Gallbladder removal has changed my life in a good way :-)
Posted , 7 users are following.
I had my gallbladder removed just over five weeks ago, I'm very young to have it done at 27 but I had a very large stone blocking the duct, I've never been overweight but found it made me constantly depressed I always had a swollen stomach and I generally felt miserable which lead me into a spiral of eating the wrong stuff all the time which didn't help when my gallbladder was blocked, I was very nervous going in for the surgery and when I came round I remember the intensity of the pain hitting, I really wasn't expecting that, I have a young daughter so that made the recovery slightly more challenging, the first two weeks I could hardly move and I didn't pass a stool for four days!! I had previously read how people went back to work after two weeks I don't see how when I was still in pain after the third week, I slowly started to add exercise in once I felt ready I've lost weight pretty quickly and have made sure I stick to a very good diet so I haven't messed my body up, when I do eat highly fatty foods I notice how it now effects my bowel movements which can be pretty horrible. All in all I'm so glad I've had the op done I now have more energy and it's made me step in the right direction with my eating to!
2 likes, 10 replies
cmross1108 sarah23x
Posted
So awesome to hear a POSITIVE story.. When I thought I had gallbladder problems, as much as this sight helped, it also made it VERY scary. I've read that it may take a while to get fatty foods back but most people end up being fine with them. I truly hope you continue to feel better!
sarah23x cmross1108
Posted
Thank you, I think people always tend to point out the bad things rather than the good, I have tried chips etc but they just make me feel sick, kebabs have been fine but only chicken ones lol! Thank you very much
Mona54 sarah23x
Posted
I am glad you are feeling better. My issue is that I can't eat normal since the surgery. Even if I had baked chicken and mashed potatoes a small portion. The food just sits there and I can't digest it. The doctors think I should be eating normal and think I may have an ulcer. I need to have a scope done, but not for 10 more days. In the mean time in trying to find someone to help me with the nutritional side of it because I am not eating enough caloies. Then the pain is extremely severe. I'm not giving up, just trying to find help and answers
sarah23x Mona54
Posted
I use an app called my fitness pal it helps you track calories and what you eat as well, I haven't eaten much potato based foods yet to be honest, I had chips and they didn't digest well and when I went out for a meal it made me dash to the loo ( sorry for to much info) I think everyone reacts differently alot of foods scare me at the moment as I'm scared it'll cause pain, I've literally been eating cous cous, salads and meat and veg, yoghurts have been fine so far to and I eat alot of fruit, i really hope you start to feel better soon!
Mona54 sarah23x
Posted
Thank you for responding. IT has been 2 and a half weeks. Thanks for the tip about fitness pal. I actually have that app. I guess I wish there was more good information out there. I talked to a dietician that I worked with as far as a supplement. I want to make sure I was getting good calories. All the ensure products have either artificial sweeteners or just a lot of sugar. I want good calories. She recommended I try almond milk with protein powder a little at a time. Or kefir and protein powder. I am going to try that. Maybe the liquids won't make me feel like the food is just setting there. The only time I can eat without that feeling is in the morning. I think because my stomach is empty, it is welcoming the food. Didn't think it would be so hard
lisa98146 sarah23x
Posted
I had mine removed in May and it's changed my life. Gallstones had impacted on my life for at least 3 years and I'd forgotten what it was like to feel well. It's only now that I realise just how much they had impacted on me. Although the attacks were the flash point, the other symptoms were horrid. Painfully full feeling after eating very little, the constant stitch pain where even wearing a bra was too painful. Not being able to wear anything other than loose, elastic waistbands, bloating, fatigue, sweating, retention and constipation. All that went within about 3 weeks. I've found I can eat anything I like and nothing seems to cause me bother. I had a blow out over the weekend at a party. Had some drinks and party food and I did suffer a bit yesterday with stomach pain but nothing serious. Best thing I ever did and nowhere near as bad as I thought it could be. I realise that I am one of the lucky ones :-)
sarah23x lisa98146
Posted
So lovely to hear that it's also changed your life in a positive way, I got so worried when i read things online before my surgery, I've had a few blow outs to and although I do get a bit of tummy trouble afterwards I no longer have the constant pain I use to suffer with which is amazing :-)
Mona54 lisa98146
Posted
You are very lucky. I am in pain after I eat no matter what it is. I ate very healthy before surgery. Whole grains etc. I was getting worried I wasn't getting enough calories. The only thing that doesn't bother me to bad is rice chex in the morning with almond milk mixed with protein powder. I am trying to get an appointment with a dietician. I need a prescription. Since it is a holiday weekend I have to wait until tomorrow to hear back from the dr. I am also trying to get my scope appt moved up since I am having so much pain after eating.
amanda24475 lisa98146
Posted
I am waiting for the op they say 6/9 months, I too am find my bra irritating, can't wait to take it off in the evenings, MRI shows a cyst on my liver but doc says it's nothing to worry about. Very low fat diet is helping with attacks, I've now lost just under 4 stones, I am hoping I will be better after surgery, my friend can eat anything she's 3 yrs on and very happy.
I hate gallstones!!.
deb75699 sarah23x
Posted
It's the best thing I could have done after living in pain last yr 9 months, losing 70 pounds because I was scared to eat (i was 220 to start). I went dr to dr nobody believed anything was wrong with me it was horrible and my liver tests were only done the first month. I had a stone lodged in my liver duct that finally passed month 9. Pain stopped, then last week one year later it began again and my hub took me to the er. Luckily a dr there remembered me from before and this time they went in and looked finding a lodged stone plus my liver levels were up. I had two surgeries, one to remove the stone and damage and then my gallbladder. Best thing I ever had done. Prior I was always constipated and now I am regular, I altered my diet for less fat but thats a healthy choice! The internet is always horror stories but not the case here. Its not a big deal if you eat right!