Positive Gall Bladder Removal Stories

[Keggles36]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone has any positive stories of having their gall bladder out? Ask I can find online is people complaining of constant diarrhoea for years after the surgery.

I am aware this can be a side effect - but it must go well sometimes?

I'm 37 and mum to a beautiful 6 month old. I started having attacks 4 months ago, have ended up in a and e a couple of times and had gall stones diagnosed last week and offered to have gall bladder out in next couple of months. I did labour with no analgesia, but just can't cope with the gall stone pain and can't breast feed or parent when it happens, but don't want to have diarrhoea so bad I also can't parent.

Just any positive stories would be amazing.

This thread has made me feel so much better!

I'm definitely about to have an attack and I've eaten only vegetables and fruit today, so not really sure what the I can cut out.

I'm so sad all the time because of it, I just want to enjoy my baby.

I feel a lot less concerned about the surgery.

Never been through it myself op, but having witnessed my husband suffer for almost two years, you have my extreme sympathy. Take care xx

I had mine out after it ruptured when my first baby was a few months old. I was like a new woman once it was out. The recovery felt like I had done 100,000 sit-ups but that was it.

Had mine out 18 months ago. Changed my life! The agony of gallstones is hell on earth, the recovery is a walk in the park compared. Also never realised how I had a constant underlying sick feeling until it was removed and I didn’t feel it no more.

Sincere sympathies OP. I hope that it can be removed asap and that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

Mine was done 43 years ago. Hope you don't get it but what can you do 🤷‍♀️

I'm so sorry, would you not have the gallbladder surgery if given the option again or is BAM more manageable than the pain?

My mum (70ish) and a friend (40ish) both had theirs out last year and have recovered fine. Good luck!

Had mine out in Jan as an emergency. I took few weeks off Work and took it really easy.

No issues at all since. Maybe one bout of loose stools and thats it.

When an attack came on I drank as much water and peppermint tea as I could.

Took some apple cider vinegar.

Took buscopan and naproxen.

The time I went to hospital nothing was helping and I vomited and it just felt different to other attacks. I thought I would get stronger pain killers but bloods were all out and I was admitted with pancreatitis.

There is a good Facebook group with advice.

I’ve noticed it seems to be more and more a thing that people are being ‘warned’ about the side effects after being permanent etc. I had mine out privately 2 years ago. I have to be cautious about super high fat stuff and it’s not a bad thing to not go overboard but generally it’s fine but I have friends who are being discouraged to ask for the op for to the ‘you’ll have constant diarrhoea’ fear being put in them by the Dr.

I worked in surgical as a nurse for years and most with keyhole and open gall bladder surgery recovered well with no ill effects including my own mother.
Think It’s probably your best option. Good luck

I had mine out 3 years ago after a year or so of appalling pain. Have you asked for stronger pain relief for attacks? I did and was given a small bottle of morphine to keep.at home. You definitely can't parent during an attack so I don't see how morphine could be worse.

Anyway, keyhole surgery. Stopped all pain meds after 48 hours. 3 weeks off work but I could have gone back after a couple of days really. Different with a baby obviously.

No food issues or any other issues. It was like a miracle. Good luck.

Just had mine on the 2nd of May ‘25.No issues yet,eating normal and had it done key hole.

@Greebosmum they've given me some dihydrocodeine, i did ask for oramorph but they said no due to breastfeeding (which is stupid as we give it to all the post cs mums on the ward - I'm a midwife - so it's safe!) so I'm hopeful the codeine will be ok... This one seems to have settled but reckon I'll be woken in pain shortly.

I had mine out around a year and half ago through key hole surgery. I suffered badly through the last trimester and was advised to change my eating habits, which is very hard whilst pregnant! I was then put on a waiting list for over a year to have it out and really watched what I ate as I couldn’t cope with the pains and being at home alone with baby.

However, since the surgery I have had no issues and no side affects from it, at all, so try not to worry.

I did have to be careful afterwards with lifting my daughter and reminding myself I can’t do everything I used to straight away.
for example, the day after my partner suggested going to a farm, I was fine for a bit, but then felt dizzy and was sick from the pain and exhaustion! (Looking back I know it was silly)
My daughter had recently started walking so was still a bit wobbly and liked being picked up for cuddles but I had to get to her level and cuddle on the floor instead as it was too painful with it pulling.

sorry, I rambled on there! Just trying to say be careful and easy on yourself afterwards, but I would say there’s nothing to worry about 🥰

Scar wise, mine are tiny, can see the red marks but the 3 you can see anre incredibly small, the fourth is hidden as in the bellybutton, I got mine via keyhole.

The pain was the worst of anything I have ever had. Perhaps today they might have zapped the stones. No option back then . I had to have it but I now live on Immodium and peptobismol to be able to leave the house.

I had mine out 15 years ago after agonising pain. Never had any problems since.

But I came here to tell you about a trick I learnt to deal with the pain when you get an attack. I know it sounds weird, I discovered it by accident but it really helped me - it might just help you too! Try singing really loudly and powerfully - put your best sing along tracks on! I think the action of singing helped to move the stones, which eased the pain, usually within ten minutes. Worth a try!!

I had mine out around 4 years ago via keyhole, recovery was good- I took it easy and used the pain relief they prescribed. No issues with diet or stomach upsets, just huge relief at no more attacks. I was taken to hospital by ambulance twice due to severity of the attacks- they actually thought it was a heart attack first time round.

@Helpmechooseausername that's amazing!! I will definitely try it. I ended up "dancing" under the shower last time!

As a midwife I'm sure you already know that pain relief is a very individual thing but as someone who also gave birth (twice) with zero analgesia I can honestly say I take aaaaalllll the meds for a gallstone attack. I'm also waiting for mine out too.

After some experimenting I've found my best combination is 2 codeine, 2 buscopan and 1 ibuprofen and drink a pint of water at the first 'oh shit it's starting' feeling, if I take those within 10 mins of the warning signs of an attack I feel uncomfortable for the duration of the attack - like bad period pain or a bit of wind, rather than in absolute agony and in so much pain I'm vomiting.

I've also started experimenting with star jumps as well - I've no scientific basis for this but in my head I feel it's helping to make the sludge/stones shift back out of wherever they've lodged themselves to cause the pain. It occurred to me when I had to run to get my meds once as they were in my bag in the car and I could feel the movement seemed to be helping. So now I do star jumps (with the pint of water sloshing around in my stomach) and it does seem to help shorten the length of the attack. If nothing else it's a distraction.

@Iudncuewbccgrcb this is good to know. I desperately want Buscopan but not breastfeeding safe. I'll definitely take the advice on lots of water, star jumps and drugs asap though!

Honestly... Labour was a walk in the park comparatively wasn't it?! Apparently pregnancy can increase chances of developing stones.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/buscopan-hyoscine-butylbromide/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-taking-buscopan/

I would have thought a couple of buscopan PRN would be OK just for attacks. Hopefully you aren't needing to take it several times a day daily?

So attack happened and codeine was reasonably useless 😓 we're going away in a camper van next week and I'm so frightened of an attack.