Persistent symptoms after gallbladder removal

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi I've had gallbladder surgery for 1 year it seems that after I had my gallbladder removed I am still starting to have stomach problems. It seems that after I eat in like 5 minutes I after I eat I start having stomach pains like in the middle and then the pain goes all the way down to my lower abdomen and it hurts and I also get nauseous as well. It seems like after I eat certain meals I experience problems and I would like to know what that could be.

Dear Nadee: In some cases symptoms attributed to gallbladder disease continue even after the gallbladder has been removed. The likely reason for this is that the gallbladder was not the problem in the first place. Less often the symptoms persist despite removal of the gallbladder and no other cause can be found. It is unlikely that your symptoms now are related to surgery.There are several conditions which can explain your present symptoms, including peptic ulcer disease, chronic pancreatitis, and acid reflux disease. You will need to see your family physician so the he/she may examine you and determine the cause of your current problem.