Life, Pre and Post Gallbladder Removal

[capd]

On behalf of someone else, I'm posting to find out more about gallbladder removal. One always seems to hear from those who've had the surgery who've had great relief, which I completely understand. But what are the negative sides and long term implications? Life expectancy?

I'm obviously against removal as it's there for a reason, and from what I understand, quite drastic changes would need to be made in one's diet, dealing with potential digestion difficulty, flatulence, etc.

They currently have one large-ish stone blocking the duct, which causes flair up every week or three, particularly after a (one) large fatty meal later in the day. Other times, there are no issues. Having to deal with the flare ups can obviously push one closer to just wanting the surgery, but then you only hear from surgeons whose business is removal.

In my opinion, changing diet now to try and avoid flare ups and retaining the gallbladder, is more sensible. I've also heard about laser treatment which breaks up the stone/s and allows it/them to pass?

Your advice and experience would be appreciated.

 

[Tongs of Destiny]

got a friend who had their gallbladder removed because of flair ups and paint etc. look if you're not going to change your diet then the next route is removal. As far as I know they're much happier, although after 1-2 glasses of wine they're smashed lol, your body can't process alcohol that easily so you get drunk quickly.
A balanced diet that includes healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates, along with sufficient fiber, can help reduce the risk of gallbladder problems going forward...

But most people just couldn't be bothered so have the surgery... but you still need to adjust your diet afterwards. Oh and there is no reduction in lifespan at all. Your body adapts, same as chopping off your appendix, kidney, lung, liver etc

 

[B-1]

no reduction in lifespan at all. Your body adapts, same as chopping off your appendix, kidney, lung, liver etc

 

[Tongs of Destiny]

yes you can snip a section of your liver off, almost 70% of it can be lobbed off and it regrows itself within a few weeks... it is an amazing regenerative organ, hence why you can donate parts of your liver....

 

[PaulGherkin]

got a friend who had their gallbladder removed because of flair ups and paint etc.

I see, that must have been the solvents in said enamel paints that he works with. My condolences mate.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Different people, different surgeons, different outcomes.

Most people go home same day after laparoscopic surgery and are right as rain in two weeks; fit as a fiddle.

Aim for a surgeon who does hundreds of ops a year. Avoid the local butcher, inexperienced surgeons, or ones who only operate every so often.

Statistical differences in patient outcomes related to that.

I don't really know what to offer.

Bile acid malabsorption is common post-surgery. Sometimes right after; sometimes developing years later. Some people continue to experience pain due to sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Some people end up being unable to take codeine ever again due to it triggering a spasm in the sphincter of Oddi that causes identical pain to a gallstone attack

Sometimes the clips used in surgery travel and cause issues years later.

Sometimes people die in the operating theatre.

Sometimes people die from ruptured gallbladders or stones travelling into their pancreas during an attack.

Do you want to suffer agonising, debilitating pain at random for hours on end? Or just have it cut out in less than an hour in theatre?

Choices, choices. Life is full of them.

Nobody can tell you what's best or how things will play out.

That's for you/your acquaintance to figure out and decide.

Good luck to them.

 

[Jean Claude Vaaldamme]

Well I had mine removed years ago. Not by choice. Had huge pain and turned yellow like a person with jaundice from the bile pumping into my blood. When I woke from op they just told me they removed it along with 50+ huge stones.
Anyway they said nothing about changing diet and only said I might have runny stomach more often.
So yeah went home same day.
Never changed my diet, eat as much fatty food as I want. Never had runny stomach or any other problem.
Dr told my often the tube/intestine or whatever form kind of a sack again almost working like a gallbladder.
Actually had a relative the other day that went for x-rays for something and told them their gallbladder was removed, yet they said it shows they have a gallbladder on the x-rays.

Biggest problem with gallbladder removal is it sounds like a little stupid operation, but many people actually die from the op. I personally know of 3 that died. Did that Kaasbra guy the other day not also die from infection from gallbladder. After op?
I myself was back in hospital after a week and almost died from infection, Was in ICU for 3 weeks.