“Post-cholecystectomy syndrome
Some people experience symptoms similar to those caused by gallstones after surgery, including :
tummy pain
indigestion
diarrhoea
yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
This is known as post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) and it's thought to be caused by bile leaking into areas such as the stomach or by gallstones being left in the bile ducts.
In most cases symptoms are mild and short-lived, but they can persist for many months. If you do have persistent symptoms, you should contact your GP for advice.
You may benefit from a procedure to remove any remaining gallstones, or medication to relieve your symptoms.”
I am going to go with while diarrhea can be a post surgery symptom it is not common and can be treated
I would think the emergency room visits post gall bladder are not common. For most people gall bladder surgery especially when done laparoscopicly are well tolerated.
As for post hep c treatment follow up I see a hepatologist associated with the University of Washington liver center in Seattle. It is about an hour to 90 min drive in traffic for me.
Standard follow up for patients cured of hep c with cirrhosis per the AASLD is at minimum blood testing every 6 months along with abdominal ultrasound to look for early indications of liver cancer (HCC) as we continue to be at increased risk although with cure that risk is greatly reduced. Prior to cure our risk of HCC was about 5% per year.
This is how you should have been followed before you were treated with having cirrhosis.
Specifically, I have CBC, liver panel, and AFP tests done along with the ultrasound. AFP or alfafeto protine can be a liver tumor marker if elevated. It is not a perfect tool so it should be used along with ultrasound or other medical imaging.
I have had upper endoscopies in the past the first was when I was diagnosed with cirrhosis showing grade 1 esophageal varicies. Two years later in my next endoscopy they were grade 2 and the next year they were grade 3 and required banding.
I was having annual upper endoscopies since 2013 to monitor for return of the varicies but since they haven’t returned and I am cured of hep c we are going with every two years.
On diagnosis with cirrhosis I was also immediately vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and advised to get my flu shot as soon as it is available every year as we are basically medically frail (even if we feel fine)
Have you had an upper endoscopy? Have you been vaccinated against hepatitis A and B?
With low MELD scores we really aren’t eligible for the transplant list. Most centers wait until you have a MELD of at least 15 with most transplants occurring around 30 or higher due to limited organ availability. There are about 6,000 people in the list with about 1,600 liver transplants occurring annually. My MELD is about 7. I still see a doctor associated with a transplant center as they are best equipped to monitor patients like us with ESLD. I only see my doctor once a year so the long trip is not really a problem. She gets my results every six months and I can communicate with her or her staff anytime through a web page called MyChart where I can also view all my results any time.
To qualify for a liver transplant other then being sick enough you also have to not have other serious health problems that indicate you may not survive the surgery and that you have a care giver to support you at home during your recovery.
Diagnosed with cirrhosis in Jan 08 after being infected with hep c for 30 years.
Gall bladder removed in 2012 due to gall stones and multiple gall bladder attacks.
Treated and cured Hep C last dose May 2015 was infected for 37 years.
No chronic diarrhea. Have had esophageal varicies that needed banding. Low platelet count and some ascities.
Gall bladder attacks suck