Hi Jennifer:
Could you please let us know how he makes out? I'm worried about him.
All the best,
Sam
maybe a psuedo obstuction - i had this after my open choly (not immediatly) but suddenly i could not keep anything down 2 weeks later due paralitic illius - was addmitted as an emergency and NBM with iv fluids ubtill things settled down . get a 2nd opinion.
Thank you for your responses. I asked the Dr after surgery if he found anything else going on and he said no. He didn't say anything about stones or sludge. The gall bladder was sent off for a biopsy. My bofriend eats very little and for the most part it is low fat. I make the meals and its normally baked chicken, veggies and potatos. He has been takin Zofran for the nausea and protonix, they seem to help a little as long as he can keep it down. His potassium level was low before he left the hospital after surgery so they gave him an potassium iv before he left. I think it could be a bile leak or his liver or pancreas from what I have researched. We are contacting his GI on Monday. If we call when the office is closed we are just referred to the ER.
Jenner, he has to contact his GI person now. Did they find stones or sludge in the gallbladder? If so, they may need to check to find out if any of the stones/sludge got 'spilled' into the common bile duct during surgery.
I know he's not eating a lot, but whatever he's eating make sure it's very low fat. He also needs some protection at the stomach level to try to minimize the damage that's being done by the bile. The doc may want to try some anti-nausea meds and the use of carafate. Make sure they check his liver and pancreatic enzymes, too.
If your GI guy can't find an answer, don't wait. Ask to be referred to a GI who specializes in the biliary system. Far too much of this goes on before someone is finally referred and the problem with that is too much damage to the system can result before a cause is found. ASK for that referral, and if you don't get one, find the nearest University-affiliated hospital and call them.
If I were him, I would go the hospital immediately. I have zero medical experience but it sounds like a bile leak, which is fairly common post-gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy).
Good luck and Godspeed.
All the best,
Sam