Gastritis and Diarrhea After Gallbladder Surgery

Hi Bill,

Welcome to Healing Well! Glad you've joined us. Sorry to hear you're struggling!

It sounds as if you're getting dumping syndrome, which is very common post-gallbladder surgery. It is a fairly common side effect of stomach surgery as well as gallbladder removal. At five months post-op, you are still in the healing process. Most all surgeries take a year for full healing. I had a Nissen fundoplication surgery, and some dumping as well. Sometime during the second year post-op the dumping problem resolved, although I expected I'd have it forever.

Here's a link with information about dumping syndrome:
gdumping.blogspot.com/

Did your GI doctor provide you with advice regarding the dumping issues you're having? Here is a diet that will help avoid the dumping. There are also medications that your doctor can give you (not PPIs) to help with the dumping, if it doesn't improve in the next few months. Have patience! I know it's hard.
Anti-Dumping Diet:
gicare.com/diets/anti-dumping-post-gastrectomy-diet/

The gastritis is another issue. If the PPIs help, then it's acid that is causing at least some of your trouble. If the PPIs don't help, then it's likely that bile is the problem, and PPIs aren't going to help, as they have no effect on bile.

There is a drug that is very helpful with gastritis, and in fact is quite often prescribed to help with bile irritation (since PPIs don't work for it). It's called Carafate or Sulcrafate (generic). I have a reactive stomach, which often gives me trouble, and I always have the liquid form (Carafate suspension) on hand to help. I coats your stomach, and the coating lasts about 6 hours, according to my GI doctor.

I do think when your stomach is irritated and you're having gastritis, it makes the dumping more likely. At least found that to be the case. Be sure to stay away from spice, acidic foods, and alcohol while your stomach lining is irritated. Also, be sure to chew your food completely, so it's smooth when it enters the stomach. Stay away from any rough foods that can't be chewed to a creamy consistency. Your stomach mashes food as part of the digestion process, and when there are rough things in there, it further irritates your stomach lining.

I would suggest that you see your GI doctor again if these problems persist past a year. As I said, my dumping issues continued into the second year, but if you get past the year mark and you're still struggling, your GI should be aware of your problems. He/she should be able to help you. As I said there are medications available to help.

You might want to ask your GI office about Carafate. It might provide you with some relief...it definitely helps me a lot! I hope you get feeling better soon!
Again, glad you've joined the forum!
Very best wishes,
Denise

Hi Bill,

Yes, the grumbling stomach goes along with the dumping. I always knew when I was going to have a dumping episode because it started with that loud grumble. It can be so loud it is heard across the room! I've had people offer me snacks, thinking I was starving and my stomach was asking to be fed!

I can still get an occasional dumping episode. They are extremely rare, though. I had the Nissen fundoplication done, and there's a barrier that is constructed to back up the valve that is supposed to keep the food (acid) in the stomach. When I eat too much of something that has trouble getting through the wrap or is scratchy, and it irritates the wrap (which is constructed out of my stomach), I can get my stomach going and end up with an episode. It happens maybe once a year.

By the way, from what I've read as I researched the topic, PPIs are helpful with dumping because they help slow down the digestion process and can keep food in the stomach longer.

If I was a betting woman, I'd guess that you're having bile in your stomach, and that's what is causing your gastritis. Check out this link:
www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeid=134&Contentid=156

If you read through this question and answer thread, you'll find more information:
/www.healthtap.com/topics/bile-gastritis-after-gallbladder-removal

Your healing will require a lot of patience and trust. If you know what's going on, it can help you deal with it and avoid stressing over it all. It's possible that your bile/gastritis issues will resolve as you heal, and if you have continued problems with it, there are medical interventions that can help.

Hang in there! You can do this!
Happy healing,
Denise

Glad to help, Bill! Good luck!