Bowel Problems After Gallbladder Surgery

[N. Solis]

I had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago.  I've seen comments posted about this in the forum, but no real answer or explanation as to why it happens.  Luckily, I suffered no pain after the surgery; I recovered well and I am VERY HAPPY that I do not suffer through those horrible attacks anymore (the last one made me think I was going to die and I ended up in the ER with the surgery scheduled shortly after).  Anyway, I have noticed that ever since the surgery I have a MAJOR problem during and after eating.  I have to RUN to the bathroom.  I, too, am familiar with a lot of public restrooms almost anywhere I go.  Unfortunately, sometimes I choose NOT to go somewhere or NOT to eat something because I'm so afraid of what will happen later.  Is there a real medical ezplanation for this?  I asked my PCP and all he told me was to ask the doc who performed the surgery.  I was given a lot of information before the surgery, but during my TWO follow up visits, nothing about this was mentioned.  I didn't notice it until a few weeks later.  I'm ashamed to talk to anyone about it.  Is there anything that can be done?  I hate to think that this is how I have to live for the rest of my life.

[janet]

I have just read all your stories about gall bladder problems. Mine is  a little different, I have my gall bladder out because I had polyps, they were non canerous. Everything went well, 3 weeks I was well recovered, I am 53 and that was 2 years ago. BUT my problems is that I have had accute gall bladder attacks about every 4 months, in the evening, after dinner, I had a CT scan and my doctors have looked at me side ways when I described the shocking squeezing feeling under by bust and when I thought I couldnt bear any more it went away. I  didnt know what these attacks were until recently meeting an old friend who had had her gall bladder out and I mentioned what had happened to me and she told me that the pain was just like the pain she got before her gall bladder was removed.  Has this happened to anyone else I would love to hear.  Dated 24.10.2000

[MARY ANN]

So glad to have found this sight, after worrying that maybe something very serious was wrong with me.  I had my GB out 6 weeks ago.  Was sore for about a week, and then made a great recovery.  About two weeks ago I started experiencing loose, frequent stools and about once a week I have tremendous stomach aches that last for about 15 minutes, usually followed by a BM.  I am going to my regualr doctor tomorrow, but I feel relieved to hear that so many others have experienced similar symptoms.

[Michelle]

I had my gallbladder removed in March 1999.  I had "attacks" that would last about 3-4 hours at a time for at least 9 years on and off.  Finally that March, I had a severe attack that did not go away. After 36 hours of pain, I gave in to go to the hospital and they determined it was my gallbladder and removed it.

My surgeon told me that I would most likely have problems with diarrhea for a couple of months. That was an understatement!!  I am still having these problems.  At times it seems like it gets better but then it comes back like a bad dream.  This is so embarrassing.  I had to finally tell my husband after a bad experience of needing to go to the bathroom.  

I know all of you have heard this before but I can understand and feel what you are going through.  This is very frustrating.  I live my life based on how close I will be to a bathroom.  

Also I have gained weight since my surgery(about 15 pounds).  I don't understand this since I don't seem to keep my food for very long why I would gain weight.  

Thank you for all your information on here.  I am going to try eating a lower fat diet and see if that helps.

[Samantha Jern]

I am 22 years old,and had my gallbladder out on September 30,2000.   I am sick of not being able to sleep at night due to the discomfort.  I just had my check-up yesterday, and my surgeon was a VERY good one.  He explained everything in great detail.  I did not think that my nausea was related until I read this site.  He also prescribed that Questrion medicine for my dumping syndrome....but in the last twenty-four hours, the problem seems to have straightened it's self out.  I may not need that powdery medicine after all!!

However, I have resumed most of my normal activities,(INCLUDING TAE KWON DO CLASSES!!) and it has only been two weeks to the hour!

I would like to send a note of sympathy out to everyone who has had this done, or ever has to...it may be the most common surgery, however, that doesn't mean it's not a big ordeal!

MY SYMPATHIES TO EVERYONE HERE.

SAMANTHA.

[debbie]

I WISH YOU LUCK, I HAD MY GALL BLADDER REMOVED 6 YRS AGO, I STILL
SUFFER FROM UNCONTROLLABLE DIARRHEA, I HAVE BEEN ON EVERY MED ON THE MARKET. RECENTLY I FOUND A XRAY REPORT IN MY CHART AND IT SHOWS THE CHOLECYSTECTOMY CLIPS ARE STILL PRESENT ALONG WITH A
RING LIKE METALLIC DENSITY OVER MY RIGHT ABDOMEN. THE OPERATION REPORT STATES THESE CLIPS WERE REMOVED??CAN YOU FIND OUT IF THEY REMOVED THESE CLIPS NORMALLY???? I WONDER WHY NOONE QUESTIONED THE METALLIC DENSITY ALSO. IS IT CUZ DRS DONT WANT TO QUESTION ANOTHER DRS WORK. MT EMAIL ADDRESS IS ***@****

thanks let me know how your surgery went   good luck

[Debra George]

Thanks to everyone who wrote into this forum.  There is more information here on what to expect after surgery than anywhere else I could find on the internet.  I am having my gallbladder removed in 3 days.  I am very nervous due to the fact of the dumping syndrome but anything is better than the horrible attacks that I get ALWAYS during the middle of the night for hours which ruins my nights and my days because I am so tired.  I am only 33 and don't want to have diarrhea for the rest of my life.  Thanks to all of your submissions, I now have some answers before the problem starts.  Also, my mom has colitis and chron's disease which both irritate the bowels and colitis is sometimes hereditery.  I never thought I would get it or have constant diahrrea like my mom since I have always had solid bowels.  I guess I am destined to be like her.  My gallbladder is very swollen and diseased with several stones in it.  The pain it gave me is worse than childbirth, which I thought was the absolute worst pain anyone could ever have.  I was wrong.  I have no choice.  One thing no one really mentioned much was weight loss or gain. One person lost weight, a few others said they gained it.  I am wondering with all the diarrhea if you lose a lot of weight because the food isn't staying with you for very long.  Please email me if you have had this experience and let me know if you have had weight loss or gain after surgery.  My email is ***@****.  Wish me luck and say a prayer for me, please!!  My surgery is Oct. 5, 2000, this Thursday.