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Original poster

Gall Bladder removal - pls help me decide

98 replies

Tupperwarefan · 23/05/2023 18:00

Hi
I started having gall bladder problems shortly after the birth of my little girl 10 years ago. I had the most intense pain, about 5 times over 2 years and then the severe pain subsided. But, over the remaining years, I have had periods of what can only be described as soreness and a feeling of being bruised, where my gall bladder is.

Fast forward to recent months, after a few weeks of what I thought was gastritis thanks to a stressful time at work, I have had 4 attacks of severe pain, over a period of 5 weeks. I've had a scan and my gallstones have multiplied and I have been recommended that I have my gall bladder out.
The problem is I am so scared! I'm not afraid of the op, but I am afraid of long term life after. I have read about post gall bladder removal syndrome and how it can cause D&V decades later. I have read about Sphincter of Oddi, terrible gastritis, uncontrollable weight gain and many other awful symptoms. Some people wish they had never had it done. I have also read about faecal incontinence (although rare).

I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. The surgeon didn't really put my mind at rest about these things and I am very, very nervous.

Can anyone who has been through this (maybe a long time ago?) please help to reassure me? I am on a v low fat diet, am losing weight that I can't afford to lose, and am so miserable. Thank you

OP posts:
EvelynBeatrice · 23/05/2023 20:02

It's the most commonly done surgery in the western world - so surgeons very experienced at it. I have had it as have five friends - no one has any issues

MarsDestroyerOfWorlds · 23/05/2023 20:03

I had mine out 10 years ago. Other than needing to go to the loo quite urgently about half an hour after I eat bacon or extremely fatty foods, I have no other symptoms at all. Best thing I ever did.

Blackcatsalwaysrock · 23/05/2023 20:07

Mine was an absolute walk in the park, honestly. No after effects whatsoever. And FWIW, I was over 60 when I had it done. Go for it

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General health
Pericombobulations · 23/05/2023 20:10

I had mine removed 8 years ago and have not regretted it once. My surgeon was quite clear before hand that he would rather take gall bladders out before it becomes an emergency op. I was in and out in a day and whilst it took a longer while to recover I have MS which definitely complicated things. I did enjoy Christmas Day which was 4 days post op.

My mum had to have hers removed as an emergency and she was over a week in hospital. She does have issues but I suspect its linked to her diverticulitis than her gall bladder removal.

I like you read all the horror stories of the possible problems afterwards, but I figured that most people had little to no lasting effects just got on with their lives and the ones who post would be tiny percentage who were not so lucky. As you are already suffering, it will definitely get worse if you do nothing. It is more likely to be better after surgery.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 23/05/2023 20:13

Do it, do it, do it. And seriously DO IT!

I have never in my life felt the level of pain I felt when my gallbladder decided to finally give up the ghost. Pain that was slightly dulled by codeine and oramorph but didn't actually go away.

Having it out was easy, a bit sore for a few days after but nothing since and I can eat without being up all night in pain.

AnnaMagnani · 23/05/2023 20:23

I have Sphincter of Oddi following my gallbladder op. It affects my day to day life not in the slightest.

Am so so happy I had my gallbladder out and honestly, having to avoid codeine is a very minor inconvenience in comparison to the horrific pain and the gloom of the fat free diet.

ILoveMyBedTooMuch · 23/05/2023 20:24

Gall bladder pain was the worst pain I have ever had in my life. A planned surgery has to be better than risking an emergency procedure?

Yes there many be complications afterwards. Many are fine afterwards but there is a % who may get Bile Acid Malabsorption afterwards. This is becoming more recognised now, diagnosed and treated. I got my gall bladder out in 1984 and have always had issues since then. I was diagnosed with BAM 2 years ago and am now on meds that help. I believe the % is small eg 10%.

Original poster
Tupperwarefan · 23/05/2023 20:25

Thanks so much for all of the experience and encouragement. It has really helped me and I feel much more positive.

OP posts:
LadyMary50 · 23/05/2023 20:28

I had my gall bladder removed 5 years ago and it was such a relief after suffering the most agonizing pain I have ever experienced.I recovered very quickly.The only side effect now is that I am gluten intolerant,but I can happily deal with that.I have no regrets at all…

Cheshiremamalife · 23/05/2023 20:30

I had mine removed when my first baby was one. Suffered with pain for years but was always misdiagnosed as I was considered too young to have gall stones. Turns out it was hereditary. Anyway, pregnancy hormones made it lots worse and the pain was unbearable at times. I was in and out of hospital until I made it to the top of the waiting list! Best thing I ever did, never had a symptom since and no side effects that I've noticed. That was 11 years ago... Recovery was quick too! I was back at work after 2 weeks! Best of luck OP, hope goes as smoothly and quickly as possible! X

BitOutOfPractice · 23/05/2023 20:32

I had mine out 20 years ago. Never had a moment’s problem since. Simple op, straightforward recovery, no issues after.

what on earth have you been reading?!

Lorrymum · 23/05/2023 20:38

I had mine removed 5 years ago. The threat of another horrendous attack ruled my life. Any food that had the slightest possibility of fat was removed from my diet.
I read lots of stuff online about the possibility of long term side affects and was terrified of the op. When I was eventually offered surgery I almost skipped into hospital. The relief was immediate and my first cream cake was a wonderful moment!
Wishing you a speedy recovery.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 23/05/2023 20:39

One thing to consider OP and it really is just one of the biggest Fuck You's that life can deliver, is that gallbladder attacks are more prevalent when you eat fat, so you cut fat, losing weight is a big cause of creating gallstones, so your gallbladder attacks get worse.

You just can't win.

Eat fat - OW
Don't eat fat and lose weight - OW

So it's best just to get it seen to.

MrsRandom123 · 23/05/2023 20:48

What have you been reading? There are always risks with any surgery but you should be able to find far more positive stories than bad ones (i know a few people in real life who have had it removed with no issues) my attacks started when i was pregnant they kept saying trapped wind - the pain was worse than child birth when the the time came 🙄 Finally got a scan 5 months after my daughter was born then 7 months on a waiting list & finally got it out just after her 1st birthday. The attacks kept happening in her 1st year - no pattern to them could be weekly then a few months in between but cutting out certain foods made no difference it was hell so while i was a little bit scared of the op (no one likes going under anaesthetic) and possibly ending up being separated from my daughter i knew it was for the best & it was! My daughter is 13 in a few weeks & i’ve been fine. I got home that night as well!

QueefQueen80s · 23/05/2023 20:51

My mum had hers done and since then has to run to the loo every time she has something fatty.
So when I got attacks at 21 (had about 10 in a few months), I switched to a healthy diet and they disappeared. Rather than removal. I'm now 38 and not had an attack since despite eating many many crap things..

Cakeandslippers · 23/05/2023 20:54

Get on the list. I've had problems for 10 years but was coping until it got horrific and I got referred. I've been on a waiting list for 20 months! I've got a date in a couple of weeks and this last few months have been utterly miserable. Don't get to this point if you can help it!

tracylamont13 · 23/05/2023 20:56

Had mine removed around 10 years ago. Very straightforward, one night in hospital and no issues since. Quick recovery. Glad I did it.

QueefQueen80s · 23/05/2023 20:57

QueefQueen80s · 23/05/2023 20:51

My mum had hers done and since then has to run to the loo every time she has something fatty.
So when I got attacks at 21 (had about 10 in a few months), I switched to a healthy diet and they disappeared. Rather than removal. I'm now 38 and not had an attack since despite eating many many crap things..

Just my experience btw, not saying everyone should leave it.

tarheelbaby · 23/05/2023 21:02

Another vote for doing it.
I had mine out by keyhole about 15 years ago when DD1 was not quite a toddler. I have had no further effects. I eat whatever I want. Many people in my family have had the same experience.

Falifornia · 23/05/2023 21:06

Parted company with my gallbladder in the 90's (spent most of 1994 in the work sick bay weeping with pain) at the super young age of 25. Gallbladder issues can be a side effect of the Pill ( or were back then in the old versions of said drugs). My only post op Achilles Heel is pastry, which makes me puke if I eat more than a very modest amount. I would say get it done!

MaidOfSteel · 23/05/2023 21:08

Do it, OP; get the surgery. The stuff you've been reading is wild!

I had my gallbladder removed, via keyhole surgery, in the day surgery unit about 8 weeks ago. It was quite painful for a couple of days, but they gave me Codeine to take home, and that helped a lot. They said to wear the compression socks they gave me for 8 weeks, but i managed about 3!

My whole tummy area was tender for a few weeks, but the pain was pretty much gone.

I've had no other after effects and I'm very relieved I won't have the awful attacks any more.

Aslanplustwo · 23/05/2023 21:10

Hi OP, just wanted to thank you for this thread. I'm being referred to a surgeon by my GP to discuss this, so it's helpful to read all the replies. I was diagnosed with gallstones around 18 years, and other than a tender gallbladder area now and again have had no issues until the last three years, where I am getting increasing gastritis pain, and I had to visit an out of hours doctor four weeks ago as I was in intense pain. Good luck to you!

pinkunicorns54 · 23/05/2023 21:11

I had mine our years ago and along with the attacks - my IBS symptoms went! Wouldn't even think twice about doing it again!

Secondrater · 23/05/2023 21:14

Had mine out - haven't noticed any difference really!