Anyone here had their gallbladder removed?

[misty]

I have gallstones, and have been told I need to have my gall bladder removed. So while I am waiting for the surgery I have been researching the operation and about gallstones in general. The problem is that google is not my friend, it keeps linking me with all these horror stories about people who have had their gallbladder removed who are unable to ever eat normally again and who are in constant pain years after the surgry.

So Has anyone here had their gall bladder removed? Would you go through it again? and how is life for you after the surgery?

[totalfrog]

I had mine taken out and I am so glad I did. I really haven't had any problems - sometimes I get a bit of a tummy ache if I eat too much greasy food but that is about it. It is such a relief when you wake up from the operation and know that you will never have to go through the pain of another dreaded attack of gallstones!

[~breeze~]

I had my gall bladder removed in 2003. I would definately do it all over again. No more attacks.... bliss!
The only thing I've found is that I go to the toilet more often (using bowels) its like when I eat fatty foods they go straight through me which doesnt annoy me in the slightest. I still eat everything I used to eat (I have a very bad diet... lots of junk food, very bad for me which I have to change for my health) but I didnt have to change my diet AT ALL after the op, only leading up to the operation I had to be on a no fat diet... wish I hadve stuck to it after the op

I would recommend it... those attacks are PAINFUL!!!

[kawazuki]

i had mine out almost 3 years ago.
no ill effects if anything i am able to eat better, no more heart burn like pains in my upper right abdomen.

ok when i eat excessive amounts of red wine and fatty food i get teh runs, but i can still eat it in moderation.

have enevr had pain in the area since teh operation
it is done through key hole surgery so 2 or 3 2 cm cuts

[misty]

thank you everyone

the internet really is a two edged sword...

[Jakabella]

Yep and I am so glad! I had a massive attack which saw me in the ER and admitted that day and the op the day after! I was in So much pain - it was worse than contractions as the pain was there all the time and never let up!

I had the operation 3 months ago.

I had no choice but to have it out as it was on its last legs and making me very sick. I was good after the op and it only took me about 2 weeks to be 100% recovered from the op. I had key hole surgery and only have 4 small scars as a reminder.

I would do it all again if I had to as the pain was far worse that the surgery.

I have not eaten ANY Maccas or KFC or HJ's after the op as I had a huge feed of maccas and thats what caused my big episode so I still cant bear to eat that food = which I think id a good thing!!

[Mother Goose]

yup, had it out in 07 and am so thankful! there are heaps of threads on BB about it.

[AnyDream]

Do a search on gallbladder and gallstones on BB, you will find loads of threads.

I had mine out on Friday the 13th (of February) last year...best thing I ever did and it might just as well have saved my life.

Don't miss the horrid little sucker one bit, was in a lot of pain for several months beforehand, didn't really have any problems eating etc afterwards. If I eat a lot of fatty food in one sitting (like fish and chips or a really greasy curry) then I get the runs, but don't have problems with most food.

[tracey2010]

I was so scared to get mine removed I ordered a quick fix on the internet,,, (no surgery it said) ha what a joke, I fasted, drank oil and grapefruit juice, and thought it would pass the stones naturally.. no way, after scan and another attack after eating a garlic kiev (greasy food not good) i ended up getting my gall bladder removed..... Only side effects is the runs when I drink wine beer or have spicy food... but i dont miss the pain or the indigestion i used to get..... good luck with it.

[mareep]

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