Symptoms following Gallbadder removal

[macwinstead]

I had my Gallbladder removed laparoscopically 1/16/08.  I started having a bad tearing pain just left of my belly button about two weeks following the surgery.  I was told this was muscle pain and to take advil or aleive for a week and it would be o'kay.  I have done that and the tearing pain continues.  I am having some pain on the left side as well, including hypersensitivity.  I never really had much pain before the surgery, just some uncomfortableness.  I still have some nausea and the bloating continues no matter what I eat.  Most of the time I am bloated and it just gets worse when I eat anything.  I have also gained 5 pounds since the surgery and continue to have irregular BMs.  The real problems before the surgery, were bloating (which seems to be worse) and LOTS of belching and gas.  I'm told that it takes the body a while to realize that the gallbaldder is not there anymore and for these symptoms to subside.  It has been a month, should I still be having these uncomfortable, embarassing symptoms?  What about the tearing pain?  What is it and how long should I expect it to continue?

[CalGal]

Please call your doc and ask to have both a liver function blood test done and a pancreatic enzyme test done as well. Whenever there is a problem around the bellybutton, especially when you've just had surgery, those levels should be tested to make sure there are no post-surgical problems. These should be checked especially if you had any sludge found when your gallbladder was removed - and some docs don't tell the patients. The problem with sludge is that it can escape during surgery into the common bile duct and irritate it. That irritation can cause a fair amount of problems, so please call the doc and have the pain looked at.

[KRasmus]

It may be time for you to invest in some digestive enzymes and probiotics. Since our bodies can't process fats anymore, this may be part of the problem. I had my gallbladder removed on Friday Feb 8th, 2008. I was having the tearing pain next to my belly button as well, but it stopped once I started taking probiotics. Strangely enough, Vit B-12 helps me also.

I'm trying Preventive Nutrition® Multi-Enzyme Formula  from GNC, I'll let you know how it works. My main issue is bloating and gas. Which I'm told is normal after gallbladder surgery.

[Joalbert]

I recommend that you see another doctor....second opinion might help.