Should I be bloated and feel faint 2 weeks after gallbladder surgery?

[bclog1982]

I had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago because it was non functioning and I was always bloated after meals with lots of gas.  I also felt as though I might pass out several time.  I felt good the first 2 weeks but last night I had fried fish for dinner and again I had the bloating, gas and feeling like I was going to faint.  Should I be watching my diet or could there be another problem besides the gall bladder.


This discussion is related to Pain, bloating, � gas after gall bladder removal.

[CalGal]

Yes, do watch your diet and keep it low fat. Many people have problems processing fats the way they did before the surgery, and it may take quite awhile to adjust.

[Banned1]

Hi there:

I'm sorry to hear that you're still suffering.  I was admitted into hospital a couple of weeks after I had my gallbladder removed and I dimly recall the ER Doc asking me whether I'd recently had a fatty meal.  Since I hadn't, that was the end of the discussion.  In any event, I would get back to the Doctor for a follow-up as soon as you practically can.  I don't think it would hurt to eat a bland diet with lots of fruits, veggies and fluids.

Check out, http://www.medfriendly.com/postcholecystectomysyndrome.html which reads, "Possible signs of PCS include fever, nausea, gas, bloating, and diarrhea."  Since you have at least two out of the five symptoms off the bat, it's a consideration.

Hopefully these are just temporary symptoms that will resolve but, just in case, you may want to keep a journal or a blog and your welcome to read mine if you want.  It's a great way to review your situation objectively and identify patterns in your symptoms, medications and pain level.  Hindsight is 20/20 and keeping a log might help you look at things more objectively over the longer term.  Also, if you have to go into Emergency, you can say, this has been the pattern...

Many people get a diagnosis of Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome or Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction but you'll need to do your research and see which area your symptoms fit into.  Many of us still don't have a diagnosis, just symptoms.  As I tell everyone, there is an excellent resource called, "The First Principles of Gastroenterology": http://gastroresource.com/GITextbook/en/Default.htm.   It should help you with your research.

I know firsthand how high your hopes are when you finally have your gallbladder removed only to be crushed when your symptoms are still there or are worse.  Remember, you are not alone!  Try to stay positive and reach out for support when you need it.  Talk to your Doctor, family, friends, co-workers, church or social service volunteers or anyone you feel safe with.  

When you do find answers, it would be wonderful if you could post the cause(s) and how you got rid of your pain.  It gives people on this site hope to hear success stories.

Take care of yourself.  Good luck and Godspeed.  All the best,

Sam

[billwh]

"It may take quite a while to adjust".....does that mean you ever ARE able to eat fats after gall bladder removal?

Obviously I wouldn't want to eat fats all the time, but are you able to have them ocassionally?

[CalGal]

Billwh, there's no definitive answer to that. Some people can eat quite normally, while others may have to maintain a mostly low-fat diet on a continual basis. I believe that a large number of people say they can have them periodically but not in quantity, and they will have looser than normal stools after the fat.