Gallbladder removal

[Dailystuck71]

Has anyone had theirs removed? Can I ask how long you were in hospital for and how long off your feet/work for too please? Many thanks,.

I waited 8 months from first attack to op and followed a very low fat diet throughout. Basically I could eat no more than 10g of fat per meal, absolute maximum. Once I worked that out, I had no more full-blown attacks, just the odd twinge occasionally. It was a pain in the butt, but it certainly worked. I was very strict about it - the threat of excruciating pain is an excellent motivator . I lost a lot of weight, but have put it back on since the op, stupidly, and am now trying to lose it again. Just goes to show that low fat diets do work.

Thanks for that. Will need to research online some more.

Had my cholecystectomy three weeks ago, emergency surgery. Was home next morning. Have only skimmed the thread so apologies if this has been mentioned. You'll be best served taking a bile acid sequestrant - Cholestyramine, Olestyr, Pancreatin to aid with your digestion of fat afterwards. Also, expect to visit the toilet frequently for a few weeks afterward, the above meds help. You'll be best taking one forevermore, with each meal or snack. Upping fibre intake is a good idea too.

My surgeon recommended a bland diet supplemented with BRATY each day for first month whilst things settle, Bananas, Rice, Apple, Toast, Yogurt.

Good luck!

Also, if developing stones, you CAN still develop stones after removal, these are called Common Bile Duct Stones or Choledocholiathiasis. This will have exactly the same symptoms as a stone, bloating, upper-right quadrant abdo pain, nausea, vomiting, possibly jaundice and dark urine. This is potentially a medical emergency.

SimplySte - I wasnt told any of that. The medicaiton you mention, is that available from a chemist or only via GP?

Yes, it's information that for whatever reason isn't passed on. Yet it's information that anyone lacking a gallbladder needs to know.

I'm unsure if you can simply buy the supplements, mine are coming from GP, although I had to see a couple as the first denied you can get gallstones following GB removal and also that a person lacking a gallbladder would have issues with fat digestion.

I haven't had any frequent toilet visits or loose stools at all since my op 3 weeks ago, ate bland food for first week, well hardly any food really but have eaten fat since and am back to normal regular bowel movements. I've spoken to a lot of people who've had the op in RL and only a couple had ongoing issues with fat digestion, the majority can eat whatever they want with no Ill effects , including me thankfully.The only supplements I take are multivitamins and milk thistle.