It should be mandatory for Dr’s to tell you about this issue BEFORE you have your gallbladder removed. I had heartburn symptoms long before I got my gallbladder out in 06, but man… did I EVER suffer with it after the surgery! I tried every single OTC medicine, then went through all the presciption strength medicines too until I got Nexium. That was the best medication for me, and I took it twice a day up until a few months ago, when my husband got a different job and this health plan won’t cover the majority of the costs, and we can’t afford to pay $100 a month for this med, so I”m back to suffering with it, even while taking Prilosec. Nexium was what worked for me, I wish I could take it again.