Have you had your gallbladder removed? ?

Question

Recently, after severe upper abdominal pain and a 4 day hospital stay, I was told I had a gallstone. Since then i haven't had the excruciating pain but almost everyday I have nausea and/or vomiting and an overall sour feeling stomach. I'm considering the surgery but am wondering what to expect after the surgery and will I have digestive problems from the lack of a gallbladder. Any info will be greatly appreciated. THANKS :)

Answer 1

I had my gallbladder removed in Jan of 05 and since then i have had to deal with constant diarhea   for the fist 6 months i could not eat salad of any sort now whenever i drank soda or eat fried foods i would have to go

Answer 2

I'm concerned that your galbladder may be diseased and may need to be removed whether you want it or not.  that's what happened to me, and I had similar symptoms that got worse over time and I didn't take action until it was too late.  By too late, I mean every inch of my body hurt.  I could feel my kneecaps in my knees.  I had my galbladder out about a year and a half ago.  At first, it is hard to figure out what to eat that won't upset your stomach.  You need to avoid fatty foods and foods with a lot of preservatives (a nurse gave me the tip about preservatives).  Preservatives are in most foods but there's a ton in most pre-mixed salad in a bag.  Basically if you eat things that irritate you, you'll be running for the bathroom about an hour or so after eating.  I actually spoke with digestive specialist not long after mine was removed.  He told me it can take up to a year for your body to adjust and that there is something I could add to my food but if I started I would always need it, so it was better that I take the time to adjust.  I would like to mention that the stomach pain and rushing to restroom after having your galbladder removed will not be everyday.  It's only if you eat something bad.  Also, for me as time went on I got somewhat better.  Now I can have small amounts of most things.  Good luck.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  Also, the gallstones can cause your common bile duct to become inflamed and swell shut, which can affect your liver and require two more procedures.  I had that fun experience as well.  It was caused by a delayed diagnosis.

Answer 3

After a few months you feel fine. There is a slight readjustment period as far as diet is concerned. And you should limit fatty foods forever - which everyone should do with and without their gallbladders. I had mine removed about 16 years ago. My 17 year old daughter had hers removed about 7 months ago.

Answer 4

My mother had the old surgery years ago.

Sometimes, she still gets "twinges" like the gallbladder is still there.

She's not able to eat certain foods like she used to, such as cheese products or greens...makes her very bloated and gassy because her body has to metabolize differently.

But, it's better than the alternative to not getting it removed.

Answer 5

I had mine removed, (it was not functioning) and the only thing I can not eat is pizza hut pizza.  Your gallbladder processes fat.  without it sometimes the fat or greasy foods come sliding out.

But I had my surgey at 8 am, and at 8 at night was baby sitting for my neighbors 5 children.  She had a new baby and blew her lung. so it was an emergency.  But I had 6 kids of my own and was cooking the next day.  The doctor told me to limit the stairs for a few days, we went to a valentine dinner and dance 2 days later. I felt great.

Answer 6

No but my son's father did. It affected his ability to play sports(football) and he is more vulnerable to infection- but he leads a normal active life.

Answer 7

I had my gallbladder removed and the surgery is simple, keyhole surgery.  There is a little post operative pain but that is all.  As far as digestion goes, they say the gallbladder is redundant and I have noticed no change in my digestion since the surgery.

Answer 8

You have to be careful.  Removing your gallbladder will only help if your problem is your gallbladder.  The gallbladder should only be removed if it is infected - acute or chronic cholecystitis, if the gallbladder stone is stuck in the neck of the gallbladder, or if you had gallstone pancreatitis, or if your gallbladder does not squeeze well, called biliary dyskinesia, or if you have a gallstone stuck in the bile duct - called choledocholithiais.  If you have this, you not only need your gallbladder removed, but you need a procedure called an ERCP.

don't take this lightly.  As you can see from the previous answers, many people take surgery lightly these days.  Every surgery is not without complications.  It should only be done if it is indicated as I stated above.  15% of people who have their gallbladder removed will have diarrhea daily, and this requires a medication to be taken everyday.