Still have same symptoms after gallbladder surgery anybody else?

Question

I'm 5 days after gallbladder surgery, I've been very careful what I eat. Today I drank a small amount of coffee/decaf with non dairy creamer and about 2 hrs later I had the same old symptoms, belching ,sharp stabbing pain between my shoulder blades and abdominal pain , anybody else have their symptoms not change after surgery?

Answer 1

I think it's too early after surgery for you to expect your pain to have gone. Belching is not due to gall bladder disease so that is not likely to get better.
Of course it is possible that your symptoms were due to a hiatus hernia or something else but give it some time before you look for other things.

Answer 2

This is the post cholycystectomy syndrome. It is common. Think about the logic of the surgery. The gallbladder is not functioning properly. Bile is not being released into the gut when it is needed to digest fatty foods. You get symptoms. Now, along comes the surgeon. He takes out the gallbladder. Bile is now flowing freely into the gut all the time because there is no gallbladder to store it for when it is needed. There is always some bile in the gut, but never enough to handle a fatty meal. The gut cramps up, causing the same symptoms all over again. Over time, this problem usually resolves itself, but sometimes the doc will need to prescribe a bile salt supplement to be taken with meals to help digest the fat. Talk with your surgeon about this when you see him for your post op checkup.

Answer 3

Did they evaluate for a Hiatal Hernia (HH)? Your symptoms suggest that - and not a gallbladder problem.


HH refers pain between the shoulder blades (upper, mid-back). Gallbladder refers pain to the right shoulder itself (one sided - not central pain).

Belching and abdominal pain are typical of both conditions.

One more thought. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth can also cause these symptoms. This condition is very common today (but not a lot of awareness about it). It is caused by the use of acid inhibiting drugs like Nexium, Prilosec, etc.

Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 4

I have gallstones myself although I am postponing to have a surgery for 7 years already. The reason is that I heard from many people that the symptoms like pain and belching, don't go away even after you have your gallblader removed.

Answer 5

Maybe they removed the wrong organ. You should perform an organ inventory?

Answer 6

Ask your doctor. These symptoms should not be ignored.

Answer 7

Talk with your doctor, you might have another underlying problem.