Who's had their gallbladder out?

Emp_Fab

I've just had a letter from the hospital that says, basically, "Can we 'ave your gallbladder then?".

I'm not entirely sure mine needs removing as I had only one attack of pain in 2018 and nothing since.

Have you had yours removed, and if so, what changes did you notice after?

EricTheWeary

My mother did, quite a long time ago now. She's avoided certain foods since ( such as spicey food) but I'm uncertain how much of that is to do with her missing gall bladder and how much is her general hypochondria. 
Beyond that I don't think it has greatly impacted on her life, she's a fairly healthy 92 year old now. 

Blackdream

My wife had gallstones early last year, it made her very poorly and she needed a week in hospital and a further two off work. They took her gallbladder out a couple of months later. She’s been fine ever since, no ill effects at all. In fact she’s felt a lot better for having it removed.

Roland

My gall bladder was removed six years ago. Without it there’s a limit to how much oil and fat I can consume before incurring diarrhoea-like symptoms. The reason for taking it out now is that it can be removed by keyhole surgery. Whereas, if removed whilst inflamed, there’s a risk of major surgery and much longer recovery time.

dindude

Had mine out a few years ago, surgeon said it was the worst case he’d seen of packed Gallstones in 20 years of doing it, which explains why an overnight stay turned into two weeks in hospital - yours will be fine I’m sure! 

Anyway, haven’t adjusted anything at all since, just nice not to get crippling attacks. 

Fuengi

I get periodic gallstone discomfort having gone to a high fat / low carb diet since February last year.

The gallbladder ceases to function on a low fat diet because it produces bile to break down fats, and there isn't much work around. With the lack of bile production the bile in the gallbladder hardens and can produce stones which are painful when passed.

Therefore, switching to a higher fat diet is a it like flushing out kidney stones by drinking lots of water. I've never heard a surgeon suggest removing a kidney because of stones! 

The discomfort is shorter and the episodes further apart now. I'm hoping to see the end of it soon! One of the benefits of having a healthy functioning gallbladder is that you can absorb nutrients more efficiently. 

It's probably worth looking to see if any dietary changes can help before having surgery because, contrary to popular belief, the gallbladder does serve a useful function. 

Dav275

Had mine out about 10 years ago, aged 48.  One and only attack was so painful it knocked me out and was then carted off to hospital for 2 weeks. 

This happened at the end of the evening on a first date with a new girlfriend.  Not the way I expected the evening to end!  Still, I guess I got the sympathy vote, cos she's now my wife.

Scheduled for keyhole surgery a couple of months later, but they hit a problem which meant I had the full "cut & shut" procedure. No ill effects apart from a 6" scar and the occasional diarrhoea-like symptoms, previously mentioned.

Emp_Fab

I read that gallstones cannot be passed like kidney stones.  They remain in the gallbladder or end up lodged in the bile duct or pancreas which can be a life-threatening situation.

Fuengi

Emp_Fab said:

I read that gallstones cannot be passed like kidney stones.  They remain in the gallbladder or end up lodged in the bile duct or pancreas which can be a life-threatening situation.

Interesting! That's not my understanding but I'll look into it. 

Fuengi

Emp_Fab said:

I read that gallstones cannot be passed like kidney stones.  They remain in the gallbladder or end up lodged in the bile duct or pancreas which can be a life-threatening situation.

Several references alvailable online to confirm you can pass Gallstones through the bile duct into the small bowel. You're right that if stuck they can cause problems around the pancreas.

https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=d2c59840-52c0-4407-9e1a-202b3861a3a4

I have had four or five episodes of gallbladder discomfort, usually a hot water bottle placed on the ribs for a couple of hours sorts it out.

Wazmeister

Emp_Fab said:

I read that gallstones cannot be passed like kidney stones.  They remain in the gallbladder or end up lodged in the bile duct or pancreas which can be a life-threatening situation.

This is true Emp...

I had mine out about 3 years ago, after having some VERY painful attacks.

I knew when they were coming as my right shoulder would ache; the nerve passes this way from the GB apparently.

Some people can still have pain after the op; but Ive been fortunate. Tend to have a 'loose' episode once a month, or after Ive eaten fast food, other wise good !

underdog

My wife almost died last year after a specialist told her she didn't need hers out, 10 days later she was hours from death. Stones had blocked the duct and she was in real danger.

boogieman

EricTheWeary said:

My mother did, quite a long time ago now. She's avoided certain foods since ( such as spicey food) but I'm uncertain how much of that is to do with her missing gall bladder and how much is her general hypochondria. 
Beyond that I don't think it has greatly impacted on her life, she's a fairly healthy 92 year old now. 

Similar story with my mum, she had to have hers removed about 30 years back due to a massive spiky gallstone. It was a major operation back then and she was in hospital for about a week. Nowadays it can apparently be done with keyhole surgery. Initially she avoided things like high fat foods and cream but nowadays she eats anything, with seemingly no issues. She virtually lives on scones, cakes and biscuits and was 94 a couple of months ago. 

TTony

Emp_Fab said:

I've just had a letter from the hospital that says, basically, "Can we 'ave your gallbladder then?".

I'm not entirely sure mine needs removing as I had only one attack of pain in 2018 and nothing since.

Have you had yours removed, and if so, what changes did you notice after?

I’m pretty sure you can do it yourself.  Bound to be some YT vids.

Does presence of gall bladder affect the comfort of sitting?

steveledzep

TTony said:

Emp_Fab said:

I've just had a letter from the hospital that says, basically, "Can we 'ave your gallbladder then?".

I'm not entirely sure mine needs removing as I had only one attack of pain in 2018 and nothing since.

Have you had yours removed, and if so, what changes did you notice after?

I’m pretty sure you can do it yourself.  Bound to be some YT vids.

Does presence of gall bladder affect the comfort of sitting?

It evidently affects the comfort of driving 

badlydrawnbanjo

Me, a around 5 years ago at the age of 40. Suffered for a few years undiagnosed prior and then got a serious blockage and spent about 3 weeks in hospital with various complications. I didn’t realise how poorly I actually was at the time but once it was removed I’ve not had any problems at all. I can eat anything without concern 

EricTheWeary

boogieman said:

EricTheWeary said:

My mother did, quite a long time ago now. She's avoided certain foods since ( such as spicey food) but I'm uncertain how much of that is to do with her missing gall bladder and how much is her general hypochondria. 
Beyond that I don't think it has greatly impacted on her life, she's a fairly healthy 92 year old now. 

Similar story with my mum, she had to have hers removed about 30 years back due to a massive spiky gallstone. It was a major operation back then and she was in hospital for about a week. Nowadays it can apparently be done with keyhole surgery. Initially she avoided things like high fat foods and cream but nowadays she eats anything, with seemingly no issues. She virtually lives on scones, cakes and biscuits and was 94 a couple of months ago. 

My mother has had all sorts of bits removed over the years, I’m amazed she’s not hollow on the inside. She weighs about 20 stone so I’m fairly sure she isn’t hollow. 

Ddigger

Missus had hers out.

Keyhole surgery means that you look like you have been stabbed three times.

Emp_Fab

My only attack consisted of agonising pain just under the bottom of my right ribcage that no painkillers touched (even the hospital ones).  The pain suddenly and instantly vanished completely when I lay down horizontal on the bed in A&E.  It was the strangest experience ever.  For a few hours prior, I was in agony.  Immediately before lying down, I was crying out with pain - loudly.  Then it went....  completely.  It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before or since.

I had no pain and no symptoms of there being anything wrong with me at all.  The following day my urine turned dark brown no matter how much water I drank and I was aching and shivering.  I had the headache from hell for two days.  After about a week, everything returned to normal and it’s not bothered me since.

However, I have a funny feeling my gallbladder is like this game, and it’s only a matter of time!

mikeyrob73

I had mine out last year, walked into hospital at 2pm, was in theatre by 3 and home by 7. Probably rushed back to work a bit quickly and tore one on the staples out, apart from that all really straight forward. 

uncledick

Roland said:

My gall bladder was removed six years ago. Without it there’s a limit to how much oil and fat I can consume before incurring diarrhoea-like symptoms. The reason for taking it out now is that it can be removed by keyhole surgery. Whereas, if removed whilst inflamed, there’s a risk of major surgery and much longer recovery time.

This ^^^^^     Immodium is your friend  In particular, I find that eating in pubs and restaurants really 'sets things going!'  At home, I'm generally fine.  Definitely wouldn't want the pain again though.  I can remember it hurting so much I couldn't speak or cry out.  I recall the nurse (armed with a big syringe full of morphine) saying to my wife "When they go this quiet, you know they're in real pain."  As @Roland said, they won't take it out whilst it's playing up.