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Right Abdominal Pain Since Gallbladder removal (worsening by day)
My wife had her gallbladder removed approx. 10 months ago after family phys. found gallbladder function at 15%. 3 days after the lap. surgery she was admitted into a local ICU for severe right side upper area pain, which has been there ever since, (no radiant travel of pain accross or down the abdominal area). The pain is located under/behind the first lower rib on her right side about 6-8 inchs from the center breast plate. On site doctors claimed that this pain was post surgical swelling and it would go away. She was given demeral drip and released after 1 1/2 days. She regularly complained of sharp pains in that area after performing physical task requiring lifting/stretching of the right side or right arm. 4 months ago the pain reached a level that required a visit to the local E.R. After X-rays and blood work, the ER physician said the pain was due to "slightly" packed bowls. A pain shot was given for pain and E.R. Dr said to take a natural laxative, she was back in the E.R. the next night for severe dehydration and original pain of right side. Since that time she has had 7 trips to the emergancy room, 8 visits to the family Dr.. There have been 6 X-rays done to the area of pain, an upper scope, a Spirral C/T scan with contrast at 3mm. An MRI of the upper and lower back area's. Numerous numbers of blood test, all of which showed nothing that the Physicians could even remotely claim to cause this pain. The only common demoniator is that the last 4 sets of X-rays showed full bowels and these 2 metal clip things attached to the area where the gallbladder was before removal. I have seen these X-rays many times and one of these clips are sticking up at approx a 20-25 degree angle. (center/0 deg angle being the right inner shoulder). The other clip (left one, if you are face to face with my wife) is lying down at a left tilt angle of aprox 45-55 deg center/0 deg being the same reference point as stated above. She has been prescribed (excuse the spelling on these) Loritab, Talwin, Oxycodon, and several other local IV's at the ER to help with the pain. This pain has really really gotten worse in the last 5 to 7 weeks. She almost cries herself to sleep everynight now due to the sharp pain in her right side. Sometimes she said its a sharp stabbing pain that turns into a burning stabbing pain. Non of which are superficial, all the pain felt can best be described as deep and under the ribs. Our physician which we changed too approx. 4 weeks ago referred us to another surgeon but warned us that surgeons dont like going back in behind other surgeons to do any additional mending/repairs. After several trips to this new family Dr. and numerous NON-returned phone messages I accidently found this web-site and figured "what the hell". So if any of you medical professionals out there reading this post has some idea's let us know. My 9 year old daughter and I will be right here by the computer watching mommy float around the room on her new drugs
I had my gallbladder removed in 2002 and wish everyday that there were a way to put it back in. since i had it removed, the pains are unbearable. i have the same pains as i did when i had gallstones. the pain under my rib and shoulder blade is still there. when i sit i actually have to lean to my left, i cant sit straight up or i feel like something is jabbing at my rib (almost like when i was pregnant and the baby was kicking my ribs) when i lean forward to pick something up off the ground it also feels like something is stuck there at my ribs. i have constant heartburn now which i never had before the surgery ,so now i have GERD. before the surgery i only had 1 attack a year. i would prefer that 1 attack to the everyday chronic pains.i am only 30, i dont wish to feel these pains for the rest of my life. they did a ultrasound and said they didnt see any reason for the pains. they said it was probably just scar tissue, but this is ridiculous. surgeon said i would feel like a brand new person after having it removed. yeah a brand new person is right.one in pain everyday instead of once a year. plus since i had the gallbladder removed i have steadily put on weight , about 40 pounds. that there is no reason for. i am an active person, was a gymanst. excercise, eat pretty good. i never liked junk food so that isnt an issue.the dr said something about fat and cholesterol not breaking down correctly after removal of GB. what do i do? does anyone else have this problem. is there a way to rid myself of these pains, since putting it back in isnt an option.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Difficult to say without examination.
Post-op surgical changes are certainly possible - and should be evaluated by the surgeon who did the procedure.
One can also consider Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. This can replicate gallbladder pain in those who have had their gallbladders removed. An ERCP with a Sphincter of Oddi manometry can be considered to evaluate this possibility.
Otherwise, a pretty comprehensive set of imaging studies have already been performed - ruling out most of the major causes.
If the cause continues to be non-revealing, a referral to a pain management clinic can be considered to appropriately manage the pain medications.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Post-op surgical changes are certainly possible - and should be evaluated by the surgeon who did the procedure.
One can also consider Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. This can replicate gallbladder pain in those who have had their gallbladders removed. An ERCP with a Sphincter of Oddi manometry can be considered to evaluate this possibility.
Otherwise, a pretty comprehensive set of imaging studies have already been performed - ruling out most of the major causes.
If the cause continues to be non-revealing, a referral to a pain management clinic can be considered to appropriately manage the pain medications.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Hi, I just had my gallbladder removed in June. I developed many problems post op and still have pain, burning and nausea- I was better before the surgery.
I went into the hospital about 3 weeks post-op and had several tests- all of which were negative. I am now about 8 weeks post-op.
I have a history of allergic reaction to titanium implants. I fractured my ankle 5 years ago- had too many problems to go into ---but the doctor had determined, a year later, that I had osteomyelitis and I had a scheduled debridement and hardware removal done 11 months after the fracture. They discovered that I did not have an infection. I had inflammation due to the metal implants - and it was determined I was allergic to them.
Now, this doctor that took my gallbladder out knew that I was allergic to metal implants. I only saw him the week before surgery----never again- not even when I was in the ER after the surgery. It was in my medical chart that I was allergic to metal. He never told me he was implanting metal clips in me. If I had been told, I would have ensured that would not have happened. But, I was not informed.
The second admission to the hospital is when my internal medicine doctor finally asked the gallbladder surgeon if he had used metal clips for closure and sure enough- he had. I did not know until then.
I am now going to see another surgeon and demand that they be removed. In this case, I knew I was allergic to titanium, he knew too and still he used the clips.
But, others here may have the same problem- a metal allergy.
I found a website http://www.melisa.org/ that tests specifically for metal allergy. It is more common than you think.
I am just starting this fight and I hope that the new surgeon will remove the clips. I am now aware that other things have metal in them(such as dental fillings) and I will look into that also as I have several autoimmune disorders that could be linked to metal allergy.
Hope that the website helps for some here.
Kathy
I went into the hospital about 3 weeks post-op and had several tests- all of which were negative. I am now about 8 weeks post-op.
I have a history of allergic reaction to titanium implants. I fractured my ankle 5 years ago- had too many problems to go into ---but the doctor had determined, a year later, that I had osteomyelitis and I had a scheduled debridement and hardware removal done 11 months after the fracture. They discovered that I did not have an infection. I had inflammation due to the metal implants - and it was determined I was allergic to them.
Now, this doctor that took my gallbladder out knew that I was allergic to metal implants. I only saw him the week before surgery----never again- not even when I was in the ER after the surgery. It was in my medical chart that I was allergic to metal. He never told me he was implanting metal clips in me. If I had been told, I would have ensured that would not have happened. But, I was not informed.
The second admission to the hospital is when my internal medicine doctor finally asked the gallbladder surgeon if he had used metal clips for closure and sure enough- he had. I did not know until then.
I am now going to see another surgeon and demand that they be removed. In this case, I knew I was allergic to titanium, he knew too and still he used the clips.
But, others here may have the same problem- a metal allergy.
I found a website http://www.melisa.org/ that tests specifically for metal allergy. It is more common than you think.
I am just starting this fight and I hope that the new surgeon will remove the clips. I am now aware that other things have metal in them(such as dental fillings) and I will look into that also as I have several autoimmune disorders that could be linked to metal allergy.
Hope that the website helps for some here.
Kathy
1) If you still have pain after the surgery, tell your doctor, and explain as clearly as possible. If your doctor dismisses you, see a different one.
Of course surgeons don't like to operate to fix other surgeons' mistakes -- but that's more about wishing the first surgeon hadn't made a mistake in the first place, not about refusing service! It is more difficult to operate after someone else, but surgeons are there to help you, and the won't refuse to operate, or even hesitate, if the reason for operation is fixing a mistake a previous surgeon made. A surgeon a friend's mom saw said that he wished he had been the first to operate, but he hopes he'll be the last.
2) Contrary to Chris33's comments, I have to state that gallstones form in the liver, and that liver flushes are of little benefit. Gallstones form in the gallbladder, and liver flushes can be very dangerous, and are unlikely to rid the gallbladder of stones, unless you have very few, and they are very small. (The ducts that the gallbladder is connected to are only a few milimeters in diameter.)
3) Cholecystectomy should not result in significant changes to your gastrointestional health. The body adapts to not having a gallbladder. (Horses and some other animals do not even have them.) If you have extreme symptoms or pain after your gallbladder is removed, you should make an appointment and TELL YOUR SURGEON, because it is not standard, nor is anything you should have to live with. These extreme symptoms are likely due to another illness (that may or may not have existed before gallbladder removal), or, very very rarely, a mistake made during surgery.
4) The clips used in the surgery are generally made of titanium, though absorbable clips exist. It is definitely a shame that the only way patients learn that there will be clips left inside them is through their own research or discovery from x-rays. However, titanium is inert to the body, and various research has shown that patients who receive absorbable clips have the same post surgical outcome as those who receive titanium clips. Of course, it's possible that there are people who have reactions to titanium. (Again, if this exists, it's extremely, extremely, rare.).
Of course surgeons don't like to operate to fix other surgeons' mistakes -- but that's more about wishing the first surgeon hadn't made a mistake in the first place, not about refusing service! It is more difficult to operate after someone else, but surgeons are there to help you, and the won't refuse to operate, or even hesitate, if the reason for operation is fixing a mistake a previous surgeon made. A surgeon a friend's mom saw said that he wished he had been the first to operate, but he hopes he'll be the last.
2) Contrary to Chris33's comments, I have to state that gallstones form in the liver, and that liver flushes are of little benefit. Gallstones form in the gallbladder, and liver flushes can be very dangerous, and are unlikely to rid the gallbladder of stones, unless you have very few, and they are very small. (The ducts that the gallbladder is connected to are only a few milimeters in diameter.)
3) Cholecystectomy should not result in significant changes to your gastrointestional health. The body adapts to not having a gallbladder. (Horses and some other animals do not even have them.) If you have extreme symptoms or pain after your gallbladder is removed, you should make an appointment and TELL YOUR SURGEON, because it is not standard, nor is anything you should have to live with. These extreme symptoms are likely due to another illness (that may or may not have existed before gallbladder removal), or, very very rarely, a mistake made during surgery.
4) The clips used in the surgery are generally made of titanium, though absorbable clips exist. It is definitely a shame that the only way patients learn that there will be clips left inside them is through their own research or discovery from x-rays. However, titanium is inert to the body, and various research has shown that patients who receive absorbable clips have the same post surgical outcome as those who receive titanium clips. Of course, it's possible that there are people who have reactions to titanium. (Again, if this exists, it's extremely, extremely, rare.).
First off, I work in surgery, so for you who are concerned about the clips, let me explain how they work. I am not discounting the possibility that you may be allergic to the metal clips, but that's is how the procedure is done. The gallbladder has to be disconnected from the bile duct, and the cystic artery. Once these 2 are identified, they are clipped and cut. If they are not clipped, you would either bleed to death, or you would become septic and die from all the bile leaking into your system. The only other alternative is to be cut on( a huge cut across your upper abdomen,and the gallbladder taken out that way, in which case the duct and artery can be tied off with absorable suture( surgeons sometimes still use the clips even in an open procedure).
Second of all, Gallstones are not formed in the gallbladder, they are formed in the liver. If you are suffering from gallstones, and have your gallbladder removed, and are still having the same symptoms, then you have not rid yourself of the gallstones in your liver, and you will continue to hurt, and experience the same problems. Even if you have no stones in your gallbladder, chances that you have them in your liver are pretty good, you must have them removed. I have suffered with gallstones since early this year, and are scheduled for gallbladder surgery friday at noon. The reason? For years I have ate what I wanted to, and disregarded the implications of such irresponsible beharior. My gallbadder functions at 32%. If you are still suffering, please try this. Go to www.************ liver and gallbladder cleanse, and go to DR Clarks recipe for ridding your body of gallstones. I give you my word it works, as my ultrasound today proved, I had no gallstones. I have done his cleanse 5 times, and rid my body of at least 1000 gallstones, now I just have the pain of a non functioning gallbladder. the ingredients for the cleanse are less than 20 bucks, and might solve your pain problems. Good luck. I can be reached at ***@**** if you have any questions. God speed on your healing.
Second of all, Gallstones are not formed in the gallbladder, they are formed in the liver. If you are suffering from gallstones, and have your gallbladder removed, and are still having the same symptoms, then you have not rid yourself of the gallstones in your liver, and you will continue to hurt, and experience the same problems. Even if you have no stones in your gallbladder, chances that you have them in your liver are pretty good, you must have them removed. I have suffered with gallstones since early this year, and are scheduled for gallbladder surgery friday at noon. The reason? For years I have ate what I wanted to, and disregarded the implications of such irresponsible beharior. My gallbadder functions at 32%. If you are still suffering, please try this. Go to www.************ liver and gallbladder cleanse, and go to DR Clarks recipe for ridding your body of gallstones. I give you my word it works, as my ultrasound today proved, I had no gallstones. I have done his cleanse 5 times, and rid my body of at least 1000 gallstones, now I just have the pain of a non functioning gallbladder. the ingredients for the cleanse are less than 20 bucks, and might solve your pain problems. Good luck. I can be reached at ***@**** if you have any questions. God speed on your healing.
Hello, I have been reading all the comments about all the problems everyone is having and like all of you I also had my gallbladder removed. It took 2 years of convincing the docs that I really had a problem. But I am glad it is gone. I was told after the surgery my gallbladder was thicked and there was alot of immflamation also. So it needed to come out. I have been living on cereal, salads, fish, vegetables and ice cream for the whole time. Although I have less pain it is still there in a big way.Gained 10 lbs since surgery (lost 35). I am still on the meds (Dilaudid) for the last 2 years also. I am still taking it as this is all the help I am getting at this point. I have gotten down to a low dose but had to get back up to the higher amounts. I still have severe right side pain. So I stay on it. No one has an answer as to what is wrong. I think the docs sometimes just guess when they don't have an answer for all of us.
I feel as though I am 65 not 45 most days. I am also on amytriptiline at night to get some rest. That helps with the sleeping anyway. Other than that I have exausted all possibilities for what else to do. Obviously narcotics are not the answer but I am hesitant to give them up as I have a hard heavy job and I need to be there to survive finacially. Maybe someone would have an answer to what else I could take that would not be so addictive. I do not want to be classed as a drug addict but need to get to work daily and this seems to be the only answer right now. I saw the GI specialist and she says to take Psylllium and wrote a prescripition for Busoopan? I don't know whether this will help but I am willing to try anything at this point. It is very frustrating. Any hints I'm open. Wish the best for all who are experiencing this. As others have said we are not NUTS!! thanks for listening. Kim
I feel as though I am 65 not 45 most days. I am also on amytriptiline at night to get some rest. That helps with the sleeping anyway. Other than that I have exausted all possibilities for what else to do. Obviously narcotics are not the answer but I am hesitant to give them up as I have a hard heavy job and I need to be there to survive finacially. Maybe someone would have an answer to what else I could take that would not be so addictive. I do not want to be classed as a drug addict but need to get to work daily and this seems to be the only answer right now. I saw the GI specialist and she says to take Psylllium and wrote a prescripition for Busoopan? I don't know whether this will help but I am willing to try anything at this point. It is very frustrating. Any hints I'm open. Wish the best for all who are experiencing this. As others have said we are not NUTS!! thanks for listening. Kim
Hey there,I've had this really bad pain under my right rib cage for a while, probably 5 years. I've gone to the doctor and he told me that it could be my gallbladder. Well, after they've tested me, they said that it doesn't function as it should anymore, but they didn't find any stones.
The doctor told me to have it removed. But I didn't do that until I've had the same attack last August again. But this time I've had it so bad that I couldn't eat for several months right anymore. All I ate was oatmeal and light meals. It was misserable.I've felt like my food was constantly stuck in my throat. I got almost every single night for months this really bad pain in my right shoulder plate and the pain ran from my shoulder plate under my right rip cage. I constantly thought it was heartburn. I've had so bad pain that I cried and couldn't sleep. The doctor told me that I had to have my gallbladder removed, that this was the reason. To make the story short, I got my gallbladder removed last November. BIG MISTAKE!!! I wish I could have it back!!! Since ever then it has gotten worse. I have still those really bad attacks. The pain always starts in my right shoulder blade and then it connects with the pain under the right rib cage. It feels like stabbing unbearable pain. It also feels like it is burning in there. That's why I thought it was heartburn. But I am not sure about that anymore, since the pain is so strong. I am on acid medication since last August, which has been 10 months now. Nothing helps. I have a weird feeling in my throat, like something is stuck. It got worse after my surgery. A really weird feeling appeared in my throat, like a feeling that there is a hook on my inside gallbladder scar that is hooked up with my throat and it pulls down. it sounds weird, but that is the only way how to discribe it. I am in deep pain when the attack with the shoulder pain and rip cage pain are present. Which are right now there too. I've had to get up from sleep again because I can't lay when this happens, to much pain. I am only 27 years old and I am so scared that I will have to live the rest of my life with this now. The cronic pain is there during the day, but the attacks happen ever now and then.
I need help but the doctors are without results. I have had so many things done. They looked down my throat, into my stomach, they've done an colonoscopy and all kinds of other things, they couldn't find anything! Is there any doctor who has any Idea what this could be?? I NEED HELP! I am so depressed with this and frustrated. I want my life back as it was. HAPPY AND HEALTY! I have trouble being active in sports or walking! My life has changed because I am constantly in pain.
I would appreciate help.
Thanks!
The doctor told me to have it removed. But I didn't do that until I've had the same attack last August again. But this time I've had it so bad that I couldn't eat for several months right anymore. All I ate was oatmeal and light meals. It was misserable.I've felt like my food was constantly stuck in my throat. I got almost every single night for months this really bad pain in my right shoulder plate and the pain ran from my shoulder plate under my right rip cage. I constantly thought it was heartburn. I've had so bad pain that I cried and couldn't sleep. The doctor told me that I had to have my gallbladder removed, that this was the reason. To make the story short, I got my gallbladder removed last November. BIG MISTAKE!!! I wish I could have it back!!! Since ever then it has gotten worse. I have still those really bad attacks. The pain always starts in my right shoulder blade and then it connects with the pain under the right rib cage. It feels like stabbing unbearable pain. It also feels like it is burning in there. That's why I thought it was heartburn. But I am not sure about that anymore, since the pain is so strong. I am on acid medication since last August, which has been 10 months now. Nothing helps. I have a weird feeling in my throat, like something is stuck. It got worse after my surgery. A really weird feeling appeared in my throat, like a feeling that there is a hook on my inside gallbladder scar that is hooked up with my throat and it pulls down. it sounds weird, but that is the only way how to discribe it. I am in deep pain when the attack with the shoulder pain and rip cage pain are present. Which are right now there too. I've had to get up from sleep again because I can't lay when this happens, to much pain. I am only 27 years old and I am so scared that I will have to live the rest of my life with this now. The cronic pain is there during the day, but the attacks happen ever now and then.
I need help but the doctors are without results. I have had so many things done. They looked down my throat, into my stomach, they've done an colonoscopy and all kinds of other things, they couldn't find anything! Is there any doctor who has any Idea what this could be?? I NEED HELP! I am so depressed with this and frustrated. I want my life back as it was. HAPPY AND HEALTY! I have trouble being active in sports or walking! My life has changed because I am constantly in pain.
I would appreciate help.
Thanks!
If you have pain under your right ribs and all tests come back normal then you are not alone. I am putting together a support group. If you want to call me I will take your name and number and your conditions. I will let you know if someone else with the same symptoms finds any answers. You can email me at ***@**** or call me, Ricky, at 601-657-4587. We can get through this if we work together.
My story sounds exactly the same. Gallbladder out July '05, pain, getting worse. Have had all the tests for bile ducts, etc. Finally dr. did a biopsy of my small intesine, guess what...finally diagnosis... Celiac disease. I have been reading alot about it (as most Dr's dont know a whole alot about it) and have been on a gluten/wheat free diet since - makes a huge difference in the pain. Now I am almost pain free, but if I mistakenly eat something with gluten/wheat - the pain returns. Please read up on Celiac - it is definately worth a try, a very good book is "Dangerous Grains". Good luck.
apsenmarie
apsenmarie
Has anyone uncovered a link between the post op pain and the usage of the metal clips to close the ducts?
How many people with this problem have reactions to metals.... ears getting irritated if earrings aren't gold etc....
My wife is 3 weeks out from the surgery and the pain is bad. She found these posts and started to cry... this is me she said....
She has a severely painful reaction to a metal stent during a kidney operation a few years ago... as soon as the stent was removed she felt better....
Now that we've read more on the surgical procedure and see that they use either metal clips, disolvable clips, or string to tie the ducts closed; we believe the problem may be a reaction to the metal...
Anyone else?
How many people with this problem have reactions to metals.... ears getting irritated if earrings aren't gold etc....
My wife is 3 weeks out from the surgery and the pain is bad. She found these posts and started to cry... this is me she said....
She has a severely painful reaction to a metal stent during a kidney operation a few years ago... as soon as the stent was removed she felt better....
Now that we've read more on the surgical procedure and see that they use either metal clips, disolvable clips, or string to tie the ducts closed; we believe the problem may be a reaction to the metal...
Anyone else?
I'm a 20/M I recently had my gallbladder removed and am having pain also. Around the same place i originally had the pain before i got it removed. It's been about 10 days since and i'm noticing not only the occasional pain, but also nausea, dark yellow urine in the mornings but light yellow during the day, and green stools. Anyone else relate to this? or should be of concern
I hesitate mentioning other sites, but there are some people on the WebMd IBS board (it's used for more than IBS) who have had problems following GB surgery with many of the same symptoms you're describing and have had to search for answers, too. You might want to take a look through the posts or possibly post yourself and see if someone might be able to at least reassure you that you're not alone. It's very difficult when you know you're in pain but the docs your working with can't seem to help, or find a cause. Also take a look on eMedicine (sign in) and look up postcholecystectomy syndrome in the articles section. Take the time to wade through the jargon, as the information may reinforce you knowing that you're not 'nuts,' that something is going on, and that you have to push to get to the cause of the problem.
If this pain started after the surgery, then it sounds like it could be several things. I would get her off all pain meds if possible and start trying to heal her naturally. Go buy a juicer. Go buy some beets, radishes, and cucumbers, along with carrots. The cucumber juice has an anti-inflammatory component in it. The beets and radishes with thin the bile( if tube is narrowed) Also, there are a thousand other unknown components in these that HEAL... Think "healing". The body needs a missing X...It is in these foods! Good Luck
Please follow through on the doc's suggestion about checking on SOD. It's unfortunate, but there are many people who seem to either develop the condition following gallbladder surgery, or may have previously had the condition and it was only 'uncovered' after the gallbladder is removed. The pain is described by many as very similar to that experienced when they were having gallbladder problems and in some cases can have a person on the floor curled into a fetal position in agony. If you do consult with docs and find that the condition may be SOD, please seek out someone experienced with the condition to get treatment. And as Dr. Kevin suggested request manometry, keeping in mind that many places do not have the capabilities to do the ERCP with manometry, so you may have to look and ask.
Some docs will do an ERCP and perform a sphincterotomy as as standard measure when a patient has pain. However, if a rise in pressure cannot be confirmed via manometry it might not be the best idea.
If the problem is SOD, certain drugs in the opiate class can increase ductal pressures and might make the pain worse, so please talk to your doc about that possibility while you are trying to get to the cause of the problem.
A decent site to read about SOD is: http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu/pages/latin/templates/index.cfm?pg=disease1&organ=3&disease=12&lang_id=1 I would suggest that you and your wife learn all that you can about postcholecystectomy problems to see if what she is going through might match what you find out. You will better be able to discuss the problems with the doctors you will be talking with. You might also search the Medscape and eMedicine websites for further information.
I hope your wife will be able to get some relief soon.
Some docs will do an ERCP and perform a sphincterotomy as as standard measure when a patient has pain. However, if a rise in pressure cannot be confirmed via manometry it might not be the best idea.
If the problem is SOD, certain drugs in the opiate class can increase ductal pressures and might make the pain worse, so please talk to your doc about that possibility while you are trying to get to the cause of the problem.
A decent site to read about SOD is: http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu/pages/latin/templates/index.cfm?pg=disease1&organ=3&disease=12&lang_id=1 I would suggest that you and your wife learn all that you can about postcholecystectomy problems to see if what she is going through might match what you find out. You will better be able to discuss the problems with the doctors you will be talking with. You might also search the Medscape and eMedicine websites for further information.
I hope your wife will be able to get some relief soon.
It definately sounds like something was put back together wrong. For as long as she's been suffering, I would say she would probably welcome the opportunity for them to open her up and take a look. Sometimes all the tests/scans can't see what the eye can when a person is opened up. Laproscopic surgery is great for some people, but for a few there can be serious complications. I say keep calling surgeons, preferably at a different hospital/medical group, until you find one willing to do exploratory surgery. They may have accidentelly blocked off the biliary duct to the small intestine which seems like it could lead to full bowels. (I am only saying this because too much bile in the small bowel leads to diaharrea, so conversely too little should lead to slow bowels.) Don't let them go laproscopic again. A scar would be a small price to pay for sucess. Good luck. You'll be in my prayers.
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