What life is after gall bladder removal?

ryden · Silver Member Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Posts: 293

Hello. I'm 37 year old female and I would like to find some information for my husband. You see, about few days ago he started to feel terrible pains located in his middle abdomen region. After a day or two his skin became almost yellow and that’s when we took him to see a doctor. After X-ray he determined that he has a big stone in his gall bladder and that he will need an operation. He still doesn’t know the date of operation but it could be the nest week or so. Now, my husband is pretty depressed because he has heard that life could be miserable after gall bladder removal and that things will never be the same. Please tell me this isn’t truth!?

elizabeth · Silver Member Joined: 21 Oct 2000 Posts: 234

Hi. I think I could help you because I was a medical nurse more then 25 years. I know some facts about life after gall bladder removal and I can insure you that there is nothing miserable in it.
You husband won't miss his gall bladder- believe me because removing of it will just relieve his symptoms. The main function of gall bladder is storage of bile but many people don’t know that removing it does not stop the flow of bile directly into an intestine.
After your husband has his gall bladder removed, he will be started on clear liquids again, then full liquids and finally a regular diet. In future he should avoid too greasy and too spicy food because this food with red or black pepper may cause some discomfort for persons with gall bladder disease but not necessarily.
Whole grain cereals and breads, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables should be included in his daily menu.

theresa1205 · Newbie Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

Guest · Guest

I agree with the person above I have the same problems............nauseah diarreah, vommiting and constant stomach cramps and spasmsm I feel worser now dont do it if u really dont have too.......

Guest · Guest

I had mine removed a year ago and I had no problems. Walking around eating what I liked...even tho I wasnt spose to. I think it depends on the individual. Some heal faster than others. What I have been getting since the operation is recurring thrush. I am 40yrs old and before I had the operation I only ever had thrush once in my lifetime. Within the year after the operation I have had it maybe 5 times. Very annoying and uncomfortable.

Guest · Guest

By now your husband should have had his cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) and I am sure his results have been fabuloous. I am a 43 y/o female and had mine removed 8 years ago when they did the big 6" scar .. prior to laporoscopic surgeries .... No problems .. just had to watch dairy and greasy/spicey foods about 8wks post-op. Caused diarrhea... 8 years later I have had no complications... in fact I lost about 60 pounds because I started watching my diet and eating what I should ... I was overweight so it really helped.

Guest · Guest

Dear Theresa,

I am 33 yrs old guy , I live in Hong Kong. I had removal of my gall bladder 2,5years ago. Problems began immediately after the operation. At the beginning there was only bad dirahea. after 2,5years I still have the dirahea. I also had the very similar problems like you. After eating, nausea, fullness, acid refulx, burning, in my stomach etc.. No doctor can solve it so far. They all say that I have nothing wrong. But, my symptoms are getting worse. I am not at your point now but I am close. I didnt vomit yet for example but getting worse. I feel all alone with my problem. Do you think we can find some body (like a doctor) who understands us and advice something to us?
Murat

Guest · Guest

Ericka · Newbie Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

Hello,
Today is 1-25-07 I just had my Gall Bladder removed on 1-22, and I can tell you life after having the gall bladder removed is pretty normal. After coming home from the hospital I was on a liquid diet but now I am eating solid foods. Yesterday I ate a philly cheese steak sandwhich which DID NOT bother me at ALL. The only discomfort I am feeling is air in my stomach. During surgery your Dr will pump a small amount of air into your husbands tummy. They can not remove all the air so some is left behind to come out on its own. The left behind air causes pain in the shoulders as well. It kinda feels like a tooth-ache in my shoulders. I am told this to will go away. After just having the surgery I can tell you, that it is not like the stories others has told me. My advise to your husband is ask your surgeon lots and lots of questions until he is sure about the surgery. Best of luck, and remember everything will be fine.

kriket · Guest

Hi I am a 35 year old female and had my gall baldder removed 5 years ago after having a very painful attack that came out of the blue. I believe the operation has contributed to 5 years of health issues, concerns not to mention a substantail financial cost. Initialy I did recover quite quickly and seemed to have very little problems except diarrhea and occassional bloating. However within 1 - 1.5 years I developed many symptoms that progressively got worse - severe bloating, quesy stomach, severe joint pain, tiredness, brain fog, lethargy, irritability, rashes and more. I visited doctors and specialists time and again nad had many tests done - nothing came back conclusive but most tests showed 'something' was not right. I became desperate and felt very alone as I realised my symptoms were getting worse and not only effecting me but also my family - I began to rapidly lose weight (15 kgs in a few months) and then stopped getting my period (for 18 months)- I had always been regular. Eventually I ran out of options and visited a Spanish trained naturaopath and iridologist who ended up being a life saver and diagnosed me in 1 hour - I had developed a food allergy which I later identified to be gluten and yeast. After months of strict diets, acupuncture and other alterternative therapies I slowly recovered, but have only now - 2 years later begun to regain any real weight. I have done tremendous amounts of research over this time into nutrition, the major organs and bodily functions and believe the trauma my body went through after having my gall bladder removed (after the operation the surgeon admitted there was possibly no reason to have removed my gallbladder as the tiny stone had passed) significantly contributed to my food intolerance and health problems. whilst I believe many medical procedures are beneficial and lifesaving, I believe we must take full responsibility for our bodies and gain as much information as possible before undertaking any surgery or prescribing to any drug regime. Alot can be done through diet, exercise and understanding how your body works. Arm yourself with lots of knowledge - it is time consuming and hard work - but not as much as getting a malnourished and sick body back on track. Good luck

What life is after gall bladder removal?

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