What Causes Persistent Abdominal Discomfort After Gallbladder Removal?

Posted on Mon, 5 Dec 2016

Question: Why does my gall bladder still bothers me when it was removed over a year ago.

Answered by Dr. Tayyab Malik (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
kindly read detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
hi.
thanks for posting query at HCM.

Once gall bladder is removed , the epigastric/abdominal discomfort maybe due to :
1. stones in common bile duct
OR
2.increased fat intake
OR
3. gastritis
OR
4.functional pain.

when gall bladder is removed completely in surgical intervention; fat digestion is impaired. You may had been asked to cut fat completely from your diet ( or keep to minimum) after gall bladder surgery. fat intolerance varies from person to person after gall bladder removal.

secondly, gall bladder stores bile. in the absence of gall bladder, bile is not stored and "continuously" being secreted in to small intestine. this may lead to reflux of bile into stomach causing gastritis and abdominal discomfort.

advice:
- get an ultrasound (abdomen) to rule out any stone remnants in common bile duct
- also get a complete blood cell count(CBC) test
- avoid OILY food
- you may need to take nexium/pantocid 40mg once daily before breakfast
- avoid eating stomach full and mouth full
- eat small meals regularly
- avoid spicy food

wish you good health.
further queries are welcomed.

regards
Dr Tayyab Malik

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T