Gallbladder surgery

Hey all, 

So i found out this week that i have to have my gallbladder out :( I was telling a coworker about it and she began to tell me her horror story about how having hers removed caused a bunch of problems with her digestive tract ( diarrhea for a year after she ate anything. TMI sorry) and restricted her in the things she can eat.

So my question to for you guys is, Did you have problems after having your gallbladder removed? problems eating certain foods? Im already restricted in what i can eat and the thought of restricting it even more scares me. Also, what was your recovery like, is the doctor right in saying that im going to need 4 weeks off work?

Thanks for any advice or input you can give :)

I had my gallbladder out pre-WLS, but I wasn't given any diet restriction.  I was told "eat what you can tolerate".  So no guidelines.  I didn't have any tummy issues after surgery though.  And that I would remember as I was also dealing with a 2.5 month old after surgery.  A friend of mine had her's removed (she's not WLS) and she can eat what she wants as well, no problems.

Recover wasn't too bad.  I had some pain in the hospital.  Two sources of it.  But one was excess air from the surgery.  I just needed to sleep sitting up to get rid of that, and some pain around the incision.  Nothing too bad.

Cathy

I had my gallbladder out 1 yr prior to RNY, I had no eating issues after. You will need 4 weeks recovery, the surgery is similar to WLS. 4-5 abdominal cuts. You will be sore and shouldn't be lifting for a few weeks after. 

I had mine out 2 weeks ago Wednesday, I've been back to work since Monday and I'm powering walking 25 thousand steps a day again and I also had a hernia repair and twisted bowels sorted out.   Surgeon told me no such thing as a restricted diet post gallbladder anymore as each person is different  each what you can if if bothers you don't eat it anymore.. Yes there is a possible problem with Diarrhea but the more protein than less of a problem, my family doctor said there are medications I can take if it becomes a problem  it has not yet not one episode. But I live on 80% protein :)   over all I would say this surgery was like going to the dentist for tooth pulling it's a couple days and then you're fine.

When my hubby had his out, he has some issues with very fatty foods and alcohol.  Nothing that he couldn't do without! 

Misuses when I had mine out pre-WLS. And no dietary restrictions. Doctor told me to take two weeks off work. I'd did, but did feel pretty good after a week - much better than WLS. 

Good luck!

DD

That should read:  "no issues"!  Damn autocorrect!

I had my gallbladder out two years post-op (almost exactly to the day). Recovery was extremely easy since it was done laparoscopically. I had a slight complication with a stone falling out and getting itself stuck, but other than that, it was very smooth sailing. No eating restrictions whatsoever after it came out. Prior to its removal, I was extremely careful not to eat ANY fat as that would set off an attack. I do have a friend, however, who had her gallbladder out and can no longer tolerate eggs for some reason - they cause immediate diarrhea for her.

You'll be just fine and I can't imagine that you would need 4 weeks off of work.

I had mine removed several years ago (I'm still pre-WLS). I didn't have any problems with foods. I took several weeks to recover. I think it was due to my weight/size. They had more stuff to go through. My sister, who is about half my weight, had hers out and was driving the next day. I couldn't even wipe my own bum. But she swears having hers out has made her very gassy, I don't have that problem. 

You will feel better when it's out. 

Thank you for all the input, I feel much better and less worried now!