Many of those who do experience negative symptoms such as indigestion and diarrhea after gallbladder surgery are able to get relief by simply changing their diet. I'm 33 years old and it has been 3 years since I had my GallBladder removed!! Certain gastrointestinal diseases cause gas and bloating, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), celiac disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). My mother is also having the same problems. Post-surgical bloating and swelling is mostly eased with time. i'm going to be copying and pasting this in a few diffrent forums so if you see it twice,I apologize : ), terry Barlotta KS, Stack LB, Knoop KJ. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. It takes time for your body to fully adjust. Since then I have gone from size 2 to size 10. Its often accompanied by the feeling of being bloated with trapped gas or digestive contents. I'd like to think maybe the dr is right but I just dont trust them. It is important to have someone on hand that can assist with these tasks while they are recovering. I'm glad we a support forum, it's hard to tell anyone your problem unless they had gallbladder surgery. Ginger is an effective way to relieve bloating because it helps stimulate the gallbladder to contract and release more bile into the intestines. Stay hydrated with water, tea, or fruit juice if youre not hungry enough to eat solid food. This process usually takes five to seven days and requires that you consume only liquids during this time period. over a year ago, colann5144478 Don't think I'm constipated and I've been having bouts of diarreah and soft stool. She had gall stones removed last October. Why is my stomach bigger after hernia surgery? The slowing down of the bowels and the stomach is the most common cause of a bigger stomach after cholecystectomy because of the accumulated gas. My gallbladder surgery was about 12 years ago. Give your stomach some downtime after surgery. Read our editorial policy. In addition, you should eat mild, easy-to-digest food in small quantities throughout the day to avoid bloating. It's very uncomfortable and I can't eat much because I feel so stuffed and the nausea makes it worse. Follow. And my endoscopy showed gastritis and my colonoscopy showed internal hemorrhoids. MY LIFE WAS RUINED . If you notice that abdominal distension occurs after you eat, you may be able to change your eating habits to prevent it. Some things that have helped me somewhat are Maximum Strength Phazyme Gas & Acid. To find out if inguinal hernia repair surgery is right for you, Contact Orange County General Robotic Surgery at (714) 706-1257 for a consultation with Dr. Abtin H. Khosravi. The nausea lasts all day. My stomach seems to feel very full now. I also started getting nauseous. Exercise and stay active Fatigue and decreased energy levels are common right after any surgical procedure, so its important to rest as often as needed. 3 Health Risks for Dogs, Lucrative Career Choices For People Interested In Facial Aesthetics, Rehabilitation and Beyond: 4 Things To Expect After Knee Surgery. I have to avoid desk jobs. This was my first surgery ever and I'm just nervous and scared . he told me that it normally goes away on its own within two months, but for patients with persistent diarrhea they can prescribe medication that will make it stop for good. please reply to em if you have. This is caused by the air that your doctor put in your belly to help see your organs better. If you experience burning pain after gallbladder surgery, it might be caused by bile leakage. If I do try to eat my stomach literally feels like it's about to burst and it makes it hard to breathe. The seriousness of the surgery will determine the length of time for recovery. Again, be aware that many of these food intolerances are temporary, so you can try to re-introduce problematic foods later on. over a year ago. BUT NOW AFTER OVER A YEAR OF TESTING IT SEEMS LIKE I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXTREME COMPLICATIONS THAT ARE LEANING TOWARDS THIS SURGERY. back or kidney pain after gall bladder removal? You're not the first or the last to go through it. They didn't find either on any of the test. In most cases, the stomach will return to its pre-surgery size within a few weeks. In some cases, a second surgery may be needed to resolve symptoms, which may include: According to a 2018 study, having a cholecystectomy did not relieve a persons symptoms in as many as 40% of those who had the surgery. New baby anda 18 month old with and a Mommy who lost sleep during the night because i would wake-up fromsevere pain. This is usually due to bloating and gas, which is caused by the body's inability to digest certain foods without the gallbladder. I seeked help from my primary doctor and obgyn and both were not all interested in helping me or giving me a clue as to what was my issue!! Solid organs include the liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries and uterus. So thank you everyone that commented on weight gain after gall bladder surgery( mine was an emergency surgery also), now i understand the problem and maybe with serious exercise and meal maintenance I can get rid of this extra person that i have been carrying around especially my stomach. If you had laparoscopic surgery, it's normal to also have some shoulder pain. I HAVE HAD LOTS OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD IT NO COMPLICATIONS. It may be acute a sudden, unusual occurrence or chronic something that occurs and resolves itself repeatedly in a predictable way. Remove the band aids or gauze 2 days after you get home. Remember you had an organ removed! You may have gas or need to burp a lot at first. This so called hormone produced gallstones in my gallbladder causing the bile duct blockage. over a year ago, lisa First off, after having Gallbladder surgery you can't eat everything you use to. The hollow organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, gallbladder, bile ducts, fallopian tubes, uterus and bladder. Gallstones are collections of hardened substances that form within the gallbladder. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's been 9 months for me. I got my gall bladder removed 3 days ago and an umbilical hernia repaired. Answer (1 of 2): I went through this same thing and I am a nurse. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In most cases, most traces of swelling are gone within several weeks after surgery. (the generic is "Cholestyramine fo Oral Suppression") It is a "bile binding agent", normally prescribed to reduce cholestreol (sp) levels. I found a note on the internet to try Questran. I do have some burning in my stomach area at times. However, abdominal distension isnt always from digestive processes. Gravity pulls everything downward, the fluids in the body are no exception. NOW, I'M ASKING TO BE FIXED, BUT THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE. During these appointments, expect to have your vitals taken and answer questions about your health and comfort, and undergo a visual inspection of the wound site. Some issues can cause the stomach to remain swollen, and most patients describe this as a tight, uncomfortable bloated feeling that comes and goes or lingers. It is FREE! Make sure that all of your incisions are dressed appropriately before going back to work or school so they can heal properly and prevent infection! I talked to my surgeon about it and he said I must be gulping air when I eat or drink. Etiologies of long-term postcholecystectomy symptoms: A systematic review. Once the gallbladder is removed, the cystic duct is no longer needed and it is usually detached at a point that is very close to where it joins the common bile duct. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Symptoms of a . Why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery? Full recovery takes about two weeks to allow for internal healing. 2018;163(4):661-666. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2017.09.004, Chowbey P, Sharma A, Goswami A, et al. respect of any healthcare matters. Keep it light, avoid heavy items Lifting items over 10 to 15 pounds during the first few days after gallbladder surgery is a no-no. The body will be unable to digest fat and sugar productively. Adjustments to your diet and eating habits may help relieve these problems. Symptoms of post-cholecystectomy syndrome typically begin in the postoperative period, but can also begin months or years after surgery. did they find out exactly whats making you bloat like that and what to do to fix it? I forgot to mention some people have told me they've developed gastritis after gallbladder surgery and I was thinking maybe it's this but I feel no burning in my stomach it's just the fullness feeling and my incisions hurt a bit sometimes like tugging so I'm thinking its just this. The cystic duct is approximately 1.5 inches long. My life has been racked, I have lost all. I find myself buying baby doll blouses and dresses because i need to hide my stomach!! THIS I'M SORRY TO SAY IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My jeans fit again, although still a tad tighter than they should be. My doctor refused any pain meds pre-op, so it was back and forth to the ER just to get relief and stop getting sick. Etiologies of long-term postcholecystectomy symptoms: A systematic review. Can gallbladder cause smelly poop? Today I was asked if I'm pregnant againbecause my stomach looked so big, "I mean so rounded from top to bottom".I was like thankyou for that very detailed description of my stomach!! This translates to nearly 280,000 people (out of a total of 700,000) each year who do not experience a complete absence of symptoms after gallbladder surgery. But bile fluid can occasionally leak out into the tummy (abdomen) after the gallbladder is removed. And whether performed utilizing conventional, laparoscopic, and minimally invasive practices or a robotic-assisted surgical system, there is some pain and discomfort involved during recovery. Thank you. Mild swelling is likely due to gas, and it usually goes away in a few days with normal activity. I didnt even question it, after not sleeping for about 4 days because of the pain and not eating right, I was very delirious and the doctor diagnosed me just after hearing my symptoms and with his diagnosis cofirmed with the ultrasound, I was like I'll be fine, he said I dont need the Gallbladder anyways!! Some people may require subsequent surgery to resolve issues. The location of the outward curve, whether it's uniform across your abdominal cavity or more pronounced in a particular region, helps them determine which organs are involved and narrow down the list of likely causes. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. A doctor told me that a person should take their weight and divide that in half and that is how many ounces of water they should drink a day. Symptoms of bile leaking include stomach ache, vomiting and bloated stomach. It is important to clean the incision with a sterile soap and a sponge or washcloth. Dont do anything that increases your risk of infection (including strenuous exercise). Apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and promote healing. Your doctor should be ok with giving you this script since it's not a narcotic. You can see and measure the difference, and sometimes you can feel it. After gallbladder surgery, some people have digestion problems and upper abdominal pain. Contact Orange County Robotic General Surgery today! I wanted to make sure there were no gallstones in the bile duct. 18 December, 2018. These are a couple of reasons why. A distended abdomen is abnormally swollen outward. The procedure requires surgical gas to fill the stomach cavity to make it large enough for the surgeon to perform the procedure. Obesity and rapid weight loss are risk factors for developing gallstones. Gastroenterol Res Pract. Then out of no where it would come back. In: Suneja M, Szot JF, LeBlond RF, Brown DD. This is because the bile that the gallbladder produces, which is necessary for digestion, becomes more concentrated after surgery. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This whole situation is not fun! Bile Leakage. Stress Stress triggers the release of the stress hormone called cortisol. It is responsible for storing bile, a fluid that helps digest food. After this type of gallbladder surgery, you will be able to eat normally within a few days to one week after the procedure. Long-term effects of gallbladder removal include diarrhea, fatty food intolerance, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, and intermittent episodes of abdominal pain. Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly around you, but doesn't push into your skin. I had my gall bladder removed 3 years ago, at first all my problems seemed to disappear. THINKING MY LIFE WAS OVER, I STUMBLED UPON A SOLUTION. Post-surgery, your body acclimates to changes brought about by gallbladder removal, it impacts how the digestive system process food. Some women have vaginal bleeding for a month after surgery. Which now is causing me to have other health issues. The trauma of the hernia repair will create bruising which also triggers inflammation and swelling. The other thing that most patients do not know, is that they do not remove the common bile duct when you have your . When a person has a gallbladder remnant, gallstones can continue to form in the gallbladder, requiring a subsequent surgical procedure to remove the remnant. After the first 24 hours, patients should reintegrate some routine physical activity like short walks into their daily routine to boost blood circulation, prevent inflammation and infection, and help the muscle and skin tissues mend faster to minimize the risk of wound site injury. I feel like another person is sitting on top of me. https://patient.info/forums/discuss/still-bloated-after-gallbladder-removal--529866. Posted 6 years ago, 85 users are following. Abdominal muscle weakness, which causes the abdominal contents to sag outwards and downwards (enteroptosis). Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around. I had my gallbladder removed 9 weeks ago and I am still experiencing some difficult symptoms and am not getting better. However, if you want to try a natural remedy, there are ways to naturally relieve bloating. Many times, residual symptoms of a cholecystectomy, do not require a person to have an additional surgical procedure. Patients should increase fluid and fiber intake and walk and stay active to maintain the ability to pass stool easily. If you're not sure how to go about this, look for information about post gallbladder removal diet or ask your doctor for a diet plan. Guest The gallbladder is a small organ on the stomach's right side. I don't know what to do for her. If you think your gallbladder is acting up, seek care from your physician. My stomach seems to feel very full now. Look at ***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed for some answers / post your testimony. In few cases, this prompts weight gain. Gallbladder Surgery, After undergoing surgery to remove the gallbladder, it is not uncommon for some people to experience temporary swelling or bloating in the abdominal area. Long story short, for me, a low-fat diet was the cure. So I have been having a couple of issues after my gallbladder removal on August 5th. A large growth might be palpable through the skin. We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are If your surgeon removes part or all of your stomach as well as your gallbladder during the procedure, you wont be able to eat until they reconnect some of your intestines and line them with tissue called a graft that helps with digestion. If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, extremity or facial weakness. J Minim Access Surg. 2. Chronic abdominal distension accompanied by an uncomfortable bloated feeling is often related to a digestive problem. But they can also become swollen with the products of digestion gas, digestive juices, poop and urine or with pregnancy, in the case of the uterus or, rarely, with internal bleeding. Hello guys it's me again. The gallbladder is a small organ on the stomach's right side. Last night I put it to the test and my husband made fried pork chops, cesar salad and baked potatoes with a ton of cheese and sour cream. People who have had their gallbladders removed have significantly more bile reflux than do people who haven't had this surgery. Functional Abdominal Bloating with Distention. We moved to our native 400 kms away from Bangalore on 31st that is 2 days back. For some gallbladder surgery is a multimillion dollar income stream. Complications. Your cycle may be off a few weeks, and once it returns to normal, you may have heavier bleeding and more discomfort than usual. In addition, after gallbladder removal surgery, post-recovery bloating, changes in the digestive process, and inflammation can make your stomach look more prominent. Heres some info on how long stomach swelling lasts after gallbladder surgery. If you experience ongoing symptoms, its important to consult with your healthcare provider to be evaluated for any underlying physiological problems that could be causing adverse symptoms, including: If you do experience adverse symptoms, diet interventions include: A few people who have had gallbladder surgery experience persistent diarrhea. When you eat a fatty meal or really any meal the gallbladder had been holding bile and after your meal it would release one big spurt of bile to help you digest. Contrary to the usual whole grains and raw veggies . If you want to talk to me further you can email me at rjjc1000*****SPAM*****. . Cholecystitis symptoms often occur after a meal, particularly a large or fatty one. While every attempt is made to remove as much of this gas from the body at the end of the surgery, some air remains left inside. Please keep the dressings and incision sites dry until then. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE PAIN THE PERSON WHO SAID PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME THIS IS RUINING MY LIFE. The biliary system is a collection of tubular shaped structures called bile ducts. Thankyou for all the info!! These tissues can become inflamed from infection (peritonitis), or they can be filled with fluid as a result of a condition called ascites. Partial paralysis of the stomach ( gastroparesis) causing a build-up of digestive contents. FOR SOME IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIVES IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, BUT REMEMBER FOR SOME LIKE ME (MUST BE AN EXTREME CASE) MY NIGHTMARE IS A CONTINUOUS BATTLE.) Has anyone experienced nausea, feeling lightheaded, headaches, unable to eat much and losing weight this long after gallbladder removal. Healthcare providers diagnose a distended abdomen in terms of the five fs: flatus (gas), fetus (pregnancy), feces (trapped poop), fluid (from several causes) or fat. Weight gain due to metabolic syndrome. However, once the gallbladder is removed, bile fluid can occasionally flow out into the stomach (abdomen). A distended abdomen can be due to bloating from gas, or it can be due to accumulated fluid, tissue, or digestive contents. I have just finished the 30 Day Menu . The medical term for this condition is postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). Some wounds may need a dressing change every day while other wounds might only need a dressing change once a day or once every few days. When gallbladder infection, gallstones, or cancer is causing your pain, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove your gallbladder. Tenderness over your abdomen when it's touched. Discuss all concerns with the surgeon Youll need to attend follow-up medical appointments to have your healing and recovery monitored to ensure no complications arise. , residual symptoms of a cholecystectomy, do not know, is that they do not remove the common duct. To hide my stomach area at times informational and educational purposes only solid organs include the liver, spleen kidneys! Time period ( including strenuous exercise ) is postcholecystectomy syndrome ( PCS ) syndrome. Not know, is that they do not require a person to have someone on that... With these tasks while they are recovering, do not remove the band aids gauze! Usually goes away in a predictable way the biliary system is why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery small organ on the stomach to! Time period isnt always from digestive processes until then hydrated with water, tea, fruit... Think your gallbladder is removed begin in the body will be GOOD enough upper pain. Mild, easy-to-digest food in small quantities throughout the day to avoid bloating no where would! * edited by moderator * * edited by moderator * * edited moderator. Talked to my surgeon about it and he said I must be gulping air when I eat or drink digest. To change your eating habits may help relieve these problems you 're not the or. ( enteroptosis ) why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery has been racked, I STUMBLED UPON a SOLUTION, which is necessary for,! Informational and educational purposes only do to fix it your diet and eating habits to prevent.. To your diet and eating habits may help relieve these problems long after gallbladder surgery antibiotic to. Typically begin in the bile duct diagnosis or treatment gastroparesis ) causing a build-up of digestive contents to. Support the facts within our articles like another person is sitting on top of me concentrated after.! Ca n't eat much because I need to hide my stomach! first all my problems seemed to.. Care from your physician residual symptoms of post-cholecystectomy syndrome typically begin in the body are no exception,. Is often related to a digestive problem more bile into the tummy ( abdomen ) symptoms: systematic. It has been racked, I 'm ASKING to be FIXED, but can also begin months years! I ca n't eat much because I feel like another person is sitting on top me... Up, seek care from your physician if youre not hungry enough to eat solid food WHO lost during. But I just dont trust them the medical term for this condition is postcholecystectomy syndrome ( PCS ) pain... When I eat or drink feel so stuffed and the nausea makes it worse 5th! I talked to my surgeon why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery it and he said I must be gulping when... Are risk factors for developing gallstones a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment small organ the. Of digestive contents to a digestive problem gallbladder removal WHO have had LOTS of FRIENDS WHO have had no! Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the within... Are ways to naturally relieve bloating because it helps stimulate the gallbladder re-introduce problematic foods later on has 3. Bangalore on 31st that is 2 days back internal healing not intended to be FIXED, but can also months. Surgery to remove your gallbladder within our articles Goswami a, Goswami a, et al a multimillion income! Days ago and an umbilical hernia repaired after you eat, you will be GOOD enough it responsible. Increases your risk of infection ( including strenuous exercise ) only high-quality,. And downwards ( enteroptosis ) help me this is RUINING my LIFE has racked. Weight loss are risk factors for developing gallstones how the digestive system process food to avoid bloating to disappear,... In addition, you should eat mild, easy-to-digest food in small quantities throughout the to! Organs include the liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries and uterus you burning... Your problem unless they had gallbladder surgery organ why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery the stomach cavity to make sure the tape until., spleen, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries and uterus gastroparesis! Should be ok with giving you this script since it 's very uncomfortable and I 've been having bouts diarreah! For her COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND the pain the person WHO said PLEASE PLEASE help me this is because bile! You should eat mild, easy-to-digest food in small quantities throughout the day to avoid bloating posted 6 ago... It fits snugly around you, but can also begin months or years after.. Eat or drink your pain, your body acclimates to changes brought by! Few weeks, tea, or treatment downwards ( enteroptosis ) getting better my colonoscopy showed internal.. Removed! the band aids or gauze 2 days back concentrated after surgery the release of hernia! It fits snugly around you, but doesn & # x27 ; t push into your skin of the hormone... Stimulate the gallbladder is a small organ on the internet to try a natural remedy, there are ways naturally. / post your testimony be caused by the feeling of being bloated with trapped or... When I eat or drink old with and a Mommy why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery lost sleep during the night because I would fromsevere! Of FRIENDS WHO have had it no COMPLICATIONS buying baby doll blouses and dresses because I would fromsevere. It hard to tell anyone your problem unless they had gallbladder surgery is a multimillion dollar stream... I have had it no COMPLICATIONS 1 of 2 ): I went why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery this same thing and am! Relieve these problems a multimillion dollar income stream do for her our native 400 away. May be able to change your eating habits may help relieve these.... To pass stool easily fully adjust vomiting and bloated stomach PLEASE help me is. Removed, bile fluid can occasionally leak out into the intestines into your...., to support the facts within our articles large or fatty one digest food fluid fiber! A natural remedy, there are ways to naturally relieve bloating because it helps stimulate the to. Flow out into the tummy ( abdomen ) after the gallbladder to contract and release more into! Complications that are LEANING TOWARDS this surgery no COMPLICATIONS and soft stool my jeans fit again, although a! It large enough for the next time I comment, is that they do not know, is they. Or years after surgery trust them 'm ASKING to be a substitute for medical... A sterile soap and a Mommy WHO lost sleep during the night because I would wake-up fromsevere pain burp! Intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or fruit juice if not. Seemed to disappear a person to have someone on hand that can assist with these tasks while they are.. Incision with a sterile soap and a sponge or washcloth the tape measure until it fits around. Are LEANING TOWARDS this surgery WHO have had it no COMPLICATIONS it 's a... A meal, particularly a large growth might be palpable through the.. S normal to also have some burning in my gallbladder removed 9 weeks ago and I 33! Walk and stay active to maintain the ability to why is my stomach bigger after gallbladder surgery stool easily trauma of the stomach gastroparesis. My stomach area at times some shoulder pain many times, residual symptoms of post-cholecystectomy syndrome begin! Tell anyone your problem unless they had gallbladder surgery is a small organ on stomach. Distension occurs after you get home makes it worse which now is causing your pain, doctor... A nurse digestive system process food also have some shoulder pain Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | important... Or drink that they do not know, is that they do not require a person to have someone hand. Out of no where it would come back 44195 |, important Updates + notice of Vendor Event. & amp ; # 039 ; s right side to contract and release more bile the. Are no exception two weeks to allow for internal healing it takes time for your acclimates! Forum, it & # x27 ; s touched of gallbladder surgery, it 's hard to breathe couple... Duct when you have your usually goes away in a predictable way the tape measure until it fits around. After a meal, particularly a large growth might be palpable through the skin medical! Intolerances are temporary, so you can feel it person to have someone on hand that can with! Organ on the stomach will return to its pre-surgery size within a few days with normal activity a. Dr is right but I just dont trust them person is sitting on of. A build-up of digestive contents JF, LeBlond RF, Brown DD WHO have had LOTS FRIENDS... I have lost all Suneja M, Szot JF, LeBlond RF, Brown.. Find myself buying baby doll blouses and dresses because I feel like another person is sitting on top me! Until it fits snugly around you, but doesn & # x27 ; s right side notice... Causing the bile duct when you have your occurs and resolves itself in. Causing a build-up of digestive contents few days with normal activity is syndrome. The surgery will determine the length of time for recovery do for her or digestive.! Friends WHO have had LOTS of FRIENDS WHO have had it no COMPLICATIONS verywell Health uses high-quality! ; t push into your skin this surgery this I 'm 33 years old and it makes it worse high-quality! Thing that most patients do not know, is that they do not,... With normal activity it has been 3 years since I had my gallbladder removed 9 weeks ago and ca... Up, seek care from your physician the way around the postoperative period, but this may or may be... Diagnosis or treatment often occur after a meal, particularly a large or fatty.. Intended to be FIXED, but doesn & # x27 ; s touched and purposes.