gall bladder operation

SmileeBarbFLA

I had mine removed in 2010 and I have felt perfect since. No problems with any food. I typically don't eat fried or greasy foods but if I taste something now or then I still feel fine and never have to worry about those horrendous attacks again. I lost approx 30 lbs between my attacks and the decision to watch my weight and eat as little fat as possible. I was literally afraid of eating something bad that would trigger another attack so I ate nothing fatty or greasy and now, a year + later, never looked back! :bigsmile:

brandimacleod

I had mine out many years ago. There is only one food I have difficulty eating, and that is donuts. (They give me hearburn.) I was so, so sick before the surgery, that I often tell people I would have done it for fun if I could have to avoid the year of sickness. I am grateful every day that horrible little organ is gone. I was fine quickly after surgery and never, ever looked back. Yes, you might be different. My surgeon had a list of foods that might cause me issues, but none did. I can't even say the donuts are because of the gall bladder. I probably got hearburn before the surgery too!

mylovelyhumps

See, mine was the other way around. I had mine removed about 5 years ago, and because of the way the gallbladder works, I couldnt (and still cant really) eat anything greasy, fried, dairy or spicy without an upset tummy. I had to know where the bathroom was if i was eating anywhere but home, because within minutes, I was in there. I have re-accustomed myself to spicy stuff (and it still gives me trouble, I just love spicy food) I had lost some weight before I had it done, but I lost about 30 lbs in the few months after I had it out.

I had mine taken out and am doubled over in pain if I eat badly. Gall bladder removal fixes one things but if you do not restrict what you eat or drink you can cause more problems. I now have bad reflux and painful ulcers 10 years after surgery.

LeanerBeef

Great thread! My doctor recommended I have my gallbladder removed. After complaining of stomach pain, had an ultrasound that confirmed that I do have gallstones - not pregnant (thank God, lol). I'm not anxious to get the surgery, haven't had a major attacks yet - maybe that would change my mind.

Has anyone tried or know of any alternative treatments besides surgery? I know staying away from greasy foods and improving my diet will help but was wondering if anyone knows of anything else?

acstansell

I had mine removed in December of 2008 and at first I lost weight, because I couldn't eat from lack of appetite for about 3 days. It turns out I had a complication and had to go back in the hospital. Then my appetite was low for a week. After that, I started gaining weight because I could eat what I wanted. I had trouble with greasy and fried foods too - they went right through me, but it didn't stop me from eating them. I struggled with bile dumps and phantom pain for about a year.

My suggestion is that you eat a low fat, high protein, high veggie diet. Your body can't store or process fat and cholesterol as easily once the GB is gone, and you can retain more fat as a result. Switching diets will help your body adjust quicker to the loss of your gall bladder. And drink a lot of water to keep your bile secretions thin.

chubbybunnee

Just wanted to throw my opinion out there I have had horrible GERD for the past 7 years that causes so much scar tissue my throat closes and I have to have it widened every 6 months just to swallow! Horrible pains when eating too much fat, or grease, and burning pains in my chest. Took that whole time for them to finally discover gallstones and recommend me have it removed but after covering from a Pulmonary Embolism, I was on blood thinners and couldn't have the surgery....so I read about the gallbladder and it's functions and decided that I would change my diet in the meantime to help limit the pain I would get until surgery day.....well it's been almost 6 months so far and I occasionally have burning chest pain or acid reflux but haven't had an attack I would go to the ER for. Deoending on how bad your pain is, if you can change your eating habits, sometimes you can live with it and not have to have surgery.

Every time you have surgery there is a risk and you body needs to heal itsself. Depending on your body, you may or may not need to change your diet permananlty afterwards due to the fact it is no longer there serving its purpose. Even though we can live without the gallbladder, I don't think that means we should unless we HAVE to. If you have severe pains all the time or if it is life threatening, I would do the surgery. If you get the occasional flare up like I do but its because you are eating greasy and fatty foods, then I would say give it a shot and try with a change in your diet first. My gallstones are still there but they don't bother me enough to risk another surgery. I have had 4 of them so far between my back, knee, etc.... so I am a believer that once they cut, it's never the same and some people get WORSE after it's removed. It all depends on the person.

It's your decision because it is your body and only you know if you think it's untolerable now or if you think a change of eating habits will help. Just be cautious that things don't always go as planned and there are not only complications from surgery, but there is a risk that it still doesn't solve the problem and your body will be working harder to do the job the gallbladder did. It's case by case and everyone is different and needs it for different reasons.

My recommendation, from me needing it, and my cousin who had hers removed, I would say lose it if its a really bad problem, but keep it if you can!

skatermom503

Hi
Having mine out tomorrow. Friend or message me if you like and I'll let you know later this week!

krisrpaz

Great thread! My doctor recommended I have my gallbladder removed. After complaining of stomach pain, had an ultrasound that confirmed that I do have gallstones - not pregnant (thank God, lol). I'm not anxious to get the surgery, haven't had a major attacks yet - maybe that would change my mind.

Has anyone tried or know of any alternative treatments besides surgery? I know staying away from greasy foods and improving my diet will help but was wondering if anyone knows of anything else?

I did a LOT of research, especially into natural remedies, before agreeing to surgery. I even did a gallbladder cleanse that was very unpleasant. When I realized the things you pass aren't even gallstones I was really irritated. They are little green balls of bile-covered olive oil. I then modified my diet to high-protein low-carb but it made my attacks 10x worse (I realized later this was from ranch dressing...dur!) The only thing that did not trigger attacks were starchy foods (carbs) and I have PCOS so this is the opposite of what I should eat. So eventually I opted for surgery. Totally worth it to me. Now I can high-protein low-carb with no issues. And I can eat ranch dressing!

clem7444

I had mine out by emergency surgery in April of 2009. I had severe attacks prior and drove myself to emergency where they removed it immediately. Afterwards, I felt sore, but was running again within a week (slowly!) and lifting weights within 2 weeks. The only "treatment effect," as I like to call it, comes from fake butter. So, I can't get butter on my popcorn at the movie theater, or use spray butter, or use anything that is a butter substitute. Let's just say that it greases things up. Prior to surgery, I lost 80 pounds, which I have since found out can be a determinant in causing gall stones. Since then, I have maybe lost 10 more. But, like I said, I haven't had to change my diet at all (except to eat real, delicious, creamy butter).

fullgambler

Story:I am a very active 69yr.old female.I had my gallbladder removed when I was in my early 40's.I did fairly well for about 3yrs and then I started having severe pain in my right side where my gallbladder had been located.I had to go to ER and they did a gastroscope and saw where a stone was supposedly caught in the bile ducts.So they had to replace the bile ducts with some plastic tubes for the stone to get through,Went home that evening and during the next two days I was in bad pain everytime I bent over,Went back to my gastro Dr. and the tubes were too long and they had to shorten them.Spent several days or nights in the ER due to the excruciating pain.The tubes have been replaced a few times and the last time was a little over a year ago.I have been to ER at least 3 times in the past year down on the floor in the worst pain ever due to stones getting stuck in the bile ducts.Til the stones pass I can not do anything but,cringe in pain and get morphine for the pain.Sometimes the pain will last for 3 hours.I have to take an antibiotic so I won't get infection in that area,this is what I am doing as I put this reply on here.I also have severe IBS with diarrehea most all the time and take the anti-diarreheal medicine everyday that I leave the house and know I am going to be gone for awhile.I also have GERD.So,I really don't know if the gall bladder surgery was for me or not.I don't think so.I know a few other people who have had the exact same problems as I am having.So,I wish each of you the best if you make the decision to have your gallbladder removed.

weber62

I had mine removed 28 years ago. My problems with fatty foods have increased in the last couple of years. If I have something to eat that is high in fat, I will get sick to my stomach when I lie down to go to bed. Sometimes I can manage it by sleeping sitting up but if it is too bad, I will be in the bathroom losing my dinner. As far as weight is concerned, I don't think it has made a difference. My weight has gone up and down over the past 28 years, more up than down.

jimshine

I had mine out in 1998.

I did gain weight. My doctor told me it was because I was eating more fatty foods I previously avoided because it triggered attacks. So that may be right, even if I am not 100% sure.

I started having acid reflux after getting it out. At first it was once a week or so, by last year I was having it several times a week. But once I started my diet here, I have yet to have acid reflux!

And a bit disgusting, but some foods irritate my bowels. That never happened before having that out. It still happens, but I can pretty much know what will do it (usually greasy food).

The bottom line is we are all a little different and I am sure the diet you have before ad after makes a big difference as well.

schonkreuz

I had my gallbladder out by emergency a couple of months ago, that being said it went very smoothly! I did have a bit of upswing on my weight because of the swelling, also because I had to be pumped full of saline for three days due to my emergency issues. The best advice I can give is -limit your fat intake-. If you eat too much fat in a meal or in a day well...you go have to go to the bathroom, its unpleasant. I had no issues and hope everything goes well for you!

RaggedyPond

I just had mine out in January. No problems losing weight. BUT if I eat too much fat in one day I will be having diarrhea the next morning for sure.

Just get lots of rest. Don't bother getting out of bed the first few days. It felt like I was stabbed 3 times in the gut. Take your pain killers but know they will make you not able to poop.

schonkreuz

Take your pain killers but know they will make you not able to poop.

Oh I forgot about this, you will want to get some kind of stool softener to help. I had a terrible experience because I did not

jimshine

I didn't know what was wrong with me for the longest time. I spent many sleepless nights thinking I was dieing. One night I had an attack while on a trip. I was up all night. My buddy asked what the pain was like and he said his wife had the same problem and it was her gall bladder. I went to a doctor and that was it. It took months to wait until my small town surgeon could fit me in. It seemed like anything could trigger them, at any time.

megslovescountry

i had my gallbladder out at 18 due to stones, and i'm so glad i found this thread. i thought i might be lactose intolerant because whenever i have dairy i end up becoming quite acquainted with the bathroom. i love milk and cheese, but have to really watch how much i have now. i had no idea the gallbladder effected the digestion like that.

truddy6647

my grandmother had her gallbladder out...while she has some issues with spicy foods she has no issues with diary products. However, she does have issues with apple peels go figure.....and my husband they are talking about removing his due to the issues he keeps having. He has gallstones and keeps having attacks that are so bad he thinks he is having a heart attack. He doesn't even have to eat anything spicy, greasy, fatty, or dairy for it to occur. His last episode occurred after eating a banana