Surgery?

[Mary724]

I had my gall bladder removed and had no side effects until two weeks afterward.  I started getting a horrid sour taste in my mouth.  I was told to take prevacid twice a day and a zantac 150 before I went to bed. Bed is elevated.  I started feeling better but still had bouts of the sour taste and have stomach pain for weeks/months at a time.  The doc said of course it is bile reflux.  I've had all the tests, tubes down my throat overnight to measure swallow, how high the reflux goes (up to my throat), everything. The doc said I need to have the surgery where they wrap my stomach around my esophagus to tighten it to keep the reflux down.  I read that that surgery is fine for acid reflux but not as effective for bile reflux and that for bile reflux you would need that surgery (diversion surgery) that makes the bile flow lower into the digestive tract so it isn't irritating your stomach.  I have put off any surgeries because I'm afraid the wrap surgery won't work.  My doctor is a top surgeon for reflux but not the other surgery.  I just don't know what to do.  I have had this for several years now and am SO sick of feeling sick.  The diversion surgery is one that people with weight problems get.  The mortality rate I hear is not good.  Not sure what I should do.  I'm getting desperate though.

[ginger788]

It sounds like your problem is a lot like my daughter.  Please read my post and tell me if it sounds like what you are experiencing.  How long as it been since you had your gall bladder out?  How old are you?  Does the pain build until you vomit bile?

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
There are few medical treatment available for alkaline (bile ) reflux.
Aluminum hydroxide antacids, liquid sucralfate and urso deoxy cholic acid are helpful in  controlling the effects of alkaline reflux.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.