can gallstones return?

[DianeS]

I know this is not a medical board, but I'm curious. A friend has had her gallbladder removed, but she says she is having symptoms with pain, etc similar to what she had before her gallbladder was removed. Does anybody know if gallstones can come back? Can they maybe lodge in the bile ducts? I don't specialize in GI, so I'm curious.

Thanks

[mandana]

Yet, ironically gallbladder, appendicular, and tonsicular cancers have some notably high death rates, are generally difficult to treat.

And having had an appendix rupture, I say good riddance to a poorly designed piece of me. Seriously, man knows no pain quite like that.

If either of my children have an incision anywhere in the abdomen, ever, the appendix is coming out even if it's a precious little intact and not-even-a-little-bit inflamed.

Amanda

[bethin]

I had my gallbladder out in 2000. I felt great for a year and then BOOM! It felt like I was having an attack but much much worse. Went to the dr. and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I don't think one caused the other but I will always wonder.

I remember vagualy (sp) reading that it depends on the kind of surgery you have if you will have problems later. If they just remove the gallbladder but leave the ducts, then yes you can have problems.

For a brief year I was healthy and pain free, and now.....

[bethin]

So I'm not crazy...I had my gallbladder out in 1991. I was 13 when I had it taken out. I have had various GI problems since having it out. About 5 years ago I started getting that 'pain' back every once in awhile. I have actually said to people 'If I didn't already have my gallbladder out I would think that I was having a gallbladder attack.' Next time the pain returns I will see my doctor.

Definitely see your doctor. Could be a duct problem.

Hurts like a b*%ch doesn't it?