Question:
Is this my Gallbladder?

I am 10 months post-op and -117 and I am having this bloating pain on and off under my ribs. I thought it was gas, but now I am rethinking this. Looking back this has happened @10 times in the lkast 6 months. This pain, bloating has happened 4 times in the last 3 days. I am taking Acti-gal, but haven't in the past, (Stupid, I know) I was affraid it was interfearing with weight loss. I called my PCP and have appt. Monday. Can anything be done to ease the pain, symptoms? Has anyone had their GB removed After surgery? Did it make Bm's worse? Thanks for your help!!!!!! P.S. Don't yell at me too much for not taking meds, I am HUMAN ;0)    — Jody Diou (posted on June 28, 2002)

June 28, 2002
Hi Jody... I promise I won't yell :-)... First I want to congratulate you on your weight loss... I am almost 3 years post op Open RNY with gallbladder removal... I remember the problems I used to have... The pain started right under my bra line in the center of my chest and would radiate around to my right side... this mostly occured at night when I was trying to go to sleep... I never knew what type of food would activate it... (maybe keep a food diary until your doctor visit-it may help with the diagnosis)... I was never a big fan of hot and spicy... I used to eat crystalized ginger or applesauce to calm it down a bit enough to sleep... Sometimes I was up for hours... The mystery was solved at a pre op ultrasound... there I was told that I had gallstones so big that if they got loose and landed in my bile duct I would have to had to have emergency surgery... so when I had the RNY they took the gallbladder out... My BMs are just fine... bye bye pain (and size 26s)... hello healthier life (and size 14s)... Good Luck... Hope this helps you...
   — California J.

June 28, 2002
I had my gall bladder removed 11 years ago and it has taken years for my body to adjust. For months, I had to go to the restroom even after a drink of water. It does get better over time, but you will always have certain foods that will trigger diahrreah. For years, I couldn't eat salads, eggs, Mcdonalds foods, and several other things without having instant diahrreah. This does get better. It doesn't take long to realize what your trigger foods are. Be patient, it will be o.k.
   — Gina E.