Anybody had their gallbladder removed?

[Ironhorse]

Had mine out about 8 years ago. Attacks were getting so bad I thought I was really going to die one night. Even a milkshake would set me off.

One side effect of it being gone is that depending on the fatty food I eat (seems to be selective), after 30-45 minutes it is fun bathroom time... 💩

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by photon

I was having what everyone told me was gallbladder attacks, even went to emergency once it was so bad. Got sent for an MRI, they couldn't find any stones (or blockages or knots or anything else). Asked my doctor what the problem was she shrugged lol. Eventually they went away, but I couldn't imagine living with that for a year while waiting for surgery.

Me too! The pain was worse than labour. Easily. Although that may partly be because at least with labour you understand the pain. With undiagnosed extreme stomach pain it did give me concern that I might, in fact, be dying.

Anyways my pain episodes were kicked off by laproscopic appendectomy and have flared up a few times in the past few years, but they can't see any stones on ultrasound or CT scan. I hope your surgery goes well dissentowner - I think the fact that they know for sure it's your gallbladder is a good thing!!

[photon]

Originally Posted by Peanut

Me too! The pain was worse than labour. Easily.

Wow that's crazy, yeah my wife was driving me and I felt every single seam in the pavement lol.

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by photon

Wow that's crazy, yeah my wife was driving me and I felt every single seam in the pavement lol.

That sounds a lot like when my appendix burst when I was a kid. The drive to the Children's Hospital was tantamount to torture.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by photon

Wow that's crazy, yeah my wife was driving me and I felt every single seam in the pavement lol.

I don't miss the attacks at all. First time I went to the hospital, the nurses at Rockyview rushed me in fairly quickly because I looked like I was ready to die. After that, it was mostly down to being careful with what I ate to prevent attacks. Screwed up once while in Drayton Valley. Did you know the hospital there locked the emergency room door, and I had to ring a doorbell to get in? The third attack was enough that hospital staff bumped me up for surgery. Think I only waited about seven or eight weeks. Luckily.

[rd_aaron]

I know natural remedies aren't typically well received, and I am even skeptical of lots of stuff I hear myself, but my mother had gallstones and all she did was drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water (you can use apple juice to help mask the taste) every single day. The gallstones eventually dissolved/no more gallbladder attacks. I believe there was also lemon & honey involved.

Just googling it, it looks like the above (and other options) are a good quick way to help reduce gallbladder pain so it might be worth a try to help reduce attacks/pain until the surgery.

[Puppet Guy]

The gallbladder may have to go, but never lose your gall.

[socalwingfan]

My wife tried the natural remedies - they didn't help her at all. She is also a vegan and eats the most bland diet on the planet, so although food is a big trigger for most people, I don't think everyone is affected by what they eat

[T@T]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

My wife tried the natural remedies - they didn't help her at all. She is also a vegan and eats the most bland diet on the planet, so although food is a big trigger for most people, I don't think everyone is affected by what they eat

My BIL was the same way, always ate like a rabbit but yet needed his out, my last 4 or 5 attacks didn't come from eating the wrong foods either(was too scared to eat those) it just had to come out I guess.

[Fahrns]

Had mine out 11 months ago. Had severe pains one day and the following morning at 2am I eventually drove myself to Foothills Emerge. Had an ultrasound that morning and by 4pm was under the knife (well it was laproscopic actually). Apparently it was packed solid with stones including the duct and was swelling up bad. Lucky for me there was an opening in surgery and I was home by noon the following day. Recovery was 4 weeks before I was playing hockey again. The first 5 days sucked though.

For about 6 months I would get phantom pains once every couple weeks. I was pretty good with my diet but I've been pushing it lately. Fatty food and dairy goes through me fast now.

I consider myself really lucky as I couldn't imagine putting up with the pain for months. Kudos to you folks who have or are still suffering. FYI, both if my parents have had theirs removed. It's hereditary in my family.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[MRCboicgy]

Mom did, and found she can't eat greasy food now - which is tough since she loves poutine. Either way, probably a healthier thing all around

[WilsonFourTwo]

My Mom had her's out many, many years ago but insists that the pain of an attack was far greater than labor.

I had mine removed about 2 years ago. At first the attacks were every couple of weeks, then became weekly, and eventually were every other day. No pain like it, and I cannot stress the relief that came with having that useless hunk of flesh removed.

Post-operative pain (bloating, soreness from the incisions, etc) was gone within ~72 hours and easily managed with pain meds - and it was a picnic compared to the actual gallbladder troubles.

Since the surgery, I haven't had to restrict my diet at all nor has there been any recurring pain or heartburn.

Dissentowner - do yourself a favor and keep checking in with the doctor. Appointments get cancelled/rescheduled all the time and if your schedule is flexible, you may be able to sneak in sooner rather than later. In my case, the original appointment was ~8 months out but through some dumb luck, I was actually in the OR within about a week (9 days iirc).

And of course, if things get progressively worse, talk to your doctor again. If there's a chance that the gallbladder is going to burst, they'll rush you in asap.

[dissentowner]

So I am scheduled for this Monday morning. They will try the lapro way first but might not be possible due to previous surgery on my stomach. Thank god this will be over with.

[socalwingfan]

Best of luck!!! My wife getting her's removed was life changing for her, the incredible pain gone completely

[Puppet Guy]

Hope all goes well with surgery and the recovery.

[transplant99]

Yup...good luck with the surgery. I have been waiting for mine to act up as i have been told it will at some point. Apparently its a hereditary thing and i have 6 direct relatives who have all suffered through it and eventually had the surgery.

[billybob123]

Just imagine how awesomely delicious and fatty your first post surgery meal can be! Good luck with the surgery.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by billybob123

Just imagine how awesomely delicious and fatty your first post surgery meal can be! Good luck with the surgery.

Yeah, I am all about a big greasy pizza!

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by billybob123

Just imagine how awesomely delicious and fatty your first post surgery meal can be! Good luck with the surgery.

Don't forget to ensure you are near a usable toilet afterwards...

[dissentowner]

Update: typing this from a hospital bed. Had to have it the old way so I have a massive scar with a drain plug in it right now. They tried lapro but it was a no go so I have holes from that too Morphine is my best friend right now! Going to be off work 6-8 weeks.