Gall bladder removed with gastric bypass 12-yrs go, now having digestive problems

[My Bariatric Life 764]

Twelve years ago when I arrived at the hospital to have my gastric bypass, just before going into surgery, the bariatric surgeon suggests removing my gall bladder. Back then, I was not an empowered patient. So I just said, "OK" trusting that my surgeon new best. And now I am having a host of digestive issues, and wondering f the surgeon made a very stupid decision that day. After all, why remove my gall bladder when I wasn't having any gall bladder problems???

Here is a linked article about how to achieve optimal digestive health if your gall bladder is removed http://bodyecology.com/articles/is_your_gall_bladder_removed.php. I do not advocate any of the products listed. I am posting the link so folks can read about the role of the gall bladder in digestion and its vital role with the liver.

I have had to take many products to help relieve my severe digestive issues, issues which include Constipation, distention, bloating, gas, pain.

A gastroenterologist did upper and lower endoscopies and a CT scan. All of that is normal.

A naturopath/chiropractor has been doing energy work on me.

Despite all these efforts, my digestion is still not normal. It is much better than what it was... oh the constipation was awful... my husband said it sounded like I was delivering a baby... the pain was awful and I seem to have given myself a hernia trying to have a BM.

Has anyone had similar problems? I sure would like (love) to get this resolved.

Thanks for your help

[Cervidae 2,389]

There are actually a HUGE number of wls patients who develop gall bladder problems after surgery, and those problems are usually worse than a non-wls patient would have because of all the changes to our digestive system. Odds are, if you hadn't had your gall bladder taken out during surgery, you would be in a similar situation now, and/or had serious pain and problems not long after surgery anyway. There are some people who are lucky enough not to have these issues, but the chance is so high and experiences with this sort of thing so common that it makes sense to take the gall bladder during surgery.

I'm sorry you've had these problems. If the scans were all normal, are you sure it's a gall bladder issue? There are many things that can cause digestive problems in the average person, and even more things that can cause them in a wls patient. I hope you get it resolved soon.

[bugsy72 117]

My doctor said that 1 in 4 will have gall bladder issues, but since 3 in 4 won't, he doesn't take it out during surgery. I'm praying I'm not the "1" in 4!

[My Bariatric Life 764]

My doctor said that 1 in 4 will have gall bladder issues, but since 3 in 4 won't, he doesn't take it out during surgery. I'm praying I'm not the "1" in 4!

Makes sense!!!

[My Bariatric Life 764]

@@Cervidae I am working with a digestive orders gastroenterologist for months and he has not yet figured out why I am having the issues I am having. If it weren't for my naturopath as well as my own research with other patients, then I'd have had no relief whatsoever. I sure hope that this gets resolved because it has been going on since January.