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Original poster

Gallbladder removal

35 replies

Spotthedog91 · 15/02/2022 14:32

Wondering if anyone has any experience with gallstones. I've been having pain on and off for a few years now. I've ended up in hospital as the pain got so bad last night. Mostly I have daily pain that isn't intense but enough for me to pop pain killers. It's very up and down. I always have a bruised type feeling in my rib/back and then it intensifies sometimes. I also have pain that I can only describe as trapped wind.

My questions are.... Has anyone had to have their gallbladder removed even though they didn't have any stones lodged in a duct and no inflammation? My stones are "uncomplicated gallstones", so neither blocked nor inflamed etc. Just stones.

Also, how is life now since having your gallbladder removed? Any problems with digesting fat afterwards?

Thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
Spotthedog91 · 15/02/2022 16:20

Bump

OP posts:
bluecandicane · 15/02/2022 16:23

I got mine removed it had one big stone. Wasn't inflamed just caused pain. It's been gone over a year no more pain Just a different sort of pain if I have too much fat.

BringBackCoffeeCreams · 15/02/2022 16:24

I had it done. The flare ups get worse and worse over time and closer and closer together. But the time I had the op I was sometimes wondering how hard it'd be to do DIY it as the pain was so bad. The op was a doddle, fully recovered within days. I definitely recommend it for anyone having gallbladder problems. The sooner the better.

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General health
stackhead · 15/02/2022 16:26

Had mine out in December. Best thing ever. No issues with food now, and I've pushed it a bit since I had the gallbladder removed

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 15/02/2022 16:33

Mine's gone.

I find if I leave a long time between meals/eating I get 'the runs'.

I'm told this is because there's nowhere to store the digestive juices so they are dripping into the stomach continually. If they build up without food they can irritate the intestines.

I have frequent episodes of 'looseness' - I have to remember to eat smaller meals more frequently. Which I forget to do some days.

PAFMO · 15/02/2022 16:35

Almost everyone.
Gallbladders don't get better. Some people have low functioning gallbladders but no stones or sludge.
I'm deciding when to have mine done- prob this autumn. I have sludge.

Hospedia · 15/02/2022 16:37

Mine wasn't causing any problems, just stones but no real problems from it and the stones were only picked up during a routine scan for something else. GP referred me to the surgeon for his opinion on whether it could be left alone or if it needed action. The surgeon told me that it is entirely possible to have gallstones and be entirely unaware of it as they're stable however, at some undetermined point in the future, they will start to cause problems and it is better to have your gallbladder taken out as an elective surgery at a reasonably young age (I was mid-30s) and whilst it's not inflammed as that's a far easier procedure with a faster recovery than having it taken out as an emergency surgery in your 50s or 60s while it's inflammed

BigWoollyJumpers · 15/02/2022 16:44

I agree with hospedia. I never had continuous pain, just occassional bouts of horrendous sickness and pain, which I would get if I scoffed too much fatty food. I was diagnosed with multiple small stones, and my surgeon also recommended removal, as the longer you leave it, the higher the probability of a stone finding it's way into your ducts or worse into your pancreas, and then you are really in trouble.

I had mine removed 10 odd years ago, and have not had any issue with digestion since. I can eat anything and everything, and never have bowl issues. Mine was done keyhole, and my recovery was minimal.

narcdad · 15/02/2022 17:07

Had mine removed years ago, definitely the best decision I made, I had such bad attacks of acid that I'd vomit and thought I was having a heart attack.

Rosscameasdoody · 15/02/2022 17:12

I had mine removed some years ago due to multiple stones and eventually I had a blocked duct. Like a previous poster, I have to eat smaller meals frequently to avoid ending up with the runs and stomach upsets. I also find that I feel off if I eat too much fatty stuff.

Original poster
Spotthedog91 · 15/02/2022 19:06

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond to me.

@narcdad this sounds like the episode I had yesterday. My stomach felt like terrible trapped wind. Stabbing pain in my rib and it moved into my chest. Made my chest really tight. Is this similar to what you've experienced?

I've been misdiagnosed with acid reflux a few times which I'm now thinking is the gallstones. Did any of you feel like you had acid reflux type pain?

My surgery is booked in for next week. I'm really scared my pain won't go away as its another issue. Or that I'll be left with more digestive issues and still won't be able to enjoy a nice Chinese takeaway lol xx

OP posts:
Bouledeneige · 15/02/2022 19:10

I had mine removed after being in terrible agony when it got inflamed. The final attack I was sick 10 times over the weekend and felt like I was doing. As others have said the op was a doddle and I've had no problems since.

Hospedia · 15/02/2022 19:21

My surgery is booked in for next week. I'm really scared my pain won't go away as its another issue. Or that I'll be left with more digestive issues and still won't be able to enjoy a nice Chinese takeaway lol

After my op I was amazed at how many "back ache" and "sore rib" and "stiff shoulder" type pains had gone away, pains I hadn't even connected to my gallbladder but obviously were. I'm not saying it's a risk free surgery, no surgery is, but the overwhelming odds are that you will be fine afterwards. I was advised to have a very bland, low fat diet for the first two weeks, the sort of tummy-kind foods you'd have when ill as they're simply and easy to digest - toast, broth, poached chicken, rice and steamed veggies, etc - then gradually start reintroducing a normal diet over the following two weeks. I've had no problems with my digestion or bowel habits.

Grenlei · 15/02/2022 19:24

I've had a 3cm gallstone for at least 10 years. He behaves himself generally and is my conscience not to eat too much of the wrong things :) I have heard mixed reviews of gallbladder removal and so as I only have an attack probably once every 6 months I'm letting him stay put for now.

Rosscameasdoody · 15/02/2022 19:25

@Spotthedog91

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond to me.

@narcdad this sounds like the episode I had yesterday. My stomach felt like terrible trapped wind. Stabbing pain in my rib and it moved into my chest. Made my chest really tight. Is this similar to what you've experienced?

I've been misdiagnosed with acid reflux a few times which I'm now thinking is the gallstones. Did any of you feel like you had acid reflux type pain?

My surgery is booked in for next week. I'm really scared my pain won't go away as its another issue. Or that I'll be left with more digestive issues and still won't be able to enjoy a nice Chinese takeaway lol xx

The attack which got me admitted to hospital for surgery involved unrelenting sharp pain under my ribs, I was sick to my stomach and had a high temperature. It’s natural to be scared but the surgery is quite straightforward - I couldn’t have keyhole surgery and even open surgery wasn’t too bad as regards post op pain. Once your gall bladder is gone, the associated pain will be too. You may find that you have to be careful with your diet - I have to eat a little and often to avoid stomach upsets and avoid too much fat in my diet. Apart from that it’s fine.
narcdad · 15/02/2022 19:36

@Spotthedog91 yes very tight pain in the chest, burning acid type pain, felt like I needed to pass wind but extreme - like I'd blow the house down 🤣

I also was diagnosed with acid reflux and GERD.

Can honestly say the surgery was the least painless and simple op I've ever had. Most of my symptoms have gone and I have never had another attack.

DaisyDreaming · 15/02/2022 19:38

Mine was removed due to infection rather than stones. I had some short term complications but 2 weeks later I was home and tested out whether I could cope with fat by having a full portion of fish and chips! No issues at all :)

Original poster
Spotthedog91 · 15/02/2022 20:05

@narcdad has your reflux and gerd symptoms gone away since your op?

This is the pain I get most frequently and am scared it's not related to the gallstones so will remain.

My stones aren't blocked, but I have a constant bruised/achey feeling in my rib and back that very rarely goes away x

OP posts:
narcdad · 15/02/2022 20:17

@Spotthedog91 yes they did go away, not completely but improved so much. I was careful after the op to eat smaller amounts and gradually I got to the point o can eat anything and not have pain.

I've also IBS so also get bloating etc but would 💯 recommend the operation. I couldn't get eat certain foods such as mince, sausage, tomatoes even a salad would make me feel ill, now Ivan eat it all and not be in any pain

Buildingthefuture · 15/02/2022 20:18

I had mine out at 26. Drs had missed it for years (since i was about 14!) because I was young and not over weight. I’d had years of periodic horrendous, literally crippling pain (but with months in between episodes) but when I had it, it was bad.
I’ve been totally fine since I had it removed. I can eat a Chinese takeaway with no problems Smile but I do try to eat a healthy diet (because, health) and have never had an episode since, (I’m 43 now) which is a massive relief. The only thing which gives me trouble is eating chip shop Fish and Chips…I can only eat those at home because (tmi) they go straight through me! It’s the fat I think, but I can and do eat literally everything else.

Original poster
Spotthedog91 · 15/02/2022 21:34

Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to respond to me. Its made me feel a lot better xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Spotthedog91 · 22/02/2022 15:54

Hi everyone. I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. Pain from surgery wise I feel well.. Not much pain. Just got pains in my kneck and shoulder from the gas they pump into your stomach during surgery.

However.. I've still got pain where my gallbladder was and also the usual burning in my shoulder blades. I'm terrified the pain I haven't hasn't been solved by surgery... Did anyone else have these same worries after? I'm hoping its just wear that area of my body is sore from the surgery xx

OP posts:
FleshLiabilities · 22/02/2022 16:35

I can't remember exactly as its a while since I had mine removed, but I think I had some site specific pain for a week or so. I was on some fairly hefty painkillers for two weeks after the op. No more pain since then though.

Original poster
Spotthedog91 · 23/02/2022 07:05

Thank you @fleshliabilities. I'm glad you've had no further problems. I feel better today, but jheez my kneck and upper back feel like I've done a round with Mike Tyson. Sore touch. Can only think it's where I had the tubes down my throat.

Does anyone else have any post-op experiences to share?

OP posts:
Hospedia · 23/02/2022 10:00

Stuff that worked for me during recovery:

  • eating as bland a diet as possible to begin with
  • plenty of water and a sachet of fibrogel each day (you don't not want to be constipated with abdominal wounds)
  • sleeping propped up for around the first week because lying on my side hurt the wounds
  • wearing only my pyjamas for around a week because IME when people see you in clothes they presume you're recovered
  • lifting nothing heavier than the kettle
  • take your painkillers by the clock for at least the first week, it's better to keep the pain levels down by taking the painkillers on a 4hr schedule than allow the pain to build to a point where you need the painkillers and have to try get back on top of it
  • basically full-on milking the opportunity for a rest and recharge with "I had surgery" as my excuse. I downloaded books I'd been wanting to read, binged Netflix, did no cooking or cleaning.