Post Gallbladder Surgery Complications – First 150 Testimonies

[DataCurator]

“am so happy to find this site, I am a female at the age of 47. I removed my GB about 6 years ago and believe me things have not gotten any better throughout the years after the removal. I was told that life would be just as before but boy was I in for a surprise. I was fine for the first year then things started happening. I have found out that I have gotten lactose intollerant, … any kinds of diary product. Additionally my stomack will react to minced meat, steaks, vegetables, some fruits, chocolate, nuts, flour and what not.
I did see a doctor a few years back where they did an kolonoskophy …(spelling….) as I complained about gas, not being able to “”hold it”” and I cannot tell you how many times I have to run to the restroom, let alone how many times I will ball my eyes out because it is JUST SO embarassing – I have absolutely no control…..not over gas or the diarrhea
I cannot remember the last time it was firm
I dont have any stomack pain at all, My largest problem is that I am not in control – latest today I had a major accident , diarrhea everywhere….. I just stand in the shower balling….
I work as well and I usually do not eat the days I work due to the fact of never knowing when it can happen……..
If anyone have any suggestions of what can be done or if anyone else experience the same I would love to know. I have heard there is some natural herbs that can help???? ”

[DataCurator]

I totally agree with your post. It was 3 years ago and I too remember the pain before my surgery but I now have different pain after the surgery and I too am tired all the time, depressed gained tons of weight have chronic diarehea and no one seems to be able to find anything wrong with me. If I knew all this back then I would have thought twice and sought more information before ever having this surgery done again.

[DataCurator]

I had my Gall Bladder removed about 14 years ago, and it has been a nightmare ever since, I had a lot of pain when eating, something I had never experienced before, as I could eat just about what I liked, but after having Scans and Cameras put down and up they decided it must be my Gall Bladder, there was no stones at all just what they call sludge type gravel, so I had it removed, the next day the Surgeon came and spoke to me and said, Cross your fingers that it was your Gall Bladder, because he did not seem to think that this would have given me so much pain, I am under the Specialist for Stomach problems, and back and forth all the time, I have tried just about everything I can as well as the Doctors help, I have plodded on with some sort of life, I still have to work for my living, if you can call it living, I like most people suffer pain in my right side and back. I have been a Nurses Assistant and know a lot about the Human Body, so I decided to start to try some alternative sollutions to my on and off pain, and I kept a diary on what I was eating, it seemed if I ate anything fatty or spicey, I would get terrible pains and then Diarhea, the pain and inflamation of my Stomach would last for nearly two weeks, all I can say is for me, I cut out all Dairy foods, just recently, with no spices, I dont eat Red meat, I cook a lot of fresh vegetables, Chicken, Fish, and everything that is wholesome, it is a nightmare buying packaged foods from Supermarkets you have to read every label for food ingredients, like two weeks ago I made a Sunday Dinner like I usually do, but I had run out of my Gravy Granules I normally use, I had bough another brand, and used that, then the next day I was in agony with the pain, and two days later had violent diarhea, I am still not very good now, but gradually improving, till the next unknown item flares it all up again, it has been trial and error the last fourteen years, the last time I seen my specialist, she said sometimes when you are having your Gall Bladder removed they can damage the valve or duct in the Liver and may require surgery to put it right, my Bile comes down in one go and it sometimes goes into my Stomach instead of going into my Intestine where it should go, unfortunately as we get older the opening from your Duodenum to the Intestine becomes defective and it does not open and close when it should which can lead to backflow of Acid or Bile into the Stomach, I have had Acid tests done and they have come back nothing wrong, and the Doctors have perscribed Lansoprosol and Omeprozole all these years, and it has been Bile all along which I told them ages ago, as when you are on Acid supressent tablets and you still get the problems, it has to be the Bile that is agravating my Stomach lining, so I am now waiting to see what they are going to do for me after all this time suffering.

[DataCurator]

Ihad the gallbladder removed, and after nothing but pain, they said was gas. I went home only to get worse, swollen belly, no appettite, and I couldn’t breathe because of the shoulder and pain under the ribcage. Well two days go by and no relief, so back to the er, and they sent me home with more of the same “gas” excuses. Three more days went by and I started to run a high fever and the pain got worse. I see the doctor and he removes my staples and I start oozing what he called serum. I say ok, but then that night I couldn’t stop hurting and I wouldn’t stop oozing, soaking a towel ful. I was extremely sick at that point. They put me back into the hospital for pnuemonia and bandaged my belly. The next day they did that ercp procedure and put a stent in. But still no relief. the next day I had yet another surgery and he pulled out well over a liter of bile out of my abdomen. He also put in a Johnson Pratt drain to continue to keep draining this bile. I spent 2days in icu and 4 days on a regular floor. I feel like a new person. but had I not checked in for my lungs I would have become septic and possilbly died. No one would listen to me about how much pain I was feeling. I came home today still with the Johnson Pratt to empty every two hours until it stops leaking whenever that will be. I may have to have yet more surgery to stop it. If the pain is worse than what they think it should be don’t back down it could mean your life. 😥

[DataCurator]

I had my gall bladder out after many years of pain and misdiagnosis. I have had an irratable bowel for years and could not get rid of it untile 2 months ago. I found a bacillus that cured it 1 week after I started to take it. I was taking psyllium capsuls the whole time and it only helped a little. It is called Latero-Flora (800) 736-1991. I only took it for 3 weeks and only take it occasionally just because I want to. I have a hiatel hernia also all my life and I am so tired of sleeping at an agle and urping a very small meal all the time. I have heard about a new prosedure where they tie 2 pieces of stomach around the esophages. I am concered I will not be able of throw up or parachute jump etc. Any information or a site I could read about it would be appreciated.

[DataCurator]

Hi I had mine taken out too, I had it out in 1998 and alot of stuff I eat makes me feel bloated and like someone is squeezing my intestines, and I burp and have gas. I can’t stand it. I noticed that when I eat anything with sunflower oil cottonseed oil any oil that’s not olive or canola bothers my stomach bad, I ended up in the ER several times thinking I was having a heart attack. When I eat anything high in fat I have that feeling of squeezing and feel bloated and have gas bad. I found taking gas x really helps and I take pepcid complete sometimes when I need it. Walking helps make the food go down faster I have found. I wish they could have done something else instead of taking it out !!!! I have diarrhea sometimes about 20 mins after I eat, it depends if it was high in fat. I guess your body has no way of fixing it, since the gall bladder is gone. Try starting off with bland foods, it really helps. I went to dr after dr and had the tube down my throat and up my butt, and all they did was give me prilosec which made it worse, and told me I was anxious, who wouldn’t be !!!! When you can’t eat anything without suffering. I even had a test where I ate a egg salad sandwhich with radiation and they said my food digests slow and didn’t tell me anything to do, so I started walking and I guess that gets it moving faster. I hope this helps you. I know what you are going through. I used to be up walking the floors literaly !!!! from the pain it was so bad, and it would last for hours. Does anyone feel like there is something under their left breast? I feel like there is something there and when I lay down sometimes I can’t stand to lay on that side, and I have to hold my breast up away from it for it to feel better.

[DataCurator]

hi all im so glad i found this site, i had my gallbladder removed 6 months ago and i unlike alot of others dont regret it for a minute, the pain of gallstones was effecting my day to life every day,, however i have been suffering from a severe stitch like pain[like after running] in my right side between 2 of my scars [it was done laparoscopy [sp] they started off on exertion such as lifting, which i do in my job as a carer, but i have now been woken at night by them, it hurts to breathe in and is worse lying on my “good” side, i was wondering whether adhesions could cause these pains, any ideas??

[DataCurator]

Its unbelievable …….reading all of the above!! My Poor daughter had hers out about 6 weeks ago …and shes only 8 YEARS OLD!! If I had known or was TOLD from the surgeon before hand of all the complications after removal, I would of never have done it!!! she is crippled with NAUSEA every single DAY….and I am sooo unbelievably fustrated at the Surgeon for not giving me information or letting me get a second OPINION…..OR even Trying to TREAT the gallbladder without removal first!!!! All the want do to is MAKE MONEY off you…..I cant express How angry I am…..I wish I could give my little girl my gall bladder (if only If only I said NO…..) and if Only I was given time to make that decision……I pray everyday that she will overcome this NAUSEA and live a normal LIFE….xxx

[DataCurator]

“This is the cycle of hell I have endured for the last 9 years one month and 9 days:

HX:

· Constant feeling of RUQ distension and discomfort (running parallel to the right rib cage from center of epigastrium continuing to right hypochondrium)– this area is continuously slightly swollen, but will exponentially increase in size as I get closer to having a pain attack;

· There are three highly specific regions along this line of distension that are painful on touch and that are palpably “”different”” feeling (1st is upper center epigastrium right below the xyphoid process, 2nd is halfway between the 1st and 3rd areas where one of the scars from the laparascopic cholecystectomy at the edge of the rib cage; and the 3rd is clear on my right side where my elbow area would be if my arm were hanging straight down at the rib cage– no scar from laparascopic cholecystectomy)

· With no specific timing, the following will occur out-of-the-blue, often subsequent to eating or drinking something complex (i.e., oatmeal, grains of any type, red meat, grain alcohol) or much less often, it will happen with having eaten nothing and drinking nothing:

1. RUQ area (as described above– pictures attached) swells up to an external size equivalent to a very large sweet potato or 1/3 the size of an inflated football;

2. A “”pain attack”” will spontaneously occur with no warning, equivalent to (if not worse) to a kidney stone (I’ve had plenty so I know), lasting anywhere between 5 minutes to one hour;

3. If I get to the hospital before the attack is over, my liver panel is completely out-of-whack, as in my lipase and amylase are sky high– however, I have only gotten to the hospital in time to show this once in eight years… even when five minutes away, by ambulance, by the time they get around to drawing blood, the pain attack was at its bitter end (within a week or so my liver panel returns to normal);

4. During the pain attack, I will spontaneously become nauseated and dry heave for about 5 minutes (SOMETIMES, I can speed up the end of the pain attack by drinking a bunch of water, but this only works one out of two times)– the pain attack is so severe, I break out in an all over body sweat, I am curled up on the floor rocking on my left side deliriously screaming in pain… a couple of times I have passed out when the pain was so severe;

5. Once the pain attack has subsided, I become very tired for days up to two weeks;

6. Also once the pain attack is over, I have light tan colored waterish diarrhea for 2-3 days (100-200 times per day);

7. After the diarrhea phase (and not before), the RUQ swollen distension area reduces 75 percent, but NEVER goes flat or symmetrical to my left side;

8. Then for another week (give or take) I have light tan colored somewhat loose stools.

9. At this point, I enjoy a RUQ area that is only 25% of the pain attack size for a very brief period of time, before the swelling commences again, and this entire cycle starts again.

· My gallbladder was removed 12/30/2004 by laparscopic cholecystectomy; this cycle described above first happened on 12/31/2004 (one day later, which I went to the ER for and the surgeon did nothing and ordered no tests, I was sent home the same day, hours after the pain subsided).

· I have spent tens of thousands of dollars having every test known to doctors done (i.e., ultrasounds, endoscopic ultrasounds, CT scans with and without contrast, MRIs, colonoscopy, upper GIs, lower GIs, blood tests, medication after medication after medication)– doctors have suspected and/or ruled out: Sphincter of Oddi, colon cancer, problems from my 1994 Nissen’s fundoplication, post cholecystectomy disease, pancreatic issues, liver issues, Crohns, IBS, etc).

· Once, four years ago, a general surgeon (after looking at an old CT scan said he saw a RUQ hernia, and scheduled surgery… and right before surgery said he didn’t remember saying or seeing that and on looking then at surgery time didn’t see what he had seen before) went ahead and did the surgery giving me a 5 inches scar… about 2-3 inches BELOW the problem area)– which after surgery he tells me there was a mild issue with the mesothelium and peritoneum layers that he fixed with a patch.

Needless to say, I AM VERY DISENCHANTED with spending thousands more repeating expensive tests that reveal NOTHING. Additionally, as a side note, if I eat vegetarian and do not drink alcohol my pain attacks are lessened in frequency as is my 9-year bout with diarrhea, but the swelling of the RUQ never lessens and never stops completelt and never returns to normal.”

[DataCurator]

“Hey, everyone…

So I had my gall bladder taken out five years ago. I was an anomaly to my doctor because I was only 21, and gall stones are considered an infliction of those “”fair, fat, and forty.”” I’m fair, but I was neither fat nor forty.

Anyway, since then, I have developed extreme digestive issues. Really painful bloating and gas, constipation and weekly diarreah. Initially, I thought it was stress, but it’s longevity made me reconsider. I removed dairy from my diet and it helped a little… then I removed wheat from my diet and it intermitently helped, but relief was so inconsistent that after about a year I relaxed on that one. Anyway, after some interesting pain after eating a pot roast, my husband recently suggested it may have something to do with the way my body digests fat.

I’ve done some research, and it seems like the general consensus is that if I am one of the lucky few to experience significant digestive pain after a gall bladder removal, either a low-fat or low fiber diet or combination of both will relieve my pain. This intriques me, primarily because since trying weight watchers years ago I’ve been very focused to eat high fiber…. but I have ridiculous gas pain after apples, beans, lettuce and high fiber yogurt.

So my questions is this: has anyone else successfully dealt with this problem? How can I go low-fat/low-fiber and still maintain health? My weekly food grades are usually in the A- range, and that would change if I significantly reduced my fat/fiber intake.

Any thoughts are welcome!
”

[DataCurator]

“I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE PAIN THE PERSON WHO SAID PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME THIS IS RUINING MY LIFE. I ONLY WANT TO BE POSITIVE, BUT I’M CRYING RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE I WAS YOU A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED. MY LIFE WAS RUINED . MY BACK HURT AND EVEN THOUGH I DESPERATELY TRIED TO DIET AND EXERCISE A LITTLE NOTHING SEEMED TO WORK. I WALKED INTO A CLOTHING STORE WITH MY FAMILY GET THIS A YEAR AFTER MY SURGERY AND THE CLERK ASKED ME IF I WAS PREGNANT WITH TWINS. MY HEART SANK, NO I’M NOT PREGNANT WITH TWINS. THE DOCTOR SAID THERE IS NOTHING HE COULD DO. THIS I’M SORRY TO SAY IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH. THINKING MY LIFE WAS OVER, I STUMBLED UPON A SOLUTION. FOR SOME IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIVES IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, BUT REMEMBER FOR SOME LIKE ME (MUST BE AN EXTREME CASE) MY NIGHTMARE IS A CONTINUOUS BATTLE.) MY SOLUTION WAS TUMMY TUCK SURGERY. I HAVE HAD LOTS OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD IT NO COMPLICATIONS. FOR A YEAR AND 1/2 AFTER THE SURGERY MY LIFE CHANGED. I FELT LIKE A NEW WOMAN AND I FELT LIKE A HIDE THE NEWEST LEAF ON LIFE. BUT NOW AFTER OVER A YEAR OF TESTING IT SEEMS LIKE I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXTREME COMPLICATIONS THAT ARE LEANING TOWARDS THIS SURGERY. MOST PEOPLE ONLY EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE MINOR RISKS AND THIS WOULD BE A GOOD SOLUTION. HOWEVER, I GOT DEALT ANOTHER ROTTON HAND, AND I’M IN WORSE SHAPE THEN BEFORE. NOW, I’M ASKING TO BE FIXED, BUT THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE. YOU CAN CHECK INTO THIS, BUT BE CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THE BEST AND GET ALL THE FACTS.

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND SENDING HEARTFELT LOVE YOUR WAY! I MOST DEFINITELY SYMPATHISE TO THE FULLEST WITH ALL OF YOU. IF I CAN BE OF CONFORT OR HELP TO ANYONE, PLEASE EMAIL ME.”

[DataCurator]

“I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE PAIN THE PERSON WHO SAID PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME THIS IS RUINING MY LIFE. I ONLY WANT TO BE POSITIVE, BUT I’M CRYING RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE I WAS YOU A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED. MY LIFE WAS RUINED . MY BACK HURT AND EVEN THOUGH I DESPERATELY TRIED TO DIET AND EXERCISE A LITTLE NOTHING SEEMED TO WORK. I WALKED INTO A CLOTHING STORE WITH MY FAMILY GET THIS A YEAR AFTER MY SURGERY AND THE CLERK ASKED ME IF I WAS PREGNANT WITH TWINS. MY HEART SANK, NO I’M NOT PREGNANT WITH TWINS. THE DOCTOR SAID THERE IS NOTHING HE COULD DO. THIS I’M SORRY TO SAY IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH. THINKING MY LIFE WAS OVER, I STUMBLED UPON A SOLUTION. FOR SOME IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIVES IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, BUT REMEMBER FOR SOME LIKE ME (MUST BE AN EXTREME CASE) MY NIGHTMARE IS A CONTINUOUS BATTLE.) MY SOLUTION WAS TUMMY TUCK SURGERY. I HAVE HAD LOTS OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD IT NO COMPLICATIONS. FOR A YEAR AND 1/2 AFTER THE SURGERY MY LIFE CHANGED. I FELT LIKE A NEW WOMAN AND I FELT LIKE A HIDE THE NEWEST LEAF ON LIFE. BUT NOW AFTER OVER A YEAR OF TESTING IT SEEMS LIKE I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXTREME COMPLICATIONS THAT ARE LEANING TOWARDS THIS SURGERY. MOST PEOPLE ONLY EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE MINOR RISKS AND THIS WOULD BE A GOOD SOLUTION. HOWEVER, I GOT DEALT ANOTHER ROTTON HAND, AND I’M IN WORSE SHAPE THEN BEFORE. NOW, I’M ASKING TO BE FIXED, BUT THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE. YOU CAN CHECK INTO THIS, BUT BE CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THE BEST AND GET ALL THE FACTS.

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND SENDING HEARTFELT LOVE YOUR WAY! I MOST DEFINITELY SYMPATHISE TO THE FULLEST WITH ALL OF YOU. IF I CAN BE OF CONFORT OR HELP TO ANYONE, PLEASE EMAIL ME.”

[DataCurator]

“I am going insane! I writhed in pain for a month and a half until FINALLY someone realised I needed to have my gall bladder taken out.
Now I am suffering from this horrible bloating. I look like I am nine months pregnant. In fact many people have touched my stomach and asked me what I’m having; and I have to say “”Get your hands off of me I’m not pregnant.””

Today is November 16. My surgeon looks at me like my head is about to spin off into flames when I tell him about this, and I’ve missed a lot of work because even the larger clothing I’ve gotten don’t fot when I’m bloated. Please don’t tell me to try Gas-X, or those horrible powders. or colon cleansers. I’ve already been there, done that, and got the T shirt.

PLEASE HELP ME PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE, I’M SO SICK OF LOOKING LIKE A COW. I’VE HAD TO GO ON AN ANTI DEPRESSANT EVEN. THIS IS RUINING MY LIFE.”

[DataCurator]

It has been a year for me and I have the worst problems with this gallbladder removal. I am hoping it will get better.

[DataCurator]

“I had gall bladder surgery after having my second child last September. I ended up back in the ER 3 days after getting out of the hospital with “”fluid on my liver.”” I had the pain alot of you had mentioned. It felt like someone was sitting on my ribs. I could barely breath, especially when I was lying down. I still feel pain similar to this, but not to that degree. I looked on different websites, and I am wondering if my liver was cut. My surgeon was very shady when I asked him about the “”fluid.”” He would just say it’s maybe blood or something. You would think he would know. I have every test you can imagine and they just seen this fluid. I got so frustrated with this surgeon that I went to another to get an opinion, and in our area, they are partners, and so he said it could be the sphinter thing. I truly believe with the pain I am having that he hit my liver. On Webmd it does say that this can be a complication of the lap. surgery. If this could have happened, my liver should regenerate itself, right? Is there any end in sight? What can I do from here? Any tests that woudl be conclusive? If this did happen, will my liver be okay? I still have the diarhea and constipation problems and a lot of abdominal pain. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
”