Doctor has recommended gallbladder removal but now I’ve freaked myself out by reading horror stories

Hi I have a 2cm gallstone which is giving a lot of trouble and the surgeon has put me forward for keyhole surgery, which should happen nxt wk.

I have read the same horror stories of people who've had theirs removed and are in pain still. I nearly called my surgery off because of them but my friends and family have persuaded me to go ahead. My mother in law had hers out yesterday ago by the old method surgery and she is glad she did as the pain just got worse.

Good luck with whatever you decide, I will try and update you after my surgery.

I posted this reply elsewhere but I think it is worth repeating here:

I just realised it is a long time since I last posted here. I had my op about 20 months ago. I have had no problems and no pain or other symptoms since then. I eat a normal diet, though I do try to avoid some fatty foods for weight control reasons. I would highly recommend that you have the op if that is what your specialist recommends. I also know several other people with the same experience.

The 'problems' with taking the pills are several fold. Firstly they don't get rid of the problem so you will probably be on them for the rest of of life and still have to eat a restricted diet. They can also reduce the size of the stones so they exit the gallbladder but then get stuck in the bile duct. That can be extremely painful and life threatening as they can also block the pancreatic duct leading to acute pancreatitis and even necrosis (death) of the tissue. I know at least two people that died of this, including one of my oldest and closest friends.

Please go for the op. As I mentioned in a previous posts these forums are largely from people who have had problems but people who have had a successful experience do not come back so you get a very negatively biased view.

hi Rachel,

I think the vast majority of people who have been told they need to have their gallbladders removed go through the same thought process, and have the same concerns as you do right now - I know I did! I read so many horror stories and scared myself silly. I nearly talked myself out of it, but ultimately I realised that it was far better not to delay, to have the operation before complications set in, because the operation can become more complex and require open surgery if complications set in.

I had my surgery in February 2020 by key hole. I went home after a few hours. Apart from some initial discomfort and a little constipation during first couple of days, I recovered really well and it has been bliss not worrying about when the next attack would occur, or what I could or could not eat. I could enjoy my life again. Having read the horror stories, I expected to be rushing to the toilet every time I ate, or other nasty side effects, but none if this has happened. Everything has returned to normal.

Please don't even consider things like gallbladder flushes, as they can be dangerous. and ultimately, you will still produce more stones and sludge, so the problem will not go away. Same for the medication - it is just kicking the problem into the long grass. Far better to deal with it whilst you are healthy and strong, rather than delaying it until your health really starts to suffer and things get complicated.

Just ensure that your surgeon has a high frequency rate of undertaking gallbladder removals, some surgeons are more specialised than others.

I wish you all the very best and hope that my positive experience adds a bit of perspective.

Most people do not get this, around 70%-95% are fine after surgery, of those who aren't there is a mix of issues and I believe the majority are manageable through medication and diet. I know of 5 people personally who've had their gallbladder removed with no major problems whatsoever. All aren't particularly healthy eaters. I'm 27 and had mine out 2 weeks ago so far am fine, haven't eaten much fatty food yet, had some chocolate a couple times couple days apart in small quantities (10-20g), had a bit more yesterday and ended up having to get to a toilet but before surgery if I had any chocolate or higher fat foods I would end up in agonising pain for 2 days so is an improvement but I'll leave the chocolate for a little while before trying out again. This type of side effect does improve over time for the majority of people. I'm also going to start taking bile salt supplements with main meals and anything higher in fat as apparently this can help digest and absorb fatty foods including vitamins and omega 3 which are important for overall health.

Leaving gallstones increases risks of complications and if you end up with an inflamed or infected gallbladder you may end up having to have open surgery instead of keyhole so longer recovery time and a large scar. I'd get it removed if I were you the chances of getting any side effects is slim but you are guaranteed to be in pain with your gallbladder as long as you have it and it will get worse trust me. Took me just over 2 years after being diagnosed to get worse but when it did within 2 months I ended up paying for surgery in another country as nhs waiting lists were huge (I was on the list for surgery for 2 years).

I've been told I have very small gall stones. No need to operate they say. Well I say not yet! So my strategy is to drink plenty of water every day and reduce fat input as far as possible. Hope that works.

Have the op. I had mine out 2 years ago now. Same thing no stones just sludge but kept having excruciating spasms. I have to watch what i eat still as i get bloating and chest pain if i do not. I occasionally get reflux but a shot of Gaviscon before bed helps. The after effects of the surgery are preferable to the pain i had before.