problems after gall bladder surgery

I have been thinking maybe I have IBS or something of the sort. I have been doing a little research and think it maybe becouse I had my gall bladder out a year ago (Jan. 08). This started around May last year, so 3 to 4 months after surgery. I get so bloated and gassy and bad pains in my stomach. My stomach can get really distended. I have been getting heart burn more latley too. I think my stomach is having trouble digesting things. Has anyone out there gone through the same thing? If so have you found something that works for you? I am tired of the pains and bloating and just want my normal life back. Please help, if you can.

Hi. It sounds like it could be what you are eating. My sister, mom, 2 aunts, and 2 cousins had their gall bladders removed and had to change their diets. I would talk to your doctor to see if this is what it could be and to get a list of what you can and cannot eat.

I hope this helps!

Thanks for your reply. I have just started taking some digestive enzymes and that seems to help quit a bit. Hopefully this will solve the problem.

You might have GURD - all GI problems all tend to come hand in hand. I had super-bad GURD before my gallbladder became diseased, and IBS problems after my GB removal.  If you have problems with one bit, the others are probably off, too. Suggestions:

- get a long-acting antacid / acid reflux medicine. Over the counter they have prilosec, prescription they have protonix. Ask your doctor which you should take.

- if you think it's somthing you're eating, have you discussed a special diet with your doctor? There could be a lot of things that irritate sensitive tummies - acidic food, high-fat food, gluten.... have you ever been tested for food allergies or sensitivities?

Depending on how much this is affecting your day-to-day life, you and your doctor might consider what is known as an elemination diet, where you reduce what you eat to a few things, and then slowly add in foods that you suspect you are sensitive to. That way, you can pin down what ails you. But this type of treatment must be overseen by a doctor - doing it on your own can cause more damage.

Good luck; I hope you feel better soon!

I had my gallbladder taken 10 years ago.  My gallbladder was the largest the surgeon had ever seen.  It was packed full of gallstones, all different sizes.  Anyways she warned me my diet would have to change and I would most likely have heartburn till death but there were new remedies on the market.  Yeah for me.  Well I watched what I ate and even lost 15lbs.  I was 5'7" at 165lbs down to 150lbs (not bad)  I slowly introduced Mexican, Italian, Indian and chinese cuisine back into my diet.  I had no problems until 2 years ago.  I have heartburn I can honestly say 4 days out of the week.  I can't drink milk (maybe I'm lactose tolerant now), ice cream or milkshakes it always wants to come back up.  I can eat yogurt but am in the restroom shortly after.  (I use it as a cleansing.)  I eat a lot of tums.  I have tums in the kitchen, downstairs bathroom and my bathroom.  I keep them in my purse, my car and my husbands truck and at my desk.  When I go in for my annual this summer I'm going to talk to my dr about it.  After really thinking about it and writing it down I probably need something more than tums. 

This probably didn't help you at all.  I'm truly sorry. 

Don't be embarrassed by your situation. Tell your dr what you're experiencing.  Don't try to remedy your situation by yourself.  Get professional guidance.    Please make an apt today.    

Thanks for your responses. It helps knowing others out there go through the same thing. I have been playing around with my diet the last couple days. If I cut the fat down and eat small meals I seem to do a lot better. At least I don't look 6 months pregnant. My doctor never said that my diet would have to change once I had my gall bladder taken out. I wish he would have. I have been eating like I did when my gall bladder was acting up and things seem fine for now. Maybe I'll lose the last 5-7 pounds this way,.