Post Gallbladder surgery (6 weeks)

[margieh]

I had Gall bladder surgery (laprisocopy) over 6 weeks ago.  I am able to have a bm everyday and it
is not loose.  I can burp.  My problem:  I cannot flatulence and I am so bloated.  When I wake in the
morning I feel fine and within 5 mins. I am bloated.  The bloatiness is so bad that it hurts my ribs and
my back spinal area.  I am in constant pain.  It hurts to sit, it hurts to stand....IT HURTS
When I had the gall bladder removed I did not have stones, the HIDA scan showed that it was just not
working correctly.  I did have gall bladder attacks (3 in one week).
I am also having a sharp pain in my left side near the intestine.  I had a hysterectomy 5 yrs. ago, so
I know it has nothing to do w/ my ovaries.
I have had every test under the sun:  endoscope, colonoscopy,  MRI, ultrsound, 2 CT's (one w/ barium
on w/out) and a barium enema.  I have been probed and prodded.  
I know this feeling is not right, I am not me post the first GB attacks.
Does anyone have any idea or advice?  Please help, there are days that I am at my wits end!  

[CalGal]

Beano and Gas-X aren't 'all purpose' things to rid you of gas. Beano only works on foods with 'specific' links in the chain of what makes them up. If you aren't eating those foods there's nothing for the Beano to work on and you're wasting your money. Gas-X works to supposedly bring all the little gas bubbles together into bigger bubbles so hopefully they'll make enough of a mass to go through your system 'together' so that you can get rid of them. It works for some people, but not everyone, unfortuantely.

I'm assuming that the tests you mentioned were AFTER the gallbladder came out, right? And that you mean the tests showed that the bloating was not due to any organic cause............?

If you're sure you don't have low-grade pancreatitis - did they run liver and pancreatic enzyme level tests? - about the only other thing I can think to suggest is that you try probiotics. They're the 'good' bacteria you should have in your GI tract that you may not have at the current time due to all that's happened. There are several good brands on the market including Digestive Advantage-IBS, Culturelle and FloraQ. However, if there's any possibility of pancreatitis of any form or of problems with the muscular opening from the common bile duct to the duodenum, it's suggested people don't take them.

[margieh]

I did leave out a bit of information.
My diet is very bland, as I am afraid of the bloating.  I will bloat just when I only drink water.  I am on a very low fat diet.
Also, I have tried Beano, GasX, and Mylanta II.  Nothing seemed to help.
Anymore input would be great.
thanks,

[CalGal]

Take a close look at your diet and see if you can find any foods that are contributing to the bloating. It's possible that you're not digesting foods as well as you did before the surgery and you're body is passing through more food into the larger intestine and the bacteria are having a 'buffet.' Part of the byproduct of their digestion is gas, so that may be a factor.

Another thng may be that you're not digesting fats as well as you did before the surgery and it may be contributing to the problem. Many people find they have to stay on a low fat diet for some time to allow their body to adjust.