How common is it?
Studies suggest 10 to 40 percent of people who have gallbladder removal experience PCS. That’s a huge range, but even on the low end, it’s not rare.
What does it feel like?
Imagine the same upper-right-quadrant pain you had before surgery. Or chronic diarrhea that comes on within minutes of eating. Some people describe it as “my gallbladder attacks returned, but I don’t even have a gallbladder anymore.”
2. Chronic Diarrhea and Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM)
This one is more common than most surgeons admit.
When bile drips constantly into your colon instead of being released in controlled amounts, it can irritate the lining of your large intestine. The result? Watery, urgent diarrhea that strikes after meals—especially fatty meals.
Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) happens when your colon can’t reabsorb all that excess bile. Instead, it acts as a laxative. You might find yourself sprinting to the bathroom within 30 to 90 minutes of eating.