Pros/cons of gall bladder removal?
Discussion
I had mine out when I was 26 - I'm 43 now. It took the docs ages to find out what was wrong, they initially dismissed gall stones as I was too young, not overweight, and the wrong sex (!). I had cameras poked in all sorts of places, but in the end it was diagnosed by ultrasound. At that time, my specialist had never known a man so young to have gall stones.
It took me about four weeks after the op before I could sit comfortably at my desk (stomach was sore), but I have been fortunate to have no ill effects really. Fish and chips can upset me, but I can eat all manner of spicy foods no problem, I've had no weight gain problems (I'm still a 32" waist), and I'm still a '10am man'
.
It took me about four weeks after the op before I could sit comfortably at my desk (stomach was sore), but I have been fortunate to have no ill effects really. Fish and chips can upset me, but I can eat all manner of spicy foods no problem, I've had no weight gain problems (I'm still a 32" waist), and I'm still a '10am man'
. 
crofty1984 said:
Sorry to drag this up again - what's the recovery like? I mean I won't be immobile the day after I'm assuming. As long as I can hobble round the house to get to the loo I'm all good.
This was 4-5 weeks laterhttps://youtu.be/7UBBNHj3Zf0
Although I really shouldn't have
but gives you an idea.Had mine out a couple of years ago now. I was admitted onto the Emergency Surgery ward after seeing my doctor with Gallstones & Acute Pancreatitis.
I was in for a total of 7 days, 5 off those hooked to a drip getting meds and fluids so I was well enough for surgery. Surgery on day 6 via key hole (four incisions though) and discharged the following day. I went back to work 2 days later. I had a follow up MRI about 10 days after surgery as my gall bladder exploded when they tried to remove it and therefore deposited all its gritty contents inside me.
Side effects - still get sore cramp like sensations where the gall bladder was (muscle damage maybe). Reduced appetite, get full very quickly. Can't drink too much coffee, two cups a day is pushing it, alcohol is a definite no no, as is very spicy food.
I was in for a total of 7 days, 5 off those hooked to a drip getting meds and fluids so I was well enough for surgery. Surgery on day 6 via key hole (four incisions though) and discharged the following day. I went back to work 2 days later. I had a follow up MRI about 10 days after surgery as my gall bladder exploded when they tried to remove it and therefore deposited all its gritty contents inside me.
Side effects - still get sore cramp like sensations where the gall bladder was (muscle damage maybe). Reduced appetite, get full very quickly. Can't drink too much coffee, two cups a day is pushing it, alcohol is a definite no no, as is very spicy food.
Johnspex said:
I had mine out 4 years ago.
It's essential to have it done, or so I was told. I believe peritonitis can set in and kill you.
I eat anything now BUT if I don't take my medication twice a day (colestyramine) backed up with loperamide the effect on my bowels within MINUTES of eating is catastrophic. I can't venture far from a toilet. It also led to weepage and soreness that led my doctor, on examination, to say " Oh God , you poor man".
A gastro-enterologist friend said a number of patients end up with diarrhoea for the rest of their lives
However, as I said, on the medication I'm absolutely fine.
Get it done.
My Daughter and my Sons girlfriend both had the op 2 years ago and both have no problems.It's essential to have it done, or so I was told. I believe peritonitis can set in and kill you.
I eat anything now BUT if I don't take my medication twice a day (colestyramine) backed up with loperamide the effect on my bowels within MINUTES of eating is catastrophic. I can't venture far from a toilet. It also led to weepage and soreness that led my doctor, on examination, to say " Oh God , you poor man".
A gastro-enterologist friend said a number of patients end up with diarrhoea for the rest of their lives
However, as I said, on the medication I'm absolutely fine.
Get it done.
My Wife had the op last year and she has been suffering from diarrhea since.
My wife had pancreatitis 20 years ago. Our doctor was on holiday and the relief didn't think she was in pain.
Later admitted to hospital and three days later she had the op. Not keyhole, the full open door.
Ten days later she felt able to go for walks in the countryside.
She has a high fibre diet as advised. She has foods which she used to enjoy but now 'can't face', such as fish. She has only recently been able to each cheese on toast.
She has been relieved of symptoms which she was unaware were related to her inflamed gall bladder.
Later admitted to hospital and three days later she had the op. Not keyhole, the full open door.
Ten days later she felt able to go for walks in the countryside.
She has a high fibre diet as advised. She has foods which she used to enjoy but now 'can't face', such as fish. She has only recently been able to each cheese on toast.
She has been relieved of symptoms which she was unaware were related to her inflamed gall bladder.
sparks_E39 said:
I have suspected gallstones and am due a bloodtest in two weeks.. then an ultrasound. Pain normally comes on after eating a heavy meal. Dreading an operation.
Well I had the Ultrasound and no gallstones, doctor prescribed me omeprazole and the pain is mostly gone, every now and again a slight twinge but the doc reckons nothing to worry about.Edited by sparks_E39 on Friday 28th October 13:08
crofty1984 said:
Well if you ever do need it, then there's nothing to worry about.
It would be interesting if you can report back in a few weeks to see how well you're eating/digesting. It seems different for different people - some will be fine, some will be using the loo a lot more, some put weight on as things digest more slowly.
so called said:
My Daughter and my Sons girlfriend both had the op 2 years ago and both have no problems.
My Wife had the op last year and she has been suffering from diarrhea since.
There really is no need to suffer at all. Go to doctor, explain situation and he will prescribe Colestyramine powder, twice a day. Job done. Bowels like a teenager!My Wife had the op last year and she has been suffering from diarrhea since.
You're welcome.
So far: day 1 eating a fair bit, but not in large portions. Not quite feeling ready to trust my farts, given what some people on here have said. Brown snake remains in his cave. Hurts to strain, so I'm not forcing it.
Day two post op. A fabulous poo this morning! Quite a magnificent beast if I do say so myself. Seems fairly normal, but I'm not taking any chances. Rather waste a hobble upstairs for a false alarm than poo myself on the sofa. A sentiment I'm sure most in my position would share.
In other news, I'm sore round my stitches and the belly button one's leaked a tiny bit of blood. f
k me I'm glamorous. Hobbling round the house like an old man and I'm sleeping in compression stockings.
Day two post op. A fabulous poo this morning! Quite a magnificent beast if I do say so myself. Seems fairly normal, but I'm not taking any chances. Rather waste a hobble upstairs for a false alarm than poo myself on the sofa. A sentiment I'm sure most in my position would share.
In other news, I'm sore round my stitches and the belly button one's leaked a tiny bit of blood. f
k me I'm glamorous. Hobbling round the house like an old man and I'm sleeping in compression stockings.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff