Gallbladder Issues

lilbearzmom

I had WLS AND gallbladder surgery at the same time. They found out I had stones during my pre-op ultrasound. I was having pain, but it was fairly mild and I didn't know what it was. I have had ZERO issues and am happily stone-free. Get the surgery. I don't think you will regret it. However, you will be regretting it during your next attack...

RunHardBeStrong

Went into pancreatitis was hospatilzed for 7 days...best surgery of my life. I think it is such a worthwhile surgery there is no sense in being in pain when you can do something about it.

Never had issues afterwards.

Discuss with your doctor and what you want out of your quality of life, but personally I say get it!

Another who experienced the complication of gall stones. I've never experienced anything like pancreatitis and never want to again. Saying that having given birth with no pain relief!

Agreed! I had mine out last year and it was the best decision I've made. I had attacks on and off for a few years before I had one that lasted 3 days, worst pain ever, even worse than 100% natural child birth! I was only down 5 days after surgery and have not had any major digestive issues.

schonkreuz

I had mine out two months ago and did not experience the decreased appetite they said I would, instead I wanted to eat all the things(I was on a strict diet to prevent attacks, toast soup and sf jello get boring)! The only thing I've noticed is when I eat too much fat I have to go to the potty quickly :blushing: nothing much other then that.

AbbyCar

I had my gallbladder out one month after having my last child. I had problems for about six years, but noticed my attacks were getting more frequent, more painful and lasting longer. I figured I'd just have it out while I was on maternity leave. Best thing ever! After a couple of days I felt really good, other than being a little sore. I have not noticed any issues with eating fatty or greasy food.

gabbygirl78

Hi everyone. Long time user, first time poster! I thought I'd try these message boards for support about some gallbladder issues I've been having since I've seen some great support go out to others!

I had my first ever 'gallbladder attack' about 5 years ago while I was at university and have had them on and off since then. I've had 3 in the space of a week, and I've also gone months with no pain whatsover. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with gallstones after a particularly bad attack in January. 26 hours of pain, codeine, valium, nothing would shift it. The consultant scheduled me in to get my gallbladder removed and since then I've postponed two surgery dates.

The hospital have obviously had enough and scheduled me an appointment on the 21st of September, but as i'm crazy busy with work and social things, I'm reluctant to take time off for recovery. I've also been doing a lot of research and though I understand people turn to the internet when things go wrong, there do seem to be a lot of issues to do with digestive problems after removal (I was especially upset to learn that some people end up completely intolerant to alcohol!)

On top of that I've not had any pain AT ALL in 9 months. I'm not sure if that's due to doing more exercise, becoming pescetarian and losing 20lbs, or if i'm just in 'off season'. I've certainly had nights of excess in the space of that time and I've had no bloating, pain or any bad symptoms at all.

I'm in two minds about surgery because on one hand, it is preventative and removes the fear of gallstones getting worse. On the other hand, I feel perfectly healthy and I don't want to go messing with organs and my digestive system if I don't have to.

I'm fine with having a low fat diet afterwards as I follow a relatively low fat diet already, but the thought of rushing to the toilet immediately after having an alcoholic drink or slice of pizza really depresses me. I'm only 22 and I'm really settled into my diet and exercise plan, I'd hate for it to get ruined.

I was wondering what others experiences of gallbladder removal have been? Were you unable to eat certain foods or drink alcohol after having your gallbladder removed? How quickly did you recover? (I have a weekend away booked 10 days after my surgery is scheduled that I've been looking forward to all year).

I know that my health comes first and that's precisely why I'm asking. I don't want to cause myself issues if diet and exercise seems to be keeping problems at bay.

Thanks so much for any advice!

I developed Gallstones when I was 7 months pregnant with my son. I carried him for another month before they had to take him and my Gallbladder. I had developed Pancreatitis from it and was very sick. I was in the hospital for 16 days with only IV fluids until my Pancreas recovered enough to have the surgery. After having it out, I have had little problems... I can tolerate alcohol and other things. I seemed to go to the bathroom every time I ate for a little while after but I was use to that after having IBS all my life. In fact that has actually got better since then. If you have Gallstones then it is almost a must to get the surgery. My first attack was so bad I stayed in the hospital for over a week and my blood pressure kept bottoming out. and I was very very sick. My pancreatitis was caused from an actual stone getting lodged in the duct between my gallbladder and my pancreas. My pancreas is forever damaged now since a pancreas cant regenerate. I was already a candidate for pancreatic cancer due to my gallstones and the damage it did, but now on top of that my father just passed away in April from pancreatic cancer. My advice is get the surgery. You wont regret it. It is a same day surgery and a fast recovery. You don't even have stitches. just 4 to 5 tiny incisions in your abdomen with the Laparscopic Cholesystectomy. You will regret NOT having it in the long run I think. Good luck

gabbygirl78

Went into pancreatitis was hospatilzed for 7 days...best surgery of my life. I think it is such a worthwhile surgery there is no sense in being in pain when you can do something about it.

Never had issues afterwards.

Discuss with your doctor and what you want out of your quality of life, but personally I say get it!

Another who experienced the complication of gall stones. I've never experienced anything like pancreatitis and never want to again. Saying that having given birth with no pain relief!

24 weeks pregnant here. So the pain of pancreatitis was way worse than birth? I can remember laying on my bed then thinking I was ready to die.

If I can get through that then birth will hopefully be easier...crosses fingers

birth was a lot shorter and was only really painful when in the transition phase from stage 1 to 2. You'll be fine Hun

I gave birth a couple weeks after having pancreatits and YES child birth is much less painful!!! The pain was so excruciating that it had thrown me into premature labor and I didn't even feel my contractions( that were registering literally off the charts). I dilated 3 cm before they got it stopped . Most horrible experience I have ever had. Labor was easy after that!

Patzycakes

I'm in the same boat. Just got my ultrasound done a week ago and have to meet with a general surgeon to schedule.

I'm not going to think too much into the possible side effective. I'm primarily meat and dairy free. But boy, would I hate not being able to have a vodka cranberry!

TIme will tell i suppose.

running_free_1984

Went into pancreatitis was hospatilzed for 7 days...best surgery of my life. I think it is such a worthwhile surgery there is no sense in being in pain when you can do something about it.

Never had issues afterwards.

Discuss with your doctor and what you want out of your quality of life, but personally I say get it!

Another who experienced the complication of gall stones. I've never experienced anything like pancreatitis and never want to again. Saying that having given birth with no pain relief!

24 weeks pregnant here. So the pain of pancreatitis was way worse than birth? I can remember laying on my bed then thinking I was ready to die.

If I can get through that then birth will hopefully be easier...crosses fingers

birth was a lot shorter and was only really painful when in the transition phase from stage 1 to 2. You'll be fine Hun

I gave birth a couple weeks after having pancreatits and YES child birth is much less painful!!! The pain was so excruciating that it had thrown me into premature labor and I didn't even feel my contractions( that were registering literally off the charts). I dilated 3 cm before they got it stopped . Most horrible experience I have ever had. Labor was easy after that!

OMG! to have pancreatitis in late preg is something i cant imagine!

Koldnomore

It's been about 3 years for me.

No issues with alcohol (I don't drink very often or very much). Normally I know that I will need a bathroom roughly 1/2 hour after eating anything high in fat so I prepare for it. It's never caused too much of an issue and better than the pain from the stones was any day

It was 2 years before they finally figured out what was wrong with me. I'd have an attack, go to emergency and by the time I got in to see anyone the pain had gone away. I had it worked out to last around 6 hours so the last few attacks I just dealt with because I knew it was pointless to go anywhere.. When the pain didn't stop after 6 hours and I started puking from it I knew it was something really wrong. By the time I got in to see the doctors, they admitted me, and figured out what the problem was I had to be scheduled for emergency surgery. I was off 1 week and had to be a little careful moving around for a while. They would have given me 2 weeks off but I needed to work.

gabbygirl78

Went into pancreatitis was hospatilzed for 7 days...best surgery of my life. I think it is such a worthwhile surgery there is no sense in being in pain when you can do something about it.

Never had issues afterwards.

Discuss with your doctor and what you want out of your quality of life, but personally I say get it!

Another who experienced the complication of gall stones. I've never experienced anything like pancreatitis and never want to again. Saying that having given birth with no pain relief!

24 weeks pregnant here. So the pain of pancreatitis was way worse than birth? I can remember laying on my bed then thinking I was ready to die.

If I can get through that then birth will hopefully be easier...crosses fingers

birth was a lot shorter and was only really painful when in the transition phase from stage 1 to 2. You'll be fine Hun

I gave birth a couple weeks after having pancreatits and YES child birth is much less painful!!! The pain was so excruciating that it had thrown me into premature labor and I didn't even feel my contractions( that were registering literally off the charts). I dilated 3 cm before they got it stopped . Most horrible experience I have ever had. Labor was easy after that!

OMG! to have pancreatitis in late preg is something i cant imagine!

I wouldn't wish it on anyone! It was horrible!:sick:

running_free_1984

I'm in the same boat. Just got my ultrasound done a week ago and have to meet with a general surgeon to schedule.

I'm not going to think too much into the possible side effective. I'm primarily meat and dairy free. But boy, would I hate not being able to have a vodka cranberry!

TIme will tell i suppose.

Some people get side effects, some don't, i owe myself about 6 beers tonight and a naughty takeaway

SweetJoanne

great comments on here this was a great article, thanks everyone

JoelleAnn78

Went into pancreatitis was hospatilzed for 7 days...best surgery of my life. I think it is such a worthwhile surgery there is no sense in being in pain when you can do something about it.

Never had issues afterwards,and back to classes a week later.

Discuss with your doctor and what you want out of your quality of life, but personally I say get it!

Question for the ladies who have also given birth. I've heard gallbladder attack and pancreatitis is worse than giving birth is that true?

My personal list --

(1) Gall stone
(2) Kidney Stones (three so far)
(3) Child birth

ETA: Removing my gallbladder has been one of the very best things I have ever done. No noticable after effects except the absence of excrutiating, debilitating pain.....

ninnyfurr74

Hey there, I had my gall bladder out about 15 years ago and have never regretted it! The pain from the attacks is one of the worst things I have ever experienced! My first attack came two days after I gave birth to my first son. I had 3 more in a two week period. Not fun. Finally my mom convinced me to go to the ER, she knew what was wrong as she had been through the same thing. I was scheduled for surgery a week later. My story is not all that unusual, except for one thing. I can eat all the fatty foods I want, but I am one of the rare 7% that has problems eating salads. Yep, you read right, salads. The doctors can't explain it to me, and it isn't very common, but any time I eat salad, especially if it is iceberg lettuce, I have to run for the bathroom about an hour later. I don't regret it though. I had laproscopic surgery and was up cleaning house two days later! Easy recovery! Don't put it off! Oh and I have never had any problems with alchohol. Hadn't even heard of that side affect until this thread lol.

grho

I won't say my experience is typical, but I was out of the hospital that night (surgery was ~9 AM) and back home by 6, after stopping by costco to get prescriptions filled. I had it done on a Friday and was back at work Monday (desk job, so nothing too hard) but didn't have a lot of pain at all.

As far as what I can eat I have never modified my diet due to having my gall bladder out. I eat pretty much whatever I want. I have had one instance where I noticed feeling really bad after I ate and that was after I ate a fried appetizer plate for lunch and a taco salad with a lot of fried bread all in the same time period. I actually eat pizza quite a bit and have never had to run for the bathroom or had any problems with it.

All in all, compared to the pain I was in the the gall stones I would not hesitate to do it again. My surgery was laproscopic.

susannakaysen

Thanks again everyone! It's really good to hear that the majority of people have had pretty good experiences! I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Just to add about the pain of a gallbladder attack, I've got a freakishly high pain threshold and have broken bones, dislocated and joints without much complaint. The doctors are a bit puzzled about me really. But holy hell the pain of a gallbladder attack is something else. I'm sure if the time ever comes for childbirth it will be a walk in the park!

ironmaidenchick

Hey chick, I had mine out about 4 months ago, was pretty painful for about a week, so make sure you have someone looking after you for the first few days cause things like getting up and bending are real hard cause of where all the incisions were made, ive had a lot of trouble with food and alcohol since, but I think everyone is different, and your body also has to have time to adjust, I cant eat anything processed, high fat and I seem to have trouble with bread, also some coffee so my diet is very healthy so that's a plus side of it and also the weight loss!
If you have stones you are definitely best to have the surgery cause they will get bigger then you risk the chance of them getting into the bile duct and that causes all sorts of complications. Good luck!

susannakaysen

Hi everyone, I had my gallbladder surgery yesterday. The doctor explained everything clearly to me and did point out that some people had issues with certain foods, but the majority don't have to change their lifestyle. After my surgery I found out I had 2 large stones (about a plum stone size) and some smaller ones. It also turned out that my gallbladder had pretty much shut down and was filled with mucus. If it had stayed in I probably would have gotten septicemia. Since my gallbladder hadn't been working for a while anyway, I feel better about being able to eat and drink since I didn't have any restrictions before. Just now I'm in quite a bit of pain from the surgery but will hopefully be recovered soon!

Hope everyone else who has to go through it has a good experience!

farniente8

I had my gallbladder removed in my early twenties and have not missed it at all. I have not noticed any digestive issues although I was warned that there may be some. It's been over 10 years so I doubt one will pop up now! My attacks were incredibly painful. If yours are anything like that then having it removed will be the right solution.

FourIsCompany

I'm glad you decided to go through with it and I hope you're back to normal very soon!