is 30^-35%. My EF was 17%. Eating smaller meals do not make a difference with the heat sensation. It can happen when I wake in the morning before meals, during meals, after meals.
Hi @seniorgal
You mentioned in your previous post, that you have gall stones. As the gallbladder is functioning at such a low level, I'm wondering if there has been any discussion about removing the gallbladder?
Also, have you had an opportunity to read the posts in the discussion group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reversal-of-a-fundoplication/ where members also talk about the feeling of heat after fundoplication?
Also, please be aware that it is always your right to obtain a second opinion if you feel it is needed. Have you considered a second opinion?
I looked at the fundoplication re-do forum. I am GERD free since having my hh surgery with DOR fundoplication and can eat anything I want within reason and using common sense with portion size. I just think something in addition to the GERD is causing the heat I experience. Yes. I have been told I am a candidate for gallbladder surgery but I do not have the cardinal sign of gallbladder trouble that is upper right quad pain. I was also told there is no guarantee the gb surgery would resolve my symptoms. I will be talking to surgeon's team in April and will ask about the possibility of my having gastroparesis. But I do not want a re-do of my fundoplication, because I no longer have heartburn.
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1 ReactionI'm glad to hear that you will have a talk with the surgeon's team next month. I hope that you get some helpful information at this appointment and also find some relief from your symptoms.
Here are links to some more conversations about fundoplication. perhaps you will get more help by reading about these experiences:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/toupet-fundoplication-post-op-problem/?commentsorder=newest#chv4-comment-stream-headerhttps://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/toupet-fundoplication-post-op-problem/?commentsorder=newest#chv4-comment-stream-headerI would also like to invite @fourof5zs to this conversation as she may have some other helpful ideas.
@ seniorgal
I cannot tell you what is causing this burning sensation you have. I can tell you that even though most of us have been born with basically the same digestive anatomy we are each different in how we feel things. Many symptoms are the same for different parts of the digestive system.
My suggestion is to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. You might need tests to determine what is going on. .. such as CT scan or MRI.
I am very happy that the partial fundoplication is working for you. I hope it continues to work for you.
ZeeGee
Thank you. Yes. I think a gastroenterologist might be the nex step. Will know more after talking to my surgeon's team next month.