Reconsidering Gallbladder Operation
Posted , 11 users are following.
I was ready to have the operation to remove my GB but after reading
all the negative posts I'm changing my mind.
It seems too many people are suffering from worse pain and other symptoms after GB removal. The way I'm thinking now is that I can live with my
symptoms , as long as I eat small low fat it's not too bad. Seems like you can have worse problems after the operation.
Anyone else thinking the same ?
0 likes, 37 replies
sadtum linda282930
Posted
I can't garantee anything as there are some people who continue to have problems, or have worse problems. But the vast majority (over 90%) of people wth stones feel better after surgery. I had low functioning gallbladder, so a little different than stones, but after 6 months post-surgery I feel about 80% better. I can eat anything, including high fat foods, and have no bad effects. I have absolutely no lingering effects from surgery at all. It's up to you, but I'm so glad I had it done, it changed my life!
linda282930 sadtum
Posted
Hope you continue to heal even more !
Star42 linda282930
Posted
So it just isnt that simple.
I have also tried to heal mine naturally for several months with no luck.
I try to remember that MOST people dont have issues and so dont go writing on a forum. I know several people who have had it removed and all say best thing they did with no issue after, of course there will be always those who do as with any surgery.
good luck with whatever you decide, I have gone back and forth and devised a plan for after, from all the research I have done and health forums I have visited, so have surgery on the 31st july.
linda282930 Star42
Posted
after the operation ?
Star42 linda282930
Posted
Bone broth
fermented veg
water kefir and probiotics
ox bile
fibre such as Phsyllium husk
digestive enzymes
NO dairy or gluten ever again ( been almost gluten and dairy free for years but fully for several months and made a huge difference, I was paleo prior mostly, so I dont believe gluten or dairy should be in anyones diet as its inflammatory and unhealthy (expecially for gut and digestion)
will be following the magnesium advocasy protocol.
Lots of green veg, berries, fresh organic meats, limited nuts and seeds, healthy fats, limit sugar ( I do like dark chocolate LOL)
Limit grains such as rice
No processed or takeaway foods ( or very limited such as the odd bag of crisps, dont eat crap foods such as the famous takeout ones anyway)
I will be introducing healthy fats as soon as possible as fats are essential for good health, our brain, hormones and fat soluable vitamins.
Star42 linda282930
Posted
Restrict alcohol ( I dont drink much anyway)
For healing after surgery, lots of epsom baths and magnesium oil, elderberry, lemon balm, Natural vitamin C camu camu, manuka honey, probiotics, Green tea, bromelain, bone broth veggie soups
Bee pollen for my B vitamins as well as liver suppliments for b12
Lynne1965 linda282930
Posted
I cannot bear the symptoms I have. Almost everything I eat causes horrendous bloating that feels, at best, really uncomfortable, and at worst, really painful. Then there is the constant feeling over full, pain like terrible heart burn, and the pain under my right rib and shoulder blade.
I met with my consultant in April, after my ultrasound confirmed multiple gallstones, and was told the operation would be a six to nine month wait. I have been ringing up and have now been told I will have my pre op tests on 14 July and as long as the tests come back okay they will put me on a cancellation list.
You have to make the decision for yourself, but from what I have heard and been told, over 90-95% of procedures are complex successful. Good luck.
linda282930 Lynne1965
Posted
Let us know how you get on.
Wishing you all the best x
hedy62689 Lynne1965
Posted
Lynne I had the same as yo and more I could not drink water without feeling nauseous and reflux. As soon as I was diagnosed with gb problems over the past 3 months I have had the op. Never felt better apart from the usual tiredness and a few pangs. I eat normally and I do not suffer that awful reflux. You need to take it easy after the op as it's major surgery. I cannot believe I did not have any pain after the op. There are many people I know and of have successful stories. Good luck.
Beenthruit linda282930
Posted
Definitely not! I am so please I had my gallbladder taken out.
The NHS would not perform any surgery, at great cost, if it weren't necessary. If the doctors tell you you need surgery, you need surgery.
Please do not be put off by most of the postings on this site. These are the few for whom surgery hasn't worked out. I feel desperately sorry for them. However, they may have other illnesses as well as gallbladder issues that are affecting their outcome. You only seek help from this site if there are problems and very few who have no problems bother to post. There are many, the vast majority, out there who are happily getting on with their lives without problems.
In my case I searched for a site that would help me when I was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer following my open cholecystectomy and I've had some really good support. If I'd delayed or refused my surgery, the cancer would be growing inside me now, as it is symptomless in its early stages. I was lucky they found it when they did. It may have saved my life.
I'm not a courageous person. Like everyone else the thought of surgery scares me. I considered the options, had the surgery, was diagnosed with cancer, so had more surgery because I wanted to live.
Bottom line: What are the options? There are only two. Surgery - or you could go on as you are, restricting your diet to try and control the symptoms. How long can that go on? You are putting yourself at risk of liver and pancreatic and other digestive illnesses.
First of all any restriction to diet is bad for you: you need the full range of nutrients to live a healthy life. You even need some fat. Eating low fat will, in the short term, control the symptoms, but in the long term it's bad for you,
Secondly, during the five months I was eating a low fat diet, I was still deteriorating. Gradually I was able to do less and less. I was exhausted by and weak from constant attacks during which I couldn't sleep or eat. That's no way to live. Eventually I was desperate to have surgery. You may be able to continue as you are for longer than that- maybe years, but the fact is a sick gallbladder won't get better, no matter what you do to control the symptoms.
Obviously, this has to be your decision but I think it would be risky in the long term.
I am gradually getting my life back. The only reason I still post is to try and support those who have recently been diagnosed or are post op. I wouldn't wish this illness on my worst enemy. I know five people who've had this surgery and all are leading full lives without any problems.
Please reconsider.
linda282930 Beenthruit
Posted
I have other problems so my diet will always be restricted sadly.I cannot imagine more pain after surgery on top of what I suffer now .Hope you continue to do well x
linda282930
Posted
Recently heard of a family member who has a family member
that has just had this surgery and nearly died.
I'm down for the same hospital !!
carol_85816 linda282930
Posted
Hi I was same as you then decided to do it got rushed to hospital ended up with infection really poorly ended up in a e nearly died but live to tell the tale I'm 5 weeks in after 9 days in hospital and lived to tell the tale.the people who were in hospital with complications was loads but they do have to come out I was one of the unlucky ones my surgeon said it was badly infected .so it needed to come out anyway.good luck with your decision 😀
Star42 carol_85816
Posted
Beenthruit linda282930
Posted
Good luck!
Beenthruit Star42
Posted
I think complications are rare. You have to be pretty sick to even get a bed in hospital these days. They are just the tip of the iceberg and for every patient with complications there's another 99 with gallbladder related issues trying to get on with life. Didn't realise how many people are suffering from gallbladder stuff until I started getting problems!!
Star42 Beenthruit
Posted
expecially as asymptoms are mild again.
I know they can escalate at anytime though.
I also cannot seem to keep weight on, even increasing dark chocolate and corn chips as hungry as struck what to eat and still slowly loosing, its over 15 kg now.
Beenthruit Star42
Posted
If you're losing weight that fast, you really need to have your surgery as soon as possible, Star. Are you eating at all?
Star42 Beenthruit
Posted
I lost 10kg from October to December and was surviving on chicken and rice with a tiny bit of cooked veg twice a day due to severe reflux and IBS symptoms with anything else, even adding dark chocolate and corn chips has seem me keep drop but it has slowed down.
My Castlemans specialist was very concerned with the huge weight loss at xmas which was 10kg then and sent me for an urgent CT but was all fine.
My husband said when we add the calories up its not that many, often 1200-1500, which is a diet calorie count, not one for maintaining weight. I was a UK size 10 bottom and 10-12 top, so not overweight at the beginning, now a 6-8 fits me easily and I am always tired.
I have been sticking to foods which control the symptoms as much as possible so am frightened to add anything different now as restricitng it is what helped my symptoms minimize. I was paleo/primal before ( using dairy in cooking) and used to eat much healthier but gained weight over the last year before it started ( guessing I had stopped digesting all the healthy fats properley and gained the fat!) I had gained 5kg over that year then the symptoms started quite quickly one day.
I went to grilld the other day with my husband and had a grilled burger on a gluten free bun and sweet potato fries, ate half the bun and most of the fries and was bloated the entire day, so dont do that very often, only when I am really hungry and we are out!
chocolate gives me burning throat, mild and tolerable and tummy burn minor but I am hungry but at a loss what else too eat.
I am down to 52kg now so lost 15kg in total which goes to 14kg loss if I eat a lot of corn chips but not much more than that and my skin looks wrinkled after having 4 kids and dropping so quickly, now looking very slim, I like being slim of course, but everyone keeps telling me you look skinny.
Star42
Posted
seen as raw veg causes worse symptoms I doubt it, but called a liar as I am told its the meat which is infammatory, can you imagine how think I would be if I cut the meat!
carol_85816
Posted
yes it was scary my mum took ill abroad with hers which was scary .I think once you been diagnosed from what I've learnt over the last few weeks it's just as serious to leave it in I tried for 3 months to manage it on my own it was only because I'm going away in august with daughter and grandkids I didn't want to take the risk I'm sorry if I scared you didn't mean to but if u want any more info feel free to ask 😀p.s I'm very unlucky person anyway so you'll be fine xxxxx
Beenthruit Star42
Posted
I put on a lot of weight which I think was due to my gallbladder not functioning properly too. I'll never know for sure if that was the cause, but I've always been conscious about food and was vegetarian for a number of years. Weight just seemed to pile on.
GP said my cholesterol had gone up and obviously didn't believe me when I said there'd been no change in diet. I'd always had very low cholesterol. It was not investigated as our GP surgery appears to be staffed by locums, so, nothing gets followed up.
Before I had the gallbladder issue, I was also diagnosed vitamin D deficiency. Both these problems are apparently closely linked to the liver and gallbladder, but I'm not a medical person: just seems suspicious. I also got terrible night sweats for months before, which have stopped after surgery.
I know what it's like to be almost too scared to eat. Pain is a good incentive not to eat.
hedy62689 Star42
Posted
I am so sorry to say hear all your problems. Gb problems cause such disruption with your health I never knew this until the last few months. The other thing is you either loose weight or become obese and my body choose obese without overeating !! Very frustrating !! As soon as your gb is out the better. 👌