Tenderness in gallbladder site

[MrsDonut]

Hi, me again!

I have still been experiencing some difficulties 7 months post surgery. Last night I was up for hours with nausea and frequent bowel movements. Throughout the day today I had the same as well as light headedness. I felt like I did before I had my gallbladder removed. Tonight I touched the site and it is very tender, again the way it was before surgery. This tenderness has occurred quite a few times over the last few months. Last night I did eat a higher fat meal and had 2 glasses of wine. Sometimes I can with no symptoms, and other times just a mild upset. Any idea why I am feeling like this? I will call my doctor next week, but after a year and a half of visits, and only "common" results, he looks at me like I'm nuts. I just really expected to feel really good by now.
I appreciate your advice, thanks!


This discussion is related to Alcohol Post Surgery.

[CalGal]

You're not nuts. Post-surgical problems are unfortunately known to many after gallbladder surgery as you'll read on many digestive boards. "Common" issues following GB surgery can include the discomfort, nausea and bowel habit changes you're experiencing among other things. Much of it may be due to the higher intake of fat and it may mean that you need to keep your intake of fat low and regulated. The presence of fat signals the release of bile, and in those with no GB, it's possible that release isn't as 'regulated' as it should be, or perhaps it's due to 'unregulated' release of bile from the common bile duct. I'm not sure they actually understand what's going on, but the result is that many people have digestive changes after the surgery.

Some people find that taking a bile-binding substance can help, so you may want to discuss that with your doctor. But you'll also have to keep in mind that taking anything that binds bile (and fats) can result in the loss of fat-soluble vitamins and you may have to compensate for that.

The presence of the tenderness is slightly worrisome and should definitely be brought to your docs attention.  

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without knowing the relevant clinical details or a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to comment specifically on the situation. Possible causes that may need to be considered include complications related to the primary condition/ surgery, dietary causes, GI infections, inflammations, GI motility issues, hormonal/ endocrine causes, medication side effect etc. I would suggest getting this evaluated by your treating gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. If any of the symptoms is severe or you develop addition symptoms such as dizziness etc., a visit to the ER may be suggested.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!