Gallbladder removal and diet.

[Scotty]

Following an ambulance journey and a day in surgical assessment I am now on waiting list for gallbladder removal (there was no theatre time yesterday).

To anyone who has had this done, how has it affected what you are able to eat? I have to admit I love "trashy" food and cheese although do try to eat mostly home cooked meals.
We go back to Orlando in February.

[Frankie & gang]

Originally Posted by Scotty

Following an ambulance journey and a day in surgical assessment I am now on waiting list for gallbladder removal (there was no theatre time yesterday).

To anyone who has had this done, how has it affected what you are able to eat? I have to admit I love "trashy" food and cheese although do try to eat mostly home cooked meals.
We go back to Orlando in February.

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I had my gallbladder out 17 years ago by keyhole surgery.
Recovery was REALLY quick, signed off work 2 weeks but felt normal within couple of days.
Was warned I would always need to eat a low fat diet - but I’ve been fine eating normal stuff inc cheese, cream, chocolate!
I’d say try what you like & see if ok.
Good luck x

[alisonjones]

I was/am fine with most foods, except onion and double cream but think that maybe due to my IBS. You’ll soon get to know if anything doesn’t agree with you. All the best

[Leggibone]

In the run up I’ve got to admit not eating much differently, though the week before I did behave as instructed. Post op i ate little bits, but low fat for maybe a week or 2 maybe a bit longer (but not obsessively, just held back on cream/cheesey/ really fatty stuff) I’m 18 months on and I eat pretty much as I used to before the op, I notice copious quantities of dairy/very fatty foods don’t agree with me as they used to (without going into gross detail) but other then that I’m just fine!
It’s all better then worrying whether my lunch is going to give me another stone attack!

[Scotty]

Oh, that's better than I expected. Thanks. I have ibs so watch what I eat most of the time anyway.

[Lemmonie]

I eat just the same. Although I was never able to eat pastries or really fatty foods in the mornings as it gave me the runs!

The reason I have the same issues my consultant said my Gallbladder was in such a bad way that it hadnt really been working anyway so when it was gone there was no shock to the system or adjustment required.

[katiec68]

I was in surgery for 3 hours
My gallbladder was stuck to my liver, my gallbladder was full of sludge and very swollen and the stone was 12mm across so they had to make a big hole to get it out

I was out of action for 4 weeks and then on light duties for the week I returned to work before my holiday.

I have no issues with my diet - other than the occasional issue with citrus - satsumas sometimes dont agree with me.

As a rule I dont eat a lot of fatty food anyway but I do like cheese and have no issues with it.

What I would say is that if you have a bigger op make sure you do your pelvic floor/stomach strengthening exercises as after spending 4 weeks nursing my tummy my back gave up compensating and I ended up on Muscle relaxants for 10 days (couldnt bend over, get up or down or sleep! - couldnt ie on either side due to the op and couldnt lie on my back due to the pain)

[ziggyzag]

I had this done, would have be out the same day but op was delayed due to a emergency so wasn't operated on til 5.30pm, was home next day, was back to normal in a few days, celebrated with a curry Only thing I can't eat much of is chocolate It gives me terrible heartburn.

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by katiec68

I was in surgery for 3 hours
My gallbladder was stuck to my liver, my gallbladder was full of sludge and very swollen and the stone was 12mm across so they had to make a big hole to get it out
What I would say is that if you have a bigger op make sure you do your pelvic floor/stomach strengthening exercises as after spending 4 weeks nursing my tummy my back gave up compensating and I ended up on Muscle relaxants for 10 days (couldnt bend over, get up or down or sleep! - couldnt ie on either side due to the op and couldnt lie on my back due to the pain)

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That sounds awful. I had an ultrasound yesterday and I think anything like that would have flagged up. I understand where you are coming from re the back though as I already have back issues and am suffering today with it.

Thanks everyone for your input. Has eased my mind a lot.

[wez]

I’m 10 years post surgery and it’s mainly pastry that I can’t really eat now. Occasionally really fatty food does affect me but not often. I felt so much better once it was removed!