Can Gallbladder Surgery Damage Your Vagus Nerve?

If you’ve had your gallbladder removed and still struggle with bloating—especially after drinking plain water—you might be facing a neurological issue, not a digestive one. This episode unpacks the anatomy of the vagus nerve and its small hepatic branches, explaining how they can be affected during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We explore the gap between what surgeons consider a "successful" surgery and what patients actually experience years later. Discover practical strategies for managing post-surgical bloating, from behavioral compensation to diaphragmatic breathing, and learn why the "water test" is a powerful signal that your stomach's accommodation reflex might be impaired.