Gallbladder removal experiences

[lorimay]

Had mine removed last September, not too bad as far as recovery. The pains before are way worse then the recovery.
I still have stomach issues though and now they are pushing for me to do a colonoscopy and endiscopy, I am trying to avoid both

 

[Shea&Van]

Had mine out about six weeks ago. Had three large stones and experienced one awful attack where I felt the worst pain of my life (like 10x child birth!). Anywho, surgery was okay. Said it would be 90 minutes and was nearly three hours. Three small incisions and one about 3 inches long in the center of my chest.

I had terrible gas pain in my shoulder and chest for about a week. Started to feel better after about 7-8 days later. I too have a bit of the "dumping" issue. Certain foods just don't stay very long (eggs, milk, fried foods, lettuce), but my doctor said to give it a little more time. I def don't have the terrible cramping I used to feel after eating, but the end result is the same (running to the bathroom).

I am glad it's out because I would never want to experience an attack like I had in February...it was out of this world.

Good luck to you! Prayers for a safe recovery!

 

[Chocolate Cake]

Another neat blog about gallbladder issues.

http://aroundmyhome.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-i-did-to-get-rid-of-my-gallstones.html

 

[lauradis]

Mine was 14 years ago.

Had mine out about six weeks ago. Had three large stones and experienced one awful attack where I felt the worst pain of my life (like 10x child birth!). Anywho, surgery was okay. Said it would be 90 minutes and was nearly three hours. Three small incisions and one about 3 inches long in the center of my chest.

I had terrible gas pain in my shoulder and chest for about a week. Started to feel better after about 7-8 days later. I too have a bit of the "dumping" issue. Certain foods just don't stay very long (eggs, milk, fried foods, lettuce), but my doctor said to give it a little more time. I def don't have the terrible cramping I used to feel after eating, but the end result is the same (running to the bathroom).

I am glad it's out because I would never want to experience an attack like I had in February...it was out of this world.

Good luck to you! Prayers for a safe recovery!

Give it sometime, it took my body 6 months to go back to normal eating. Just eat smaller meals, avoid what is annoying your tummy.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, my sister is getting her gallbladder out TODAY! She made it without having another major attack.

 

[Laura66]

I had mine removed in 2003 because of gallstones and way too many painful attacks, plus constantly feeling full and having to throw up pretty much after every meal to relieve the constant full feeling (TMI, I know.) That's how I knew I had the gallstones-I had an ultrasound to determine the source of the fullness issue. The surgery itself wasn't a problem, three small incisions and minimal pain-was back to work a little over a week later. Since then, though, I am one of those people who has to know where the restroom is everywhere that I go, especially if I'm going to be eating something. The things that have me running to the restroom are sometimes random and not what you'd expect-fried, greasy foods are fine, but salad is a nightmare so I avoid it for the most part, and anything else has the potential to cause the same reaction. I also have issues with bile reflux, which means I usually throw up bile several mornings a week as soon as I get up. I haven't been offered a solution for that by any doctor I've mentioned it to, so perhaps there isn't one. To be fair, though, I've had gastrointestinal issues pretty much my whole life so it's possible these things could have cropped up regardless of whether I'd had my gallbladder removed.

Ask your doctor about Cholestyramine. It really has been a miracle drug for me. It didn't matter if I had a cracker or an onion ring - I needed to be near a restroom.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Guess I am an odd case. I had mine out several years ago. I never had any symptoms before or after. Only discovered it needed removing after going for my annual physical. Doctor said some of the results he did on a liver enzyme test he did came back as odd. So I had some sort of test to check gall bladder and liver and it turns out my gall bladder was only operating at 7% of what it should be. Ate anything I wanted before and after it came out.

 

[sj&k]

Ask your doctor about Cholestyramine. It really has been a miracle drug for me. It didn't matter if I had a cracker or an onion ring - I needed to be near a restroom.

I will ask about that, thanks. I stopped mentioning that issue at the doctor's office after a while because it seemed not to be terribly important to them, but after dealing with this issue for so long it has become important to me. If there is something that will possibly relieve at least that issue I am willing to try it!

 

[oneandonlytara]

I just had mine taken out a week ago today. It was done laparoscopically. I have, I believe, four incisions. One in my belly button, two on my right side and one kind of on my sternum area. It was literally the easiest surgery besides wisdom teeth removal that I've had, and I've had a lot. They removed it through my belly button, while the other incisions are/were basically ports for the instruments. My only trigger pre-op was gravy. I was diagnosed in December and stuck to a pretty low fat or fat free diet until surgery to avoid any attacks. I still had them occasionally (and had one really bad one early morning on Easter Sunday,) but it was manageable.

One thing I will say is that the carbon dioxide gas pain was the absolute worst part for me. Mine was all in my abdomen/lower back and nothing could have prepared me for what that would feel like. It was like menstrual cramps on steroids times 500. Some people experience it in their shoulder, but mine didn't travel up there until later when I got home and went to lie down again in bed. I couldn't lay flat on my back or roll to the right side. I had to lay propped up on my left for the first few nights and it was torture. I'm a tummy sleeper so I hated not being able to sleep however I wanted. It's only been the last two nights that I can sleep on my tummy without it being super sore. I've still got some belly button pain, but it's hardly anything to complain about. I also have a pretty high pain tolerance and required nothing but regular tylenol and motrin post op. I think I took a dilaudid before bed the first two nights, but that was more to ensure I'd sleep comfortably than severe pain. I didn't even get the prescription filled that the surgeon gave me. It was just Tylenol #2 anyway. I had stronger, more effective stuff at home if I needed it.

As far as eating goes, I've been ok thus far. I'm still playing it safe because I've heard stories of immediately needing the washroom after eating, but I'm going to a brunch on Sunday so I plan to indulge a bit. It's my 30th birthday next week as well, so it's nice to have that leeway to eat whatever I'd like within moderation. I ate pizza 24 hours after surgery and was absolutely fine. My surgeon also gave the go ahead to eat whatever I'd like as long as I can tolerate it.

I go see her Monday to have the dressings removed. This really was a breeze and I'm so glad to be well again.

Good luck to you!

 

[NJS36]

I had a severe attack last Monday and went into the hospital, at my primary docs insistence. Blood work showed my liver enzymes were extremely elevated and lipase (pancreatic enzyme) was elevated as well. This attack caused pancreatitis. Not fun! I was on IV fluids for 3 days and was not allowed to eat or drink, not even water. The reason for this was to see if my enzymes decreased. Thankfully they did. If not, a stone was suspected of blocking the bile duct to my pancreas and I would have needed an ERCP. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heal...etrograde_cholangiopancreatography_92,P07716/. Instead, I had an MRI to check and no stones were found in my duct. Surgery was a go for Thursday, and another day with nothing by mouth. Thursday night I had the surgery and ate a turkey sandwich and jello at 3:00 AM. It was the best food I'd ever had! The next day I was in a lot of pain but just so happy to have no diet restrictions. Left the hospital at 4:00 PM, and have been eating normally since. In the hospital I had a cheeseburger and I was fine. I have been taking colace stool softener and had my first BM yesterday but it was pure liquid...sorry for the graphics. No cramps, stomach pain, etc. Honestly, I feel great. I guess I didn't realize how badly I'd felt for the past four years. If I end up with some diarrhea, it's still better than what I was feeling before the surgery. I had chronic diarrhea from the gallbladder disease anyway. Oh, one thing....I'm still in a lot of pain from the surgery on day four and taking my pain meds. My c-section was easier for me and I am so surprised at the pain. Coughing feels like I'm being stabbed or tearing out my staples. Again, it's better than a gallbladder attack. Hope this helps.

 

[Lynne M]

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.

I had my gall bladder out 10 years ago. I just finished an Arby's Beef and Cheddar sandwich with fries and a cherry turnover. That answer your question?

Seriously, no, the side effects aren't awful. There really haven't been any for me, and my diet has never been restricted at all because of the surgery. My digestion was wonky after the surgery, but the surgeon told me at my post op visit to try eating a high-fiber cereal every day, and since then I've been fine. And if the problems persist, there are medications that can help.

And let me tell you, I had no post op discomfort that was as bad as any of my gall bladder attacks.

 

[Hrhpd]

Guess I am an odd case. I had mine out several years ago. I never had any symptoms before or after. Only discovered it needed removing after going for my annual physical. Doctor said some of the results he did on a liver enzyme test he did came back as odd. So I had some sort of test to check gall bladder and liver and it turns out my gall bladder was only operating at 7% of what it should be. Ate anything I wanted before and after it came out.

I am a bit odd too except that I did have an attack before having mine removed. I had it done laparoscopically even though one stone was so large they almost had to open me up. Went home the same day and went to a dinner party the next evening. Surgeon told me that I had no food restrictions after the surgery and I never had a problem. It has been 10 years and still no problems. I can eat anything I want and don't notice any difference.

 

[jillymom8]

I had mine out about 3 yrs ago it seemed to go ok except i was very sick from anesthesia so kept over night and released next day. Readmitted 3 days later ended up with a huge DVT in my leg. Since that i have been fine.

 

[NJS36]

I had mine out about 3 yrs ago it seemed to go ok except i was very sick from anesthesia so kept over night and released next day. Readmitted 3 days later ended up with a huge DVT in my leg. Since that i have been fine.

Did your doc give you any anticoagulant injections before the surgery? I had two, both in the abdomen. So far so good and on day 4.

 

[NJS36]

Would you consider keeping your gallbladder? A good friend of mine had two very bad attacks last year. Went to doctor. Like your initial physician, she was a very ride and pushy doctor. Friend just had a bad feeling about getting an important organ (yes the gallbladder is very important) removed. Doctor totally blew her off and wanted to set a date for removal.

Friend went home, did research and immediately started taking Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar with water twice a day. Never had an attack again.

Quackery? Perhaps. But there are many people online with the same wonderful results. She swears by it and even takes it along on Girls' Weekend. I tried it. Very diluted, not bad. But, it is something I would have to get use to in order to take everyday

I had my gall bladder out 10 years ago. I just finished an Arby's Beef and Cheddar sandwich with fries and a cherry turnover. That answer your question?

Seriously, no, the side effects aren't awful. There really haven't been any for me, and my diet has never been restricted at all because of the surgery. My digestion was wonky after the surgery, but the surgeon told me at my post op visit to try eating a high-fiber cereal every day, and since then I've been fine. And if the problems persist, there are medications that can help.

And let me tell you, I had no post op discomfort that was as bad as any of my gall bladder attacks.

I agree with you. My surgery, although painful, was nothing like a gallbladder attack. If you don't remove a diseased gallbladder you could end up with pancreatitis like I did. That can be life-threatening! Last night I had pizza with no problems...3 days post surgery.

 

[HannaBelle]

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!

I had mine out years ago, have no residual issues and was so sorry I waited so long!

 

[littlebit167278]

I had my gallbladder out in 2010. I had a lot of heartburn and back pain with mine. Thankfully I didn't have a ton of pain like my husband. I had an ultrasound and that didn't show anything so I had a hidascan. That showed that my gallbladder was only functioning at 20% so it had to come out. I was very sore after but I was able to eat food again for awhile. Shortly after having it removed I started having very runny and explosive stools. It was terrible!!! I would bring it up to the doctor and they said I had dumping syndrome and to eat more fiber. That didn't help at all but I kept trying. It was so hard to go anywhere or do anything because I never knew when I would have to go to the bathroom and if I would make it in time. My stomach would start cramping up and it was like I have to get to the bathroom asap.

 

[littlebit167278]

I will ask about that, thanks. I stopped mentioning that issue at the doctor's office after a while because it seemed not to be terribly important to them, but after dealing with this issue for so long it has become important to me. If there is something that will possibly relieve at least that issue I am willing to try it!

I was starting to wish that I didn't have my gallbladder taking out because I couldn't eat anything without being right next to the bathroom. When I had to go it was like I have to go NOW!! My stomach would cramp up and I was almost in tears because the pain and urgency was so intense. I could go up to 7 times a day. My regular doctor sent me to a GI doctor and he gave me some medication called Welchol. He said that about 30% of people who get their gallbladders out have this problem with regulating the bile. Basically your liver just dumps the bile out fast because it doesn't go through the gallbladder so it isn't dripping out like it does for most people. It's call Bile Acid Induced Diarrhea and Welchol is used to bind up that bile. I noticed a huge difference after I started taking it. I still have issues every now and then but nothing like I used to. My husband and I can go out to eat and I can actually eat food and then go do something without worrying where the bathroom is. Hoping you are able to get relief soon.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I am glad I had mine out. I was in a lot of pain in the months leading up to its removal (they had trouble diagnosing the issue). The recovery was pretty easy, and the side effects aren't horrible. Certain foods don't sit well, but that is...um....quickly remedied. Salads, really greasy burgers, and sausage biscuits are the worst culprits. As far as surgeries go, I would have this one again if gallbladders grew back.

 

[DVC-Don]

I had mine out 10 years ago and my IBS got a LOT worse after. I deal with it though and am glad I will not have another attack.