To ask you : How is life without gallbladder ?

[Soloflight1]

I know boring and completely wrong section but I’m sick and having my gallbladder removed in few weeks - I want to have hope, that life will go back to normal once this is done ! Thank you

I have to be careful what I eat, but i have intolerances as well. You may find too much dairy or fats will make you uncomfortable, nothing like gallbladder pain though.

I had mine out in 2007.
No issues at all!

Blissful. Never had a moment of bother since it came out, and there is no greater relief than knowing I will never go through the pain of having a gallbladder attack again.

The only difference I notice is that I no longer double up in pain. Really don’t miss it.

Piggybacking on to your thread if you don’t mind. I’ve had a pretty rough 3 months (and a less rough 2 years) due to gallstones and complications.

I was due my removal on 26th Jan and I was so excited. However, I’m now in hospital due to one of the big stones making a break for it and blocking my bile duct. I’m going to need an ERCP now to take the stone out of the bile duct before I can have my gallbladder removal.

I’m well and truly done with this shit, so knowing there could be a normal life on the horizon gives me hope.

Dh had his out. Generally eats as normal, but has to be careful with fatty foods. Doesn ‘t usually stop him though - he just feels nauseous afterwards.

No difference at all.
No pain and no having to watch the type of food I eat.

I can honestly say I don’t miss mine and never give it a thought.

I had my gallbladder taken out on 3rd December after an emergency admission. Ended up in hospital for 8 days. A month on, I feel great. Still have to be careful with fatty foods and fizzy drinks but compared to my previous pain, that is nothing.
I couldn't have keyhole surgery so have a larger incision scar but that has healed really well too. Good luck with your operation.

Had mine out in 2005 aged 58. I'm fine. No problems at all. Was in a lot of pain so taken in by ambulance, operated on within 48 hours.

After the operation I was talking to an older friend on the phone. "Can you live without a gallbladder?" she asked me. Er, yes, I'm talking to you now. Gave us both a good laugh.

I sometimes get a squiffy tummy if I eat fatty foods but honestly, it was pure relief when I woke up from the operation.

This is what DH says. He had his removed in 2021, and had been told by relatives that he would need to be careful what he ate, but he’s eating exactly as he did before. We’re vegetarians, which might make a difference.

Fantastic..it took a bit of recovering from but absolutely brilliant. I have never looked back ..that pain was awful, never want that again! You will be so glad you had your op promise you x

I had mine taken out last March, aged 69. I have to be careful with fatty foods, as that can sometimes lead to toilet issues. I was in hospital overnight and home with minimal discomfort. One tip, when you are in the car coming home after op, take a cushion to place against you (under the seatbelt).

TMI TOILET

Took mine out 18 years ago, initially i had diarrhea and poo that wouldnt flush just float from oil malabsorption if i eat a take away and gas and., bloating but then it settled and my poo is normal by 7 or 10 years postop. I can and do eat greasy food no issues but that took years.

I am piggy backing too while I sit waiting for a scan. I’ve only had issues for a week and I am so fed up. I don’t know for sure if this is what it is but hoping the scan will confirm.

Hope you feel better soon @Soloflight1

For the veterans, how did you manage the pain while you were waiting to have it removed?

Thank you so much everyone, I need to hear that, I’m feeling so down. @TulipTuesday I had a Ercp last Friday and that developed in acute pancreatitis (it’s a rare side effect) I hope it won’t happen to you xx

Had mine taken out 2016 and life is glorious is comparison to having one.

I couldn't eat without taking anti sickness. I had to religiously take opiates or end up in hospital (happened multiple times - one time was obstructive jaundice). I still get some acid reflux and heartburn but I'd rather cope with that than gallstone pain.

Well, the first pub meal I had a couple of months after surgery had unfortunate consequences... but after that things were all fine.

I had mine out in 2020, I had developed pancreatitis too so had a week in hospital. Having it removed was the best thing ever, after months of dealing with increasingly frequent attacks.

If I eat high fat processed foods like pizza or chips I feel uncomfortable for a few hours, but otherwise eat exactly what I want with no issues.

I had my gallbladder out over 25 years ago (I was unusually young and it took ages to diagnose what it was) I have no issues at all apart from not eating too much fat which (TMI) goes right through me. A keto diet would not be my friend!

I haven't regretted it for a minute. Gallbladder pain is excruciating - much worse than childbirth

Gallbladder pain is awful, pancreatitis is another level - I wish this pain on no one !

I had mine out about 7 years ago and I have dodged all the warning side effects of the operation. It was such a relief to take the fear out of eating again, I don't miss that pain. Best of luck, op.

Like others I can eat anything and the only thing missing is the agony

The first meal after it was removed was...interesting. But within a couple of days, it was totally fine. We went for a 12 course tasting menu at a Michelin starred restaurant about 2 weeks after it was taken out and it was delightful!