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Gallbladder Removal Success Story! I Finally feel better!!!

Posted , 47 users are following.

erica000
erica000

Let me start out by saying DO NOT LISTEN TO ALL OF THESE NEGATIVE POSTS ON HERE!

The internet says that Gallbladder surgery is the most COMMON surgery in todays world and about 700,000 people in the United states have their gallbladder taken out each year. So please do not let a couple of hundred negative posts on the internet scare you away from doing something that could change your life for the better!

People who have a positive outcome do not post their results, they are too busy enjoying their life now that they feel better!

For 10 years I suffered and I finally hit my breaking point. The Gallbladder surgery was the first surgery I ever had so just like many of you, I was on these websites every chance I got searching for a reason to believe this was my answer and that I was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, all I found were all these horror stories and people with complications.

 

My CT scan, Ultrasound, Labs etc all came back fine. I had no gallstones. My Hida scan was 33%, which as many of you know, can be a tricky number when it comes to a Doctor believing that the gallbladder is the problem. Especially in my case where symptoms were not typical gallbladder symptoms. Pain was not always on the right side, it was mostly in the center above my ribs, my pain was not always after a fatty meal, it was with EVERY meal. I did not have a ton of heartburn. IBS medications, both prescription and over the counter, natural supplements, food/ingredient elimination…it helped, but only temporarily.  But I know my body, and their answers weren’t good enough for me.

I finally decided to see a surgeon for a second opinion, and then the option was up to me. It took me 2 months to decide that I was going for it. I read every single article online that you can find that relates to gallbladder removal, and every single post on these forum websites, both good and bad.

I am now just about 3 months post op and I feel amazing. Of course you have to watch what you eat now and avoid certain foods, but to be honest, it’s all stuff you’re used to by now if you’ve suffered stomach issues before getting your gallbladder out. My gallbladder was covered in scar tissue when they removed it, with some cholesterolosis. One thing I noticed after the surgery is that the dull horrible pain that I had ALWAYS felt in my stomach is now gone.  When you feel that way for THAT long, it almost feels weird NOT to feel like that anymore. But I felt so relieved. I still do. Don’t get me wrong, I still have days where I feel a bit bloated and I’m still learning what I’m sensitive to, but it’s a different kind of bloat, and the blah feeling I sometimes get now would not even come close to what I felt before the surgery.

 

I’m all for the questions, so please ask. Just remember that just because you don’t have “classic gallbladder symptoms” doesn’t mean its not your gallbladder!  

19 likes, 82 replies

82 Replies

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  • LellyM
    LellyM erica000

    Posted

    Well said - it is very true that the only people who seem to post about their GB op are those who had a bad time of it.

    Like you, my op was routine - took about 8 years to persuade the docs to do it (then I ended up going private). But now I have no regrets.

    I didn't realise how much the GB was affecting my life until it was gone and I started to feel better.

    Lel.

    • erica000
      erica000 LellyM

      Posted

      I hear ya!  I went to the surgeon for the 2nd opinion after being told not to, and i am SO glad i did. Its crazy to think of how much time and money was wasted on the dozens of doctors i've been to who all made me feel like it was all in my head. I'm glad to hear you're doing well and the surgery was a success for you!!! smile 

  • Bogeyhead
    Bogeyhead erica000

    Posted

    Thanks for posting something positive. I'm having gallbladder surgery next week and I am literally dreading it. 

    I thought removal of the gallbladder was like removing your appendix or tonsils... 

    Then I decided to search online so I know what to expect.

    Now I am scared to death!!

    I am so frustrated & frightened. I thought I was going to get better but from what I have read today...It sounds like life after GB surgery is horrific. Recovery takes forever or longer...

    Please help me. I stress easily. I am scared to death. I have been sick for so long and thought this was going to be the cure!!!!

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 Bogeyhead

      Posted

      People online post the negative side effects but very rarely the positive effects it’s had on their lives! I was on this page asking questions before I got my gallbladder out so have stuck around to hopefully repay that and help someone else. 

      I got my gallbladder out 7 weeks ago and felt so much better as soon as I woke up. I’d had constant nausea and pain for about 7 weeks. The nausea was gone immediately. Was pretty sore for the first couple of weeks and have had wound infections but I’m still glad I got it out! 

      Even if you do have negative side effects from the surgery, it’s got to be better than how you’ve been feeling! And there’s things that can be done to counteract these side effects - but nothing can help a sick gallbladder! 

      Good luck with the surgery and hopefully you’ll be posting happy news next week xx

    • belinda61312
      belinda61312 Bogeyhead

      Posted

      Hi Hope the surgery went well.

      I had mine done Friday the 13th October and was so nervous and almost legged it off the bed outside the theatre.

      The staff were great at Airedale Hospital and all reasssured me I was going to be fine.

      I had waited since April 2017 for the surgery even though my symptoms started mid 2016. Five doctors misdiagnosed me saying I had backache or sent me for an Ovarian scan.

      I had a bad attack in March and insisted on an Ultrasound where they found out I had a large stone. The doctor said he would watch and wait if it was him as people get problems with their scars so I left it for a bit. Then in April after eating a chinese meal I had a bad attack and ended up in A&E peeing cola coloured urine. After scaring me with the thought of bladder cancer they just gave me antibiotics and eventually it cleared up. Over that period not one doctor said to go on a low fat diet, I had to google everything myself. Once I had gone low fat and stuck to salads, fresh chicken etc, I managed it a lot better and had no more bad attacks.

      In fact I felt loads better and was hoping in a way that I didn't need the gallbladder out.

      When I went into hospital I was there for 7am and went to theatre at 9.50am. The next thing I remember is being in the recovery room and asking them if I had, had keyhole and they said yes. I even remember going back to the ward and was awake all the time until I went home. I felt ok, so relieved.

      One thing is I drunk water and was fine, but had a little nibble of a rich tea biscuit and a mouthful of orange cordial and brought it all back up, that was an hour or so after the op. I left it a good hour again and was fine after that.

      When I got home I tried chicken soup but that came back so I gave up that night and just went to bed.

      I even managed to lie on my right side and have done so since. 

      Food hasn't been a problem although when starting to eat some heavier things, I can feel it going down and get a little twinge and a gurgle but that is it. Not particularly painful.

      The only discomfort I get is in my bellybutton, that gets quite sore when bending over or plonking myself down to quick on the chair. I have been using some hydrocortisone as it got quite inflammed but the redness has got a lot better. I apparantly had a small umbilical hernia which they repaired too.

      I do have a scar on my right rib and that is uncomfy as it has bubbled up a bit like a pimple, not sure if I should get that checked out or not.

      Having a fat belly doesn't help with the scar sitting just near the roll of fat, lol.

      Overall it hasn't been too bad and hopefully the soreness of the bellybutton will go away soon.

      I wish everybody all the best who is still waiting. xx

    • erica000
      erica000 Bogeyhead

      Posted

      I hope your surgery went well!

      My recovery was not as quick as some other people describe, and everyone is different on how they recover.I completely understand how you feel about feeling frightened. The gallbladder removal was my first surgery so i was horrified when i read all of the negative. 

      Please update us on how it went!

  • mommabheem
    mommabheem erica000

    Posted

    hi Erica,, you know what im really scared in operations since a year ago i  delivered my 2nd child as CS section , as what my eldest too... and right now im taking apple cider vinegar every morning with an empty stomach thinking , praying and hoping it will dissolve through this. Ma i know what gallstones cm u have ? is it really surgery options? no other option ?
  • mnisbett
    mnisbett erica000

    Posted

    Thanks for sharing your story Erica. I’m having my gallbladder out in three weeks, if I can make it that long, and it’s good to read successful stories. I’m just like you, out there researching, reading and connecting with people in similar situations. 

    Continued good health for you, best wishes 

    • erica000
      erica000 mnisbett

      Posted

      Good Luck with your surgery! It's very scary reading all of the negative. I was terrified. After the surgery, make sure you try to get up and walk around every hour or so. Drink lots of  fluids and make sure to stay ahead of the pain and take the pain meds as prescribed. Since your abdomen will be sore, sleeping on a recliner or couch was a bit easier for me. The first time i slept in my bed, i felt it was hard to pull myself up, and knew i needed one or two more nights on the couch where i could kinda of roll myself off lol.

       

  • Nessae354
    Nessae354 erica000

    Posted

    Hi Erica 000, I just had a lap GB removal 2 days ago and was wondering what kind of symptoms you had during recovery. I had some strong pain meds during post op and felt ok yesterday but now I feel more in pain today both physically and also feel brain fog and a little down and had a little crying meltdown because I had this setback. Just curious about other peoples experiences with recovery.
    • nat67736
      nat67736 Nessae354

      Posted

      Hi! I'm 8 days post revcory from

      Gall bladder removal and hernia repair. I have had some

      Stomach cramping and can't really eat. Surgery wasent too bad but I have had 3 c sections so I have had experience with major abdomal surgery. I think you need to rest and know that it's going to take a while to recover. Be patient with yourself. After my first c section I had so many meltdowns but you are on the mend! You can do this!

  • nat67736
    nat67736 erica000

    Posted

    Oh yes! I am 8 days post op from

    Having my gall bladder removed and also having an umbilical hernia repaired. For the past year I have had severe nausea, I woke up every night sick as a dog. Literally I thought I was dying. All

    My doctors told me it was hormonal since I was breast feeding. My surgeon decided to do a hida scan it came back at 34% I decided to go ahead and have it removed. For the first time in over a year I am not nauseous, I slept through the night, I was able to relax. I stil l can't eat much but I'm only 8 days out. I read all these crazy post and was scared to death. I must say I'm thankful I am free! I literally feel like a different person. My husband can't belive it. 

  • belinda61312
    belinda61312 erica000

    Posted

    Hi Everybody I had mine out and Umbiical Hernia repair 13th October. This is coming up to my third week now and all the stitches have dissolved which eased the belly button.

    The first few days weren't that bad, just be careful when getting out of bed, take it easy and slowly.

    The second week I got a bit of inflammation round the bellybutton and was sore sometimes, but overall not agony, just twinges.

    This week feeling loads better.

    On the day of surgery just don't eat loads after. Just have very light things like a small bowl of soup. The day after I was fine and could eat more or less anything.

    I'm still sticking to some low fat, but also having the odd naughty thing and no problems.

    No bad stomach, no rushing to the toilet. Been better than expected.

    Good luck all x

  • debbie1999
    debbie1999 erica000

    Posted

    I am wanting Tha
    • debbie1999
      debbie1999

      Posted

      I Want to say thank you for writing that encouraging report on exactly what I have been dealing with for 15 yrs. Iam now going to say yes to the removal of that evil gallbladder! Good luck and well wishes to you Erica!😊

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