Dear Dr. Roach: Have you ever heard of a gallbladder being stuck to the intestines? Thats what the surgeon found when I went to have mine removed. Two days later, I went home with my gallbladder still in. I am worried about what might happen if I need it removed one day. The surgeon stated that it could be complicated. M.P.
Answer: Its called an adhesion when different parts of the abdominal contents stick to one another, and adhesions can come from previous surgery, occasionally from birth, or in your case, possibly from an attack of acute cholecystitis, an inflamed gallbladder, usually due to a stone.
Adhesions do make the surgery more difficult, but I am a little surprised the surgeon decided against surgery entirely. The adhesions arent going to get better, and operating on the gallbladder when things are quiet is generally best. The surgeon needs to painstakingly remove the adhesions, taking great care not to damage either the intestines or the gallbladder.
Dear Dr. Roach: Can you explain the purpose of taking fiber pills? Ive heard some say theyre to relieve diarrhea, and others that they help with constipation. J.K.
Answer: Fiber supplements help with both diarrhea and constipation. Fiber is not absorbable in our guts, so the fiber will pass through the gastrointestinal tract, taking fluid with it which helps people with diarrhea to have less-watery stools. The increased bulk and water of the stool helps people with constipation, so fiber is a safe, first-line treatment for both mild diarrhea and constipation.
Fiber supplements have been thought to reduce cancer risk, but studies have shown that foods high in fiber are associated with lower cancer risk, while supplements are not. I recommend high-fiber foods as part of an overall healthy diet, but fiber supplements only for treatment of bowel symptoms.
Fiber supplements should always be taken with adequate water.
