Gallbladder removal experiences

[annacejka]

So it seems to be that I have to get my gallbladder removed soon. I've heard afterwards the side effects are awful and you basically can't ever enjoy a greasy meal. every now and then I enjoy a good greasy burger! Or steak and cheese, whatever. Lately I have enjoyed way too of them but I want to get my eating back on track and then have a cheat meal every now and then. I wasn't thrilled with the doctor I saw, he was pushy and a jerk and didn't seem to want to slow down and get asked questions so I am going to go for a second opinion but I know there is a problem so I know we are going to end up at the same answer in the end.

So if you don't mind sharing how was your experience with it?

 

[lacy1101]

I had a very positive experience! I had surgery in November last year and was back to normal in no time. And normal includes being able to eat whatever I want, greasy or not. Good luck to you!

 

[Kae]

I just had this done last month. right now food is just ok, the pizza( it was super greasy) I ate yesterday kinda went right through me(sorry tmi) sometimes when eating I am just all of a sudden full. My friends say that lasted with them about 2 months & now they are fine. My surgery was very sudden I only had 1 attack with stones & had the surgery that day

Kae

 

[Hisgirl]

I had mine out in 2004ish. Never had the 30-second (or is it minute) runs, or issues with grease but I do feel fuller quickly and have learned to not eat really greasy meals because sometimes I feel a little icky after but no diarrhea. The worst part for me was how painful my tummy felt the week after surgery. As in...even holding a bottle of windex was too heavy! I sneezed and almost passed out from the pain. Apparently cutting through abdominal muscles can take a while to heal. I had the type where they cut about 4 small slits. All in all, I've been fine but have had a little bit of scar tissue pain which I've heard can be common.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I had my gall bladder out in 2009. I went to the ER with pain and ended up being admitted! I remember having to watch what I ate for a while and I still have an occasion when I have to get to the restroom pretty quickly if I eat the wrong thing. If you go out to lunch or dinner you make sure you know where the restrooms are located first thing in the door of the restaurant!

TC

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

So it seems to be that I have to get my gallbladder removed soon. I've heard afterwards the side effects are awful and you basically can't ever enjoy a greasy meal. every now and then I enjoy a good greasy burger! Or steak and cheese, whatever. Lately I have enjoyed way too of them but I want to get my eating back on track and then have a cheat meal every now and then. I wasn't thrilled with the doctor I saw, he was pushy and a jerk and didn't seem to want to slow down and get asked questions so I am going to go for a second opinion but I know there is a problem so I know we are going to end up at the same answer in the end.

So if you don't mind sharing how was your experience with it?

My DSis had hers out about 5 years ago. Now, the only thing that bothers her is caffeine! Fortunately, decaf coffee works just fine.....

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I had mine out in 2006, four weeks after giving birth.

Mine was pretty bad, I had to stay in the ICU to get the infection under control before they could remove it.

I do have to watch what I eat. My stomach can't take more than a few fries, or a few of anything fried. But really in the long run, that's about the only major thing that's lasted, and it's not a bad thing to not eat fried food.

I did have to take a pretty bland diet the first few weeks and then try one thing at a time, not a whole buffet plate of many things. Over time, I've been able to figure out what my tummy can tolerate, what to stay away from and what to barter the consequences for the pleasure of the moment.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

Had mine out in 2012 after they discovered gallstones. The pain from the 3 small incisions was minimal but I had the gas pain that traveled even up into my shoulders and chest for a day or so after, very painful, made it hard to sleep or lay down at all. I was able to eat fine for a month or so but even still now I have the (tmi) emergency bathroom issues with certain foods at least 2x a week. Mine isn't only greasy foods but random things, really no rhyme or reason to it. One day I can eat strawberries and be just fine but the next week it can go right through me. I have been seeing a gastro for it and have been on a "bile salt" type medication since a few months after my gallbladder was removed. I'm neutral on the surgery, I don't have the attacks of nausea and pain from the gallstones like I used to but I do have the emergency bathroom trips, I've gained quite a bit of weight since then, my gastro is not sure if it's because without my gallbladder my body is not processing fats correctly or if there's another cause. YMMV.

 

[already]

So it seems to be that I have to get my gallbladder removed soon. I've heard afterwards the side effects are awful and you basically can't ever enjoy a greasy meal. every now and then I enjoy a good greasy burger! Or steak and cheese, whatever. Lately I have enjoyed way too of them but I want to get my eating back on track and then have a cheat meal every now and then. I wasn't thrilled with the doctor I saw, he was pushy and a jerk and didn't seem to want to slow down and get asked questions so I am going to go for a second opinion but I know there is a problem so I know we are going to end up at the same answer in the end.

So if you don't mind sharing how was your experience with it?

Had mine out over 5 years ago.

Never had any problems eating greasy or any kind of food afterwards.

 

[annacejka]

So to those who had some minor food runs through you issues, was that like a one time someone hit the blowout button or is for hours until everything really works through your system?

I'm also terrified and I mean terrified like phobic of puke/puking. Anyone have any puking issues after?

 

[kimblebee]

I had mine out 14 years out and the only thing I have an issue with is eating tomato based foods so I have to limit lasagna, pizza, tomato sauces really. I also have had the eject button happen. For me, it's usually one and done. I haven't had an issue with throwing up either.

 

[ImDMous]

My DH had it done a few years ago after trying a non-surgical method which only worked very short term.

He hasn't had any issues with eating anything or puking. Better than new.

 

[leebee]

I had my gall bladder out 20 years ago. There were 3 large gall stones, one so large it didn't show on the ultrasound; the surgeon thought there were only two in there! Although I'd been having occasional attacks, when I had the surgery I was healthy, so there was no active infection happening in the organ itself. I had the laparoscopic surgery, so only have 3 tiny incisions (one of which is inside my bellybutton). I had minimal post-op pain; no pain at all from the incisions, and mostly just tenderness, not real pain, in my abdominal area, for a few days. I had absolutely no problem with food for about 15 years, but now I find I have to be careful if I am eating something REALLY greasy, like pepperoni-double cheese pizza or a fried fisherman's platter- or Chinese food. That could be a gall bladder issue, or the fact that I'm almost 60 and my metabolism/digestion is changing with age. I will say, it's a "one and done," hit the blow-out button situation and nothing long-lasting. All in all, I have survived without a gall bladder quite nicely!

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I had mine out last month and I have good and bad to report. I had to be opened up because of the infection and years of disease that wasn't seen until that day. After surgery my surgeon told me I was the second worst gallbladder patient he has ever had. I'd hate to see how bad number one was. I spent a week in the hospital after the surgery with a drain. After I was released they performed some tests on my liver because of all the problems with the initial surgery and they ordered an MRI. The MRI showed some of the bile ducts in my liver looking compressed. I had to have blood drawn for 5 consecutive weeks, each week the liver looked better and better before they finally decided that a second surgery wasn't needed at this time. I had a diseased gallbladder for 10 to 15 years and didn't really even know I was sick. I can't begin to tell you how much better I feel now with several weeks of recovery.

I've slowly went back to a normal diet, which included many of the things they say might cause problems with no issues at all. I feel pretty lucky in that regard considering the horror stories I read online about those issues. Good luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

[slo]

My gall bladder was removed on my 25th bday 18 years ago.

My only problem is I gain weight very very easily.
I have no problems eating different foods though.
Everyone's body reacts differently.

Good luck with your surgery.
PD being sent your way for a speedy recovery

 

[Jaya]

I had mine out ("bandaid surgery) about 20 years ago. Had it done Thursday afternoon; was back at work on Monday. I haven't had any problems with greasy food or anything else. I eat like a pig, I'm afraid.

 

[Laura66]

So it seems to be that I have to get my gallbladder removed soon. I've heard afterwards the side effects are awful and you basically can't ever enjoy a greasy meal. every now and then I enjoy a good greasy burger! Or steak and cheese, whatever. Lately I have enjoyed way too of them but I want to get my eating back on track and then have a cheat meal every now and then. I wasn't thrilled with the doctor I saw, he was pushy and a jerk and didn't seem to want to slow down and get asked questions so I am going to go for a second opinion but I know there is a problem so I know we are going to end up at the same answer in the end.

So if you don't mind sharing how was your experience with it?

I had mine out and recovered very well.
However - I am one the few who developed "dumping" syndrome. My surgeon didn not tell me about it - but some friends I know had it and filled me in. My nurse practitioner prescribed me a powder I mix in water that I take every two days that totally keeps my symptoms under control. It's been life saver! I had symptoms about 30 minutes after I ate -no matter what I ate.
Pm me if you have any questions!

 

[ez]

My daughter had hers out almost 5 years ago when she was only 16!! She has done very well with everything thankfully no major symptoms to report.

 

[minnie mum]

I had mine removed 17 years ago. Like a PP, I had it out on a Thursday and was back at work on Monday. Minimal incision pain. Gas pains for about 48 hours. I've never had any dietary or GI problems that I could link to the surgery. And I sure don't miss the recurrent gall bladder attacks or the low fat diet needed to try to avoid them.

 

[*3*Mouseketeers]

So to those who had some minor food runs through you issues, was that like a one time someone hit the blowout button or is for hours until everything really works through your system?

I'm also terrified and I mean terrified like phobic of puke/puking. Anyone have any puking issues after?

I had mine out in 2004 when my daughter was 3 months old. Very easy recovery for me, could have gone back to work the next day (office work) but I didn't. If I eat something first thing in the morning, especially something sweet like a donut, it goes right through me. One time and done. Also if I eat at a restaurant with a buffet or salad bar, that seems to go right through. Fast food and home cooked food don't bother me, even if it's greasy.