posted 09-24-2002 02:15 PM            

My father is 70 and just had his gall bladder removed. Other than this he is in perfect health.

He still seems to have those awful crampy attacks after he eats. Is this normal???

I thought after the gall bladder was removed that he would not have any cramps.

We can't seem to get his doctor to return our calls.

any help would be great!

posted 09-27-2002 02:24 PM            

Would you suggest he go back to the doctor? Thank you.

posted 09-27-2002 06:08 PM            

I had my gallbladder removed a little over four years ago and I swear it grew back! Just kidding, but on and off I get the same achiness, irritated feeling I did before I had the surgery. Unlike most people, I never had a so called "gallbladder attack". I just had constant pain under my right rib. I had a diagnosis of a non-functioning gallbladder. It would not empty and that's what was causing the pain.

I went back to my surgeon about three months later complaining of the same pain as before. She assured me that there was nothing else going on inside of my body but did put me through a series of tests just to put my mind at ease. I had another ultrasound; upper GI; and a barium enema. All came back normal with just some slight diverticulosis of the colon. My doctor told me that sometimes even after having the gallbladder taken out, digesting fats can be troublesome and hence the pain is back because you don't have a gallbladder to help with digestion. Your liver takes over that job. She also said that occasionally a stone will still form in the duct that will eventually pass.

My pain is not constant but I've noticed that if I eat anything with mayo or peanuts; anything fatty fried; I will develop that achiness once again. I'm feeling good now, but a few days ago I got into the salted mixed nuts and paid for it dearly over the last day. No more nuts for me!