Hi , yes i had my gall bladder removed some years ago. I had suffered with severe pain for many years, and all i was told was i had indigestion, so would have antacid treatment, until i read this story about someone who had a hiatis hernia, some of the symptoms were the same as mine, so i went to a GP and explained what i had been going through since i was , i was by this time 28 , and also told him what i had read. He then examined me , and sent me along to have an ultra sound done, turned out he was right with his diagnosis,tones , 5 of them to be exact, one really large one. So i was refered to the hospital , had to wait until they could fit me in, by the time i was admitted, i was chronic, so they got me just in time. I also heard the horror stories, but i have been glad to be rid of it, and i never have to watch what i eat , but exercise will help in keeping weight off. I'm not going to saay i have been pain free, but never so much as before,and i haven't had this pain for years now, i used to get it on and off for some time , same symptoms, but no where near as severe. Hope this helps. Mafreep