Post-cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery

Posted by msb18 @msb18, Dec 11, 2018

Hi – I had my gallbladder removed 17 years ago and have chronic, sharp back pain behind the port incision. That incision was in my upper left abdominal quadrant; the pain is felt in my back, directly behind the incision. It is thought that I have an adhesion in my upper left quadrant. Is it possible that nerves are trapped and that it causes referred pain in my back? The pain is nauseating and hasn't improved. I have been on anti seizure medication and a pain killer that isn't a percocet-type medication. I am curious if anyone else has persistent pain in their back following gallbladder surgery. If so, how is your pain treated.

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I had a laparascopic cholecystectomy at the end of March. I'm recovered from the surgery (which was a bit of an ordeal). I've also had IBS-C for most of my adult life. Now in my 70's, I'm noticing my symptoms (bloated, gassy, irregular/incomplete BM's) worsening, and wonder if this is related to my gallbladder removal and the re-working of my bile system. Has anyone else experienced this?

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Profile picture for blbenson91 @blbenson91

I'm so sorry you are struggling. My husband had his removed 6 weeks ago and the pain he had prior to his gallbladder removal has never gone away. We have been back and forth to the ER 3 times all the tests and scans come back negative. Our daughter works for HR thru a medical clinic she works for so she got my husband an appointment tomorrow for pain management. We will see how that goes and hopefully they can help him with his pain cause he can hardly get out of bed without hurting so bad. I pray you can get some answers on your situation as well. It's so crazy how many people are struggling after gallbladder removal. Makes me wonder what really goes on in surgery as to why so many are in worse shape after.

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I had my gallbladder out in 2012 and I've never been able to eat normally since then. I don't think it's the surgery per se, I think it's the fact that we desperately need our gallbladder to release the bile after we eat. If doctors would do a better job of periodically checking people's gallbladders, and in my case listening to me when I told them for six years that I thought something was wrong with it and their test said it was OK when it clearly wasn't, they wouldn't have to remove so many! It's there for a reason. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's problem. I had to completely change my diet and I'm on a very limited one, but at least I can eat most of the time. I wish you good luck! Sorry you both have to go through that. 💕

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Profile picture for pennies1221 @pennies1221

I am 12 days post surgery (laparo) for gallbladder removal and I do not feel any better. Constant nausea, pain where the GB was , stomach spasms. I was was misdiagnosed for 6 weeks before they realized it was the GB. The rushed me into surgery. I can barely get out of bed. Am I struggling because I was so sick prior to diagnosis???

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Hi, I’m sorry your husband’s surgery didn’t solve the problem completely. Has he had a post surgery check with the surgeon?
Perhaps you can request a session with a dietitian, who can assist in having proper diet for specific problems. I am considering to do this as I make suggestion to you.

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Profile picture for sb4ca @sb4ca

I'm really sorry you're suffering like this. Your post caught my eye because I continued to have some symptoms after mine was removed too. Has anyone tested your bile acid level? Or your pancreatic enzyme levels? I have high bile acid and that can play into malabsorption and cause similar symptoms. I just found out my pancreas has been damaged so I likely have enzyme deficiency too. Have you had any diarrhea or constipation, lost weight etc?

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I, too, am sorry that you suffer from this.
I don’t have diarrhea, but constipation, gasy. Perhaps diet is the way to aid the situation???
I have not checked bile acid nor pancreatic enzyme yet. Thank you for sharing this information. I’ll ask my doctor to prescribe such tests.

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Profile picture for clkurth @clkurth

I underwent emergency gallbladder removal surgery about 8 weeks ago. Now I am wrestling with near daily nausea, acute constipation, and occasional vomiting, I’m afraid to eat much, don’t have any appetite anyway, and am curious to know what has helped anyone else in a similar path? I’m wearing scopolamine patches round the clock, and taking laxatives to move my bowels. But this is really a tough recovery process, I can tell you!!

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I had my gallbladder removed in 2012 and I couldn't eat for 10 days afterwards and I hadn't eaten for a week or so before the procedure, so I finally passed out and they took me back to the hospital and they put me on a medication called cholestyramine I think. It takes the cholesterol out of your bile or something so it doesn't trigger your IBS. That's what I was experiencing anyway. I was on the medication for nine weeks until I became allergic to it, but that was long enough for me to be able to eat and the diarrhea stopped. I would've died without it, I think. I couldn't even drink water before that without triggering severe diarrhea. I hope you can find a resolution. It's awful and scary! Take care.

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Profile picture for krista111mc @krista111mc

My husband got a colonoscopy about 8 months ago and they diagnosed him with mild crones. They put him on medication for it, the inflammation went down however it did not take care of the symptoms that he was having: abdominal pain, back pain, weight loss, cloudy urine and stool, shakes, sweating after eating, long/loud burps, nausea and the whites of his eyes were turning off white/creamy color. My husband decided that he wanted to get his gallbladder checked . The HIDA scan showed that when the gallbladder was stabilized, only 5% of it was working..when he walked around, 14% of it was working. His gallbladder was not functioning and all of the symptoms he was experiencing led to a diseased gallbladder. He had it removed 6 days ago and started feeling really good. However today (6th day) he started feeling some of his old symptoms (nausea, sweating after eating and back pain) again. We are devastated that he’s starting to feel bad again. God led me to this Mayo platform. Has anyone gone through this or can anyone point us in our next direction?

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Fatty foods will redefine the term “fast food”.

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Profile picture for clkurth @clkurth

I underwent emergency gallbladder removal surgery about 8 weeks ago. Now I am wrestling with near daily nausea, acute constipation, and occasional vomiting, I’m afraid to eat much, don’t have any appetite anyway, and am curious to know what has helped anyone else in a similar path? I’m wearing scopolamine patches round the clock, and taking laxatives to move my bowels. But this is really a tough recovery process, I can tell you!!

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OH NO!! Scopolamine patches will constipate you.. they sent me to the hospital constipated..and the first thing the ER doctor said.. patches.. constipation..don't wanna scare you!! (I had my gallbladder out not emergency.. but "rushed")... Please ask your doctor about that patch.. I use Zofran and Promethazine for nausea..and Trulance (AM) and MiraLAX ( at night) and VSL3 Probiotics to help with constipation. And watch what I eat.. been constipated all my life.. also you can try Smooth Move tea..(didn't work for me but did for my sister and niece.. who only went once a month) I drink 2 Vanilla plant based Ensures.. plant protein 5 grams of fiber and 50% Vit C and D.. so with 2 you get 100% and eat Thomas multigrain English muffins with Country Crock plant butter 1 a day ..8 grams of fiber.. if you can do wheat..I hope this helps you!! Please ask about that patch!! Other alternatives to nausea..I'll be praying for you!!

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Profile picture for krista111mc @krista111mc

My husband got a colonoscopy about 8 months ago and they diagnosed him with mild crones. They put him on medication for it, the inflammation went down however it did not take care of the symptoms that he was having: abdominal pain, back pain, weight loss, cloudy urine and stool, shakes, sweating after eating, long/loud burps, nausea and the whites of his eyes were turning off white/creamy color. My husband decided that he wanted to get his gallbladder checked . The HIDA scan showed that when the gallbladder was stabilized, only 5% of it was working..when he walked around, 14% of it was working. His gallbladder was not functioning and all of the symptoms he was experiencing led to a diseased gallbladder. He had it removed 6 days ago and started feeling really good. However today (6th day) he started feeling some of his old symptoms (nausea, sweating after eating and back pain) again. We are devastated that he’s starting to feel bad again. God led me to this Mayo platform. Has anyone gone through this or can anyone point us in our next direction?

Jump to this post

I underwent emergency gallbladder removal surgery about 8 weeks ago. Now I am wrestling with near daily nausea, acute constipation, and occasional vomiting, I’m afraid to eat much, don’t have any appetite anyway, and am curious to know what has helped anyone else in a similar path? I’m wearing scopolamine patches round the clock, and taking laxatives to move my bowels. But this is really a tough recovery process, I can tell you!!

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Profile picture for JerryP @jfperrone

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.

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My sister had the same thing after her gallbladder surgery. She lived on Imodium until a doc put her on amitriptyline. It made a big difference. With the Imodium she remained in fear of having an accident while not at home before the Imodium took effect. The amitriptyline seems to work all day.

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Profile picture for jeepgrl @jeepgrl

I just had another thought about this medication. Is this the one that's related to Ozempic, that was renamed. I would strongly encourage everyone to delve into Dr. Bryan Ardis's podcasts and see what he has to say about these meds!

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Thank you . I will check out Dr B Ardis’s podcast.

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