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.

Your experience was like mine - my GB was evicted 8 weeks ago and I’m fine now, no restrictions on eating, no diarrhoea and no pain. I was private through my Benenden membership which I’ll be forever grateful for - my consultant got the nhs scans from the hospital no problem. Good luck, it’s awful

Same here. I think it was probably because I got my appetite back after a few years of struggling to eat.

Pain disappeared straightaway. Short side effect of gas in the abdomen which did not pass in the usual way.

I returned to normal activity straightaway although did get tired easily for a few weeks.

@Nat6999 mine started 8 weeks after giving birth, and it was an IVF pregnancy so a ton of hormones. The lovely first GP thought that had probably been the trigger. Since it started I now know of 4 friends and friends-of-friends who have had IVF pregnancies and are waiting for theirs out as well. As a midwife I'd never heard of this connection but there you go!

Looks like it's going to come out on 11th. I'm now worrying about how to look after my little one whilst recovering!

It's coming out tomorrow. I'm a mess of nerves 😭 I've batch cooked for my husband and baby like I'm going to die.

Any last words if wisdom? Or advice for recovery?

I just wanted to say good luck!! I came in to look for a gall bladder post as I have just had my surgery booked in 3 weeks after an A&E visit and they found a 17mm stone.

I’ve had to go private as the NHS is now 18 months, so used my husband’s insurance.

fingers crossed your recover is as good as all the lovely stories on here, it’s really helped me, I’ve had gastric issues for about 5+ years and I’m excited that finally it flared and proved what was wrong all along as I’d been totally ignored, so I was almost happy to be taken seriously, if that makes any sense!

I think it took a bit of time for it all to settle down after, but the pains were gone. System got used to going once a day instead of once every five days or a panic run for it!

They couldn't see stones. One doc said I was fixated. I damn well wasn't.

Keyhole? You will be fine. They have great drugs.

@reversegear we're having to go private too - the waiting list turned out to be about a year +, and I just didn't trust the doctors at all (checked the CQC rating and for surgery it was deemed poor for safety!). My MIL has leant us the money, doesn't want paying back but has said if I insist I can pay it into a savings account for my daughter so that's what I've started doing! It was so kind of her, I just feel really bad.

I've had digestive issues for about 8 years now, after dairy and fatty food, and I do wonder if it was the gall bladder and if pregnancy etc has tipped it over into gall bladder attacks. Guess I'll never know.

Good luck for your surgery too!

@upinaballoon that's promising. I have childcare support for nearly 4 weeks so can hopefully feel a bit better by then. Still worried it's going to cause digestive carnage but will see... It's happening now.

@justtaketheeffingpicture yes, I hope so. I know a lot will be off the table with breast feeding but can still have a few of them.

Will folks it's out! Procedure went smoothly, gallbladder was completely full and on the brink of rupture, I stayed overnight as my blood pressure would not stabilise at all 😓

Had a few hiccups with trying to breastfeed my little one and get comfy, but we've sorted it out now.

I am in some pain, but it's nothing compared to a gall bladder attack. The really noticeable thing is I can get into a comfy position and sleep.

Good luck for those of your soon to have it out, and thank you to the others for your words of support and reassurance!

Oh wow congratulations, I’m back sat in a&e, I thought I was doing ok after my hospital stay and then wham, I haven't been able to keep food or water down, I’m fading here and need pain killers and fluids.

I have eaten 600 calories in 3 days, every single time I eat it’s agony, even a spoon of rice.

The pain is unreal again, can’t wait for this 15mm bugger to be removed. I can’t imagine how bad that was while nursing a baby.

Rest Up OP

@reversegear I hope you're as ok as can be! I promise, this post op pain is nothing compared to that pain! You'll feel great. Might they bring you forwards?

Had mine out around 15 years ago. One night in hospital, very straightforward, doctor said I may need up to 6 weeks off work but I was back in 3.

Congratulations! Honestly after leaving hospital I never even needed an aspirin. The very mild discomfort when I twisted a certain way was nothing compared to what life had been.
Did you get dissolvable stitches? Starbage feeling when they start loosing and you can just ping them out but it was so freeing. Like it's all over.

My husband is going to phone the consultants secretary tomorrow to ask to be put on cancellation lists.

@Dinosaurshoebox i have needed the paracetamol and ibuprofen, but I did unfortunately faint when I first got out of bed so think I've probably pulled things a little! Definitely don't need anything stronger! They used internal stitches and glue! It's amazing!

@reversegear i have everything crossed for you 🤞🤞 we were very fortunate MIL offered to pay to go private, I felt awkward but definitely the right decision.

@Keggles36how are you doing? I’ve been bumped forward and have surgery early next week now as the pain is relentless, I’ve been on pain killers and morphine on and out of hospital for almost 2 weeks as this stone is totally stuck, I can’t eat a thing without it flaring. Can’t wait to be over on your side of the fence. Hope all is well.

That's great news! Not how ill you are, but that is been brought forwards though I'm sorry it had to get this bad before anything happened. How are you feeling about it? Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I'm ok, incisions and digestion both good right now 🤞 unfortunately in absolute agony with my back, but think that might be specific to me having pretty weak back muscles and them being relied on more as my abs are out. I think I've also lifted my daughter more than I should have!

So in short, if I hadn't of been an idiot I'd probably be fine! Good luck!!

@reversegear just thought I'd check in and see how surgery went? Hope you're doing well!

Hi, I’m 29 year old female, I had my gallbladder out October 2024 and have not looked back or regretted my choice. I have had no negative side effects. If I had any advise it would be to have someone with you for 48 hours after op so you don’t have to keep getting up and down aside from that everything was okay. Happy if you want to message me direct with any questions. Good luck xx

I had mine out five years ago. I’ve been completely fine since.

I had mine out nearly 20 years ago and have no regrets! My stomach is fine 🤷‍♀️

I had mine out twenty years ago- no issues

I've just had my gallbladder removed Tuesday what things did you eat I've ate small portions of apples and bananas and had Weetabix that's it and just drank water. I worried to eat just incase it effects me

I had mine out early August I was surprised by what I could eat, I seemed to be able to eat everything, but I kept to small portions as I did have some lower tummy pain which I saw as having to stop. I did the liver shrinkage diet for a week before the operation, which was so bland and boring, so was nice to eat something tasty.