Should I have my Gallbladder removed?

[OwwOwwLowFat]

Following a visit to A&E, follow ups at surgical assessment unit, and two lots of antibiotics, the NHS have added me to the list for gallbladder removal.

As I have private medical with work, I’ve seen a specialist who wanted an MRI of my bile ducts, but wasn’t keen on the surgery in case of complications.

I’m a bit puzzled as the NHS consultant made it sound like a requirement or there would be future issues. I’ve been mostly fine while avoiding trigger foods for the last couple of months waiting for the MRI and gallbladder inflammation to settle.

I see my private consultant this week, should I have it out? His concern seemed to be the severity of the attack and inflammation markers, but presumably I’m back to normal for those? Also my BMI is 31 so he said I’d need a two week liver shrinking diet before surgery, which I’m fine with.

Anyone I know in real life has just had it removed following issues and is happy.

I had mine taken out in 2006 and have never had any issues.

Everyone I know, myself included, has never looked back. I had mine by keyhole, as did most of my relatives. It was a doddle and much preferable to the other options.
If you have done any research, you'll know that the gallbladder is more trouble than its worth.

Had mine out. Couldn’t wait. I do have some bowel issues now but they only started about 10 years after removal so I assume unrelated. I wouldn’t change my decision at all. Best thing I ever did.

Once your gallbladder has played up, it will do it over and over again.

Plus avoiding trigger foods starts with just not having cream and ends in a diet of grilled fish and plain boiled veg.

There is a limit to how long that is bearable although the weight loss was nice

I found I knew loads of people who had had theirs removed and they were all happy. i was happy once mine had gone too.

Had mine out in 2014
I am very glad I had it out and would do it again in a heartbeat but I have suffered with Bile Acid Malabsorbtion ever since

A friend had gallbladder issues and was recommended to have it taken out but wasn't keen and put it off. She then Had such a bad attack of pain etc she needed to have it taken out in an emergency situation and recovery was far worse than is she'd had it initially.

Complications? Did he say what they might be? Obvs there can be complications after any op', but I've never heard that gall bladder op's are particularly prone to them.

I had agonising pain on a regular basis during the two years or so it took for my cholecystitis to be diagnosed in my mid 30s. Gall bladder removed - pain over. Never a single issue since.

Do it 💪👍

Definitely have it out. I had mine done, keyhole, all good, made life so much better

There was some blood result , I can’t remember the name of it, but it’s the liver being very upset about the gallbladder inflammation. Ideally it should be under 10, and it was nearly 300, then antibiotics, then 90, and more antibiotics.

I was very unwell, and no wish to repeat it. The private doc was all about the possible complications, and when I asked about my narrow escape from sepsis and emergency surgery on this occasion wasn’t too worried.

I specifically selected him as an expert in this surgery, so it’s a surprise he wasn’t keen to operate.

If anyone has been here and has thoughts on questions for my next consultation I’d appreciate it.

I’d go to someone else tbh

I've suffered for 6 years and I can say the attacks and frequency of the attacks get worse . I was only diagnosed in February this year though . I've gone down the private route and my surgeon is very positive about the whole procedure . Yes there are risks but it's a fairly straight forward surgery . Quite a few people close to me have had it done and all have said it was worth it and changed their lives . My BMI is higher than yours and I don't have to do a liver shrinking diet . My surgery is in 2 weeks and I can't wait .

I had my gallbladder out last year, as an emergency op following an infected gallbladder. Until then I'd had no gallstone pain or other problems, so it was a shock!

The pain of the infection was so extreme I had no wish to risk it again. The op was uneventful and I recovered quickly. My BMI was higher than 31 and no one mentioned any liver reducing diet.

I'm very glad I had the surgery. I've had no long term side effects.

I think you need to get a second opinion / find a new surgeon.