Postcholecystectomy Syndrome

Topic Overview

Postcholecystectomy syndrome sometimes occurs when abdominal symptoms develop after surgery to remove the gallbladder(cholecystectomy). About 5% to 40% of people who have the gallbladder removed may experience symptoms.^{footnote 1}

Symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome may include:

• Upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting.
• Gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
• Persistent pain in the upper right abdomen.

Your doctor may be able to give you medicine to help with some of these symptoms.

If pain continues, you may have a problem caused by something other than the gallbladder or a gallstone. Other possible causes of abdominal pain include irritable bowel syndrome, stomach (peptic) ulcers, or pancreatitis.