Hello All,

On Friday I had my 1 year post op appointment at Weight Management. Last time I was there was for my 6 month visit. Between the 6 month and the 1 year visit, I started noticing upper abdominal bloating (usually in the morning I notice after 1st waking up it doesn't look of feel too bad but it still seems like its still there but by the end of the day, I feel and look like I am 6 months pregnant.) some tenderness and occasional pain in the upper right abdomen from the middle area up into the ribs and side sometimes back. Also occasional nausea but I attributed to dumping syndrome. I told the Nurse Practitioner about it and the first thing she asked me was if I still had my gallbladder. I told her yes that I was the only adult (at almost 40) in my family that still had theirs. (Back about 10 years ago I was having pain in that area but labs, ultrasound and hida scan all came back normal.)

So the Nurse Practitioner ordered my yearly labs, also is wanting a ultrasound and possible hida scan. She said if those came back normal the Dr will most likely want to do a EDG and possibly a colonoscopy. I was just wondering if anyone else here on the board had this issue in the past or currently dealing with it and what the outcome of it was?

that doesn't sound like dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome happens within an hour or two after you eat and involves sweating or chills, heart palpitations, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea.

if not gall bladder, it could be constipation or slow motility, I suppose - which is probably why they're ordering a colonoscopy. It's kind of hard to say until they get in there to have a look. Keep us posted.

I agree with Catwoman about it possibly being constipation. How long has this been occurring, does it go away later in the day, do you have your ovaries/uterus? Is it point tender (hurt to palpate area) or just generally tender as you said? Do you have a fever to go along with nausea? I personally would lean towards appendix with the symptoms you describe, but 6 months of you noticing this seems excessive. Perhaps its in the process of going bad? How have your bowel movements been? Do you eat a high fiber diet (gas producing)? Do you eat the same things, is your diet varied?

Gallbladder issues don't normally present with abdominal swelling, nor appendix issues. I've had both removed. The appendix was horrible; started out like the flu, but constant vomiting towards the end 3 days later. I'd throw up, lay back then throw up again ..over and over - found out I'd waited to long and it was close to rupturing and gallbladder is usually (as you know since you said you used to have gallbladder associated pain) is sharp jabbing pain - still usually no swelling.

I too am curious, let us know what the doctors find!

1 hour ago, BlondePatriotInCDA said:

I really 1st started noticing it the Middle part of January. I thought it was because my obgyn suggested i switch to a woman's health probiotic from the philips colon health probiotic that Weight Management had me on. I switched back to Philips Colon Health 2 weeks ago. The bloating isn't as bad as it was with the Woman's Health Probiotic but its still there. The extra gas/farting went back to normal too once I was off the Woman's Health one. But its still as rancid as it was before I did the switch lol. I started noticing the tenderness in the upper right abdomen shortly after starting the Woman's Probiotic Its tender when I palpate the area and then sometimes just sitting there I can feel it too. The bloating seemed like it started around the holidays. It wasnt until January that the bloat makes me look about 6 months pregnant. I do follow my diet plan too 4-5 ozs of protein at meals up to 1/2 cup of veggies and a tblsp or 2 of startch. I am getting my 64+ oz of fluid in a day as well. Bloating seems to stick around through the day. By the end of the day I look 6 months pregnant my husband was the one that pointed it out when I first started complaining about the bloating. I have started eating a few pretzels, crackers baked chips again maybe three times a week with a meal or with a snack. I mentioned that to the dietician and Nurse Practitioner and they didnt say anything on that. No uterus. Hysterectomy was done 4/2022 only have my ovaries and I have had ovarian cysts and fibriods in the past and it doesn't feel like that pain. No fever with the nausea when it hits. Nausea only seems to happen if I eat peanut butter something to sweet or something that my stomach didnt agree with. And it usually starts about 20-30 min after eating and lasts about 45 min to a hr. I also sometimes feel the pain when that happens as well.

I agree with Catwoman about it possibly being Constipation. How long has this been occurring, does it go away later in the day, do you have your ovaries/uterus? Is it point tender (hurt to palpate area) or just generally tender as you said? Do you have a fever to go along with nausea? I personally would lean towards appendix with the symptoms you describe, but 6 months of you noticing this seems excessive. Perhaps its in the process of going bad? How have your bowel movements been? Do you eat a high Fiber diet (gas producing)? Do you eat the same things, is your diet varied?

Gallbladder issues don't normally present with abdominal swelling, nor appendix issues. I've had both removed. The appendix was horrible; started out like the flu, but constant vomiting towards the end 3 days later. I'd throw up, lay back then throw up again ..over and over - found out I'd waited to long and it was close to rupturing and gallbladder is usually (as you know since you said you used to have gallbladder associated pain) is sharp jabbing pain - still usually no swelling.

I too am curious, let us know what the doctors find!

1 minute ago, mom2afbcrb said:

Im not sure if I replied correctly,

I sill havent figured the forum out lol

I really 1st started noticing it the Middle part of January. I thought it was because my obgyn suggested i switch to a woman's health probiotic from the philips colon health probiotic that Weight Management had me on. I switched back to Philips Colon Health 2 weeks ago. The bloating isn't as bad as it was with the Woman's Health Probiotic but its still there. The extra gas/farting went back to normal too once I was off the Woman's Health one. But its still as rancid as it was before I did the switch lol. I started noticing the tenderness in the upper right abdomen shortly after starting the Woman's Probiotic Its tender when I palpate the area and then sometimes just sitting there I can feel it too. The bloating seemed like it started around the holidays. It wasnt until January that the bloat makes me look about 6 months pregnant. I do follow my diet plan too 4-5 ozs of protein at meals up to 1/2 cup of veggies and a tblsp or 2 of startch. I am getting my 64+ oz of fluid in a day as well. Bloating seems to stick around through the day. By the end of the day I look 6 months pregnant my husband was the one that pointed it out when I first started complaining about the bloating. I have started eating a few pretzels, crackers baked chips again maybe three times a week with a meal or with a snack. I mentioned that to the dietician and Nurse Practitioner and they didnt say anything on that. No uterus. Hysterectomy was done 4/2022 only have my ovaries and I have had ovarian cysts and fibriods in the past and it doesn't feel like that pain. No fever with the nausea when it hits. Nausea only seems to happen if I eat peanut butter something to sweet or something that my stomach didnt agree with. And it usually starts about 20-30 min after eating and lasts about 45 min to a hr. I also sometimes feel the pain when that happens as well.

1 hour ago, BlondePatriotInCDA said:

I really 1st started noticing it the Middle part of January. I thought it was because my obgyn suggested i switch to a woman's health probiotic from the philips colon health probiotic that Weight Management had me on. I switched back to Philips Colon Health 2 weeks ago. The bloating isn't as bad as it was with the Woman's Health Probiotic but its still there. The extra gas/farting went back to normal too once I was off the Woman's Health one. But its still as rancid as it was before I did the switch lol. I started noticing the tenderness in the upper right abdomen shortly after starting the Woman's Probiotic Its tender when I palpate the area and then sometimes just sitting there I can feel it too. The bloating seemed like it started around the holidays. It wasnt until January that the bloat makes me look about 6 months pregnant. I do follow my diet plan too 4-5 ozs of protein at meals up to 1/2 cup of veggies and a tblsp or 2 of startch. I am getting my 64+ oz of fluid in a day as well. Bloating seems to stick around through the day. By the end of the day I look 6 months pregnant my husband was the one that pointed it out when I first started complaining about the bloating. I have started eating a few pretzels, crackers baked chips again maybe three times a week with a meal or with a snack. I mentioned that to the dietician and Nurse Practitioner and they didnt say anything on that. No uterus. Hysterectomy was done 4/2022 only have my ovaries and I have had ovarian cysts and fibriods in the past and it doesn't feel like that pain. No fever with the nausea when it hits. Nausea only seems to happen if I eat peanut butter something to sweet or something that my stomach didnt agree with. And it usually starts about 20-30 min after eating and lasts about 45 min to a hr. I also sometimes feel the pain when that happens as well.

I agree with Catwoman about it possibly being Constipation. How long has this been occurring, does it go away later in the day, do you have your ovaries/uterus? Is it point tender (hurt to palpate area) or just generally tender as you said? Do you have a fever to go along with nausea? I personally would lean towards appendix with the symptoms you describe, but 6 months of you noticing this seems excessive. Perhaps its in the process of going bad? How have your bowel movements been? Do you eat a high Fiber diet (gas producing)? Do you eat the same things, is your diet varied?

Gallbladder issues don't normally present with abdominal swelling, nor appendix issues. I've had both removed. The appendix was horrible; started out like the flu, but constant vomiting towards the end 3 days later. I'd throw up, lay back then throw up again ..over and over - found out I'd waited to long and it was close to rupturing and gallbladder is usually (as you know since you said you used to have gallbladder associated pain) is sharp jabbing pain - still usually no swelling.

I too am curious, let us know what the doctors find!

59 minutes ago, mom2afbcrb said:

You've stumped me. The other options would be an intestinal obstruction or maybe a peptic ulcer? Although, with some diminished signs and symptoms after changing your probiotics - which can cause gas build up etc.. Did this all start when you started originally taking these?

Good luck, let us know when you see the specialists and that you're okay!

On 02/19/2024 at 12:54, BlondePatriotInCDA said:

You've stumped me. The other options would be an intestinal obstruction or maybe a peptic ulcer? Although, with some diminished signs and symptoms after changing your Probiotics - which can cause gas build up etc.. Did this all start when you started originally taking these?

Good luck, let us know when you see the specialists and that you're okay!

I really started noticing some bloating around middle part of October, which was after my appointment I had in September. I figured it was diet and I cut out the cucumbers and it took it down some of the bloat but not all the way. Then the tenderness started shortly after starting the Woman’s Probiotic. At first I thought since I increased my strength training at the gym at the same time that I was just sore and it would go away. Since then it just seems like it’s gotten a little more tender. I’m stumped too. The Nurse Practitioner wants to put it on gallbladder but I have a feeling it will get the same results as I had 10 yrs ago when I did the ultrasound and hida scan on it. I understand they have to go up the ladder on the testing to rule things out too. It’s just frustrating. I do know if the pain gets worse or new symptoms pop up to call weight management or go to the ER. I have been having soft formed peanut butter colored bowel movements and still do the 2 colace daily and the miralax once daily. If not I slow down and it turns into the kind of bowel movement the first one after surgery was aka what I call horse size poop. I don’t know if that helps with anything or not. ??‍♀️

I would be going to your doctor or the ER

On 2/19/2024 at 2:21 PM, mom2afbcrb said:

I really started noticing some bloating around middle part of October, which was after my appointment I had in September. I figured it was diet and I cut out the cucumbers and it took it down some of the bloat but not all the way. Then the tenderness started shortly after starting the Woman’s Probiotic. At first I thought since I increased my strength training at the gym at the same time that I was just sore and it would go away. Since then it just seems like it’s gotten a little more tender. I’m stumped too. The Nurse Practitioner wants to put it on gallbladder but I have a feeling it will get the same results as I had 10 yrs ago when I did the ultrasound and hida scan on it. I understand they have to go up the ladder on the testing to rule things out too. It’s just frustrating. I do know if the pain gets worse or new symptoms pop up to call weight management or go to the ER. I have been having soft formed Peanut Butter colored bowel movements and still do the 2 colace daily and the Miralax once daily. If not I slow down and it turns into the kind of bowel movement the first one after surgery was aka what I call horse size poop. I don’t know if that helps with anything or not. ??‍♀️

Bowel movements the color you describe is usually do to fat malabsorption. That wouldn't be unusual since you had the Bypass and that causes some malabsorption. It is good they are doing a HIDA scan and ultrasound, as nausea with things like peanut butter could indicate you are having issues digesting fat. Some people get that when their gallbladder starts to misbehave.

I have never had bloating that distends the belly like that, so I can't relate, but I have had about 6 colonoscopies for other things so if they go that route don't worry, you'll take a nap and it'll be all over. LOL The prep is definitely worse than the test.

I hope they figure out what is going on! Some people develop SIBO after bariatric surgery and that can cause a lot of bloating, so if their tests don't show anything you may want to chat with a Gastro doc about that possibility!

14 minutes ago, ChunkCat said:

Bowel movements the color you describe is usually do to fat malabsorption. That wouldn't be unusual since you had the Bypass and that causes some malabsorption. It is good they are doing a HIDA scan and ultrasound, as nausea with things like Peanut Butter could indicate you are having issues digesting fat. Some people get that when their gallbladder starts to misbehave.

I have never had bloating that distends the belly like that, so I can't relate, but I have had about 6 colonoscopies for other things so if they go that route don't worry, you'll take a nap and it'll be all over. LOL The prep is definitely worse than the test.

I hope they figure out what is going on! Some people develop SIBO after bariatric surgery and that can cause a lot of bloating, so if their tests don't show anything you may want to chat with a Gastro doc about that possibility!

I too thought about SIBO, most symptoms fall in line except the point tenderness., but everyone is different so good call to mention it!

On 02/20/2024 at 23:36, ChunkCat said:

Bowel movements the color you describe is usually do to fat malabsorption. That wouldn't be unusual since you had the Bypass and that causes some malabsorption. It is good they are doing a HIDA scan and ultrasound, as nausea with things like Peanut Butter could indicate you are having issues digesting fat. Some people get that when their gallbladder starts to misbehave.

I have never had bloating that distends the belly like that, so I can't relate, but I have had about 6 colonoscopies for other things so if they go that route don't worry, you'll take a nap and it'll be all over. LOL The prep is definitely worse than the test.

I hope they figure out what is going on! Some people develop SIBO after bariatric surgery and that can cause a lot of bloating, so if their tests don't show anything you may want to chat with a Gastro doc about that possibility!

I wasn’t think about SIBO. Thank You! I will ask about that if the tests don’t show anything. It’s all in the upper area of the abdomen too with the bloating. I have never had a colonoscopy but did have the egd. I heard the prep is a nightmare.