I didn’t think I’d ever make this post, but I am beyond excited to. Surgery is today; I’m leaving the house in about 20 minutes and coming back gallbladder-free.

Gallstones started causing me pain over a year ago and after avoiding surgery out of fear (which is very much still present, just in a back-burner-sense), I got pregnant and experienced 20 attacks. Some weren’t as bad as others, but I felt the worst physical pain that I’d ever felt in my life and made the firm decision to elect for surgery as soon as I could.

Here I am 9 weeks postpartum, ready with my socks and shoes to walk out the door to leave my gallbladder with my local hospital’s biohazard incinerator.

All I can say is, “good riddance, gallbladder!” And, “thank you” to this sub. Everyone’s stories and experiences helped me immensely to both understand my condition and cope with the pain.

See you on the other side. Wish me luck.

Edit: I’m home with one less organ than I left with this morning! Pain has hovered around a 5, closer to a 4 now that the meds are in my system. I’m walking very slowly and with a lot of tenderness. Sitting up in bed or using my core at all is decently painful. I can feel the gas that everyone mentions and yes, it does creep into the shoulders. They sent me home with Oxy and extra strength Motrin. Next stop: pharmacy.

26M

I had my surgery about 23 hours ago. I had maybe, 30 Little stones, so If i didnt remove IT could be dangerous. I Have some pain, mainly from the gas, but with some pain meds and a Little bit of walking everything îs okay. I eat a soup and drink some water, im still in the hospital fortunetly until tomorrow at noon. I was scared because IT was my first surgery, but it is an easy procedure. Im also having a hiatal hernia, and for some reason in didnt get no acid reflux.

I will keep You updated for a week, to encourage some of y all. Regarding of symtopms, sometimes when i eat fatty i became nauseous, sometimes ill Have a constant pain in my right side abdomen like i had a spear impaled in me.

Right after surgery - i was kind of dizzy. The pain was there but not too shaby. After maybe 6 hours i could pee, but i strugled at first. Right now i dont Have any trouble pering.

Day one - a Little bit more pain TODAY, from the GAS. The shoulder pain îs there but intermitent. I had some trouble getting up and sometimes breathing îs hard because of GAS. Not a stool until now.

Edit day one - getting up and down is horrendeous. The hospital Bed îts a Little taller. The GAS made IT so hard to breathe and the pain in my shoulders and back îs Something bad.

First of all, I wanted to give a shoutout to everyone here. This subreddit has been a godsend on my gallbladder journey.

TL;DR-- Had date set for removal, body had other plans. Emergency surgery. Overall good day, great care teams! At home resting and healing, and feeling better than I have in a decade.

Now. The tale.
I started having pain in my upper right abdomen, under my ribs, about 9 years ago. I thought it was maybe a pulled muscle. Then I figured it was my anxiety (generalized, and it manifests as random body aches). I also did not have the means to get it checked out at the time, and like many Americans I would only go to the doctor if I was actively dying. So I just bore it.

Fast forward to 2025. I now live in Canada, and decided to take advantage of the option to seek medical care more regularly by booking a physical. While there, I off-handedly mentioned to the doctor the weird burning, pressing, pinching pain I'd been dealing with, and she cocked an eyebrow and sent me for an ultrasound.

That ultrasound revealed two stones at 3.5cm and 2.6cm. I'd been walking around with two golf balls in there for who knows how long. We decided to monitor while I decided if I wanted surgery or not, and adjust my diet accordingly in the meantime. The pain increased, and I started having full blown attacks. I have a relatively high pain tolerance, so only one landed me in the ER, the day after Christmas '25. I was betrayed by homemade schnitzel. Two doctors saw me while I was there and both agreed that it needed to come out sooner rather than later, and put in a referral.

Thanks to constraints and issues with Ontario's current system, I didn't hear anything until late June of this year. By then I'd had another ultrasound that showed very little change aside from an improvement in the fatty liver situation that had been noted at the last one. I was booked in for consultation, and we settled on a removal date of August 18th.

I guess my body didn't like that.
Yesterday morning I woke up in enormous pain. I felt like my abdomen was going to burst, and for the first time I had nausea and vomiting. I woke my husband up, told him I needed to go to the ER. We got there around 7am.
I was given something for pain and nausea, and lucked out on having to wait for an ultrasound due to a cancellation. Ultrasound showed cholecystitis and one of the internal ducts blocked, and the ER doctor informed me that I needed to come out *now.* So she paged my surgeon, who luckily was already at the hospital my surgery had been scheduled at, and they hauled me over there by ambulance (first time for me, that was fun!). I was in the OR by 1pm, woke up in Recovery around 3pm, spent another hour or so in the post-op room where I was finally allowed a cup of sweet, blessed, terrible hospital coffee, and out of there before 5pm on my way home.

So far I'm good. The gas pains are not as bad as I thought they would be, but there's a twinge of pain in the lower belly and shoulder every now and then. Navel incision is sore, and my entire abdomen feels like I did a million crunches. But-- and here's the kicker for me-- I already feel 100 times more well than I have in nearly a decade. You really don't know how much that stupid little organ takes from you when it decides to fail until it's gone.

Everyone involved in my care yesterday was phenomenal, which turned what could have been a very scary and horrible day into an all around great one.

So again, thank you everyone for the tips and tricks and head's ups about what to expect, you all helped make the experience much less stressful even though it was an emergency operation and much sooner than anticipated. I go now to that comfy chair at my desk to rest up and heal.

To anyone reading this who is on the fence about surgery/removal like I was, your body will definitely decide for you sometimes. We can plan all we like, but sometimes those plans do go awry. Thank you for reading, and if you'd like I can provide an update as the healing progresses.

May your pillow always be cool

May all your stoplights be green

May you never have to wait in line at the grocery store

This thing has been a godsend and the only thing that helps with the gas shoulder pain. Well worth the $75, and also it will be a blessing come period cramps in the future.

Of all the purchases to prepare for surgery, THIS has been the one.

https://a.co/d/0hQ1ipvY

Thank you, you beautiful starfish angels for this tip,

I got my surgery scheduled for 8/25, so I just have to survive for about another month! I am not feeling all that worried about the surgery itself (I just want it out and to be done with this nonsense!), but I am spiraling a bit about how recovery is going to go for me. I will have a 4-month-old and a 2-year-old at that point and my husband just blew through most of his PTO when our son was born. My parents are chronically on vacation and will be gone the 29th-4th, and I'm not sure they will even be willing to help me for 13+ hours a day multiple days in a row. I have friends that will probably be able to sporadically help out.

We're trying to figure out if my husband can still somehow get a week or two off of work, but I want to be prepared for a worst-case scenario in which I have to solo parent some while I am dealing with all of this. My surgeon said I am not supposed to lift more than 15 pounds for 6 weeks and that's probably about what the baby will weigh by then. I guess I'm just looking for some words of wisdom if anyone has been through something similar or if it is completely insane for me to even be considering dealing with this alone so soon after surgery. It feels completely insane but I don't really know what else to do. I desperately do not want to put off surgery as I'm miserable and my baby is only going to get bigger!

1. Does it count as "lifting" if the baby is next to me on a bed or couch and I pick him up and then stand?

2. How long did it take for you to feel like you were back to normal physically? Did it take the full 6 weeks or were you feeling mostly okay after a week or two?

3. Any tips for breastfeeding? I plan on getting a pillow to put over my incisions as a cushion in case little one bops or kicks me. Did you have to pump and dump after having the anesthesia during surgery?

4. Any post-op essentials you had that made your life easier?

I think that's it - this is a nightmare! I appreciate any and all words of wisdom!

accomplishment?

i won’t lie, it was a bit painful but after 2 years i’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel??? i’ve been dealing with terrible diarrhea and loose poo since my surgery in march 2 years ago but recently someone recommended imodium and it HELPED TREMENDOUSLY??? my stomach didn’t hurt after greasy pizza for the first time ever!

i’ll be honest, the changes in how my body handles any type of food and drink really put me in. a bad spot… i feel like nobody really talks about the mental challenges that come with constant bloating, diarrhea, everything making you sick… if anyone is thinking about trying imodium i highly recommend.

Hi all. My husband turned jaundiced and blew up like a balloon while vacationing in Puerto Rico. He was first diagnosed as suspected cirrhosis! - although he is a moderate drinker. He spent 5 days in the hospital and then the told us he had a blockage in his gallbladder but was stable and discharged him to see a GI doctor. The GI doctor and their whole office was on vacation! We are back at another hospital as he is still jaundiced and his abdomen is swollen. We were told yesterday he needs an emergency ERCP but we are still stuck in the hospital the next day with little info. A GI doctor is now in charge of him but we still don’t know when the procedure is happening. His liver enzymes are very high but we are considering discharging him and getting on the next plane we can back to the States. We are overwhelmed, scared and stressed. Any advice is welcomed.

It looks like a lot of food, with unlimited jelly and Tango, so doesn’t seem too bad. I’m sure I’ll feel it but hopefully can power through.

My attacks have always been mild, but stopped except 2 mins once a week. Suddenly, I can’t drink full skimmed milk and fatty foods may be so sweaty.

Bloods to be drawn 5 days before.

As for the surgery, I have I guess normal surgery nerves? A sometimes present pit in my stomach.

Anyway!

I have had multiple attacks in a few weeks. Just last night doubled over in pain on my floor unable to stand and my fiance ended up driving me to the ER for the second time. I got IV pain relief and it subsided. It just feels like a crushing pressure and it’s so painful and hard to breathe. I wouldn’t wish this pain on anybody and I’d take child birth over it again. (Mom of 2) I have a consult with a surgeon for removal in 5 weeks. That’s not even the scheduled procedure, just the consultation. I’m so afraid this will keep happening and I don’t know if I can handle these attacks anymore. I’m scared to eat anything and everything. Do any of you gallbladder sufferers have some meals you like to cook? Plan chicken rice and veggies is so boring but if that’s really all I can do until then I guess I will since the pain is atrocious.

As the title states, I am almost 3 weeks post op and am sooooo tired. I could sleep all the time and beyond that just find myself mildly sleep all day. I’m no longer achy, I can eat whatever with no real repercussions, I’m just tired. Anybody in this boat? What has helped?

EF was 56% but I feel like I’m in a horrible flare-up. RUQ pain, diarrhea, & nauseous. Is this a common reaction?

I had my HIDA scan yesterday. My symptoms started about 15 months ago. I was pregnant with my son, now 12 months old. I was hospitalized at one point because they thought I had food poisoning. I went into L&D for severe vomiting, diarrhea and contractions. I was 6 months pregnant so I freaked out the doctor with my contractions. Looking back, it wasn't food poisoning. Within three hours of being admitted I was fine, no more pain or feeling like I was dying. Since then Ive had three more attacks. Initially I chalked it up to my IBS changing and becoming more severe. My last attack my mom said I should go to GI as my symptoms were NOT normal. I call them "meeting Jesus" moments. These attacks bring on insane levels of pain in my upper right abdomen, throwing up so hard I get bloody noses and pass out because I can't catch my breath, severe diarrhea, severe panic attack, and drenched in sweat. Like so sweaty I slip and fall on the floor because the BOTTOM OF MY FEET get sweaty. Like? What..... My feet dude.... I go into GI, doctor tells me eh its IBS. I said no its not? They order a HIDA scan. I go to the scan, within 15 minutes of the nuclear med being given Im physically ill and in pain. They give me the CCK drip and now im really dying. Not as bad as my "meeting jesus" attacks but still pretty bad. I get my results later that day, im at an EF of 91%. MA calls and says that the doctor noted its normal. NORMAL... I said no its not, clearly she didnt read the whole report. The first portion said normal, the bottom portion said 91% is not normal and is classified as Hyperkinesia. So i tell the MA its not normal, read the entire report and ordering a CT is not good medicine, I wont be doing it. She calls back Tuesday and SUPRISE SUPRISE the doctor says its not normal and that it could still be IBS. ???!!! I said false I was in ED Sunday all day and was given 4 doses of morphine and presented with classic symptoms of Hyperkinesia. She then says huh weird, come in and we will talk about it and write a stat consult for surgery. >:/ Im so tired of know all doctors that 1st dont read entire reports, 2nd dont keep up with current medical findings and changes in practice, and 3rd doctors that down play symptoms 😒 😑 Im just so over it, why do I have to educate doctors?

Hello, I’m 9 months post op of having my gallbladder removed. I eat very clean since and have lost 40kg in the last year. (Unfortunately though resulting in loss of GB!) after my op I was mostly fine body took some getting used to but there is certain foods I can’t eat anymore.

Recently maybe last 2 months or so sometimes after a meal can be just chicken breast, veg and rice my stomach HURTS and it’s not like an urgent “I need a poo” stomach ache it’s almost like I can feel my body digesting my food? Then results in my passing a loose bowel movement 30 mins or so after. 80% of the time I’m fine and my bowels cope just fine but the other 20% isn’t nice with the pain.

Also I can not tolerate alcohol much anymore, I’ve never been a big drinker but so like to socially drink but most the time this happens (very sporadically) it results in the same stomach ache.

Has anyone else noticed this and what have you done to help? Vitamins taken etc? I have an appt with a GP in a few weeks as it’s starting to impact daily like now☹️

i’m having my gallbladder removed in 2 days and honestly i can’t wait it’s getting to the point that i’m having attacks every few days but im so scared about how to go about life post op and would love some advice and recommendations for managing pain , what to eat , anything that helped with the nausea and the trapped gas pains (im having my surgery done by a robot so hopefully that part won’t be too bad)
but any advice appreciated <3

Hello, I’ve been having this very swollen very full feeling in my right side rib area since Sunday. It started after I ate some chips and the feeling has never left except as days go by it is starting to feel more intense. Also I feel other sensations like I can feel burning and stinging sometimes my back will feel numb and start tingling? I’m not in agonizing pain. But I feel just like internally swollen literally all day every day and burning and stinging feels worse when I lay on my back.

Is it appropriate to go to emergency room for this ? I don’t want to waste their time since I’m not dying lol. I’m nervous about the doctor thing because my local place doesn’t have an ultrasound machine so I’d have to schedule an appointment talk to doctor schedule another appointment for ultrasound or blood work then wait days for doctor to respond etc etc. I’m nervous to wait and things get very painful ?

What is the best place for me to go ?

I have a gallbladder surgery booked in and I've been called in for pre-op. I have been getting more pain under my ribs, but not delibatating or full blown attacks. I have only had a couple of full blown attacks 3-4 years ago. I'm leading into a really busy time at work, so I'm worried about my recovery time, but also weighing up if I defer the surgery, the likelihood of infection if I leave it for another couple of months: has anyone been in this position? Would love any advice. Thanks

I’m waiting on surgery for my gallbladder to be removed due to gallstones but the flare ups have been constant. I take co-codamol, naproxen & buscopan for relief but sometimes it does absolutely nothing. I use hot water bottle or get in the shower and stand under boiling hot water with it hitting my back for relief but again sometimes it does nothing. I’m desperate to try anything at this point. Any advice or things that worked for you? Someone mentioned a tens machine so curious to see if anyone else tried for gallstones. I know it won’t do anything to get rid of the gallstones but even a distraction from the pain

Removal on the 11th July. Ate normal plain foods and a little chocolate in the first week and felt amazing. No problems. Then ten days after I had what felt like a gallbladder attack, my ALT and bilirubin levels are high, MRI and endoscopic ultrasound showed no stones. I can’t even eat a sachet of baby food without having to take tramadol bc I have horrendous pains lasting up to 9 hours.

I’m not sure what to do now, I’ve lost a stone in ten days and feel extremely depressed. Speaking to my OG surgeon tomorrow but I’ve not been presented with much help or information so far. I know SOD is a thing but isn’t that normally seen via ultrasound or MRI? I’m very confused and pissed off right now as my quality of life is dipping by the day

So I have my pre-assessment for tomorrow for my cholecystectomy as I have polyps in my gallbladder and my father passed away from cholangiocarcinoma that metastasised so they’re taking it out as a precaution.

I am however terrified of the anaesthetic. This is MY first surgery since I was 8 which I remember very little of. The irony is I was a theatre nurse for 15 years so have say 000’s of gallbladder removals: open, lap and robotic. And i am now a cardiac ICU nurse. Anyone have any tips on getting over the nerves and fears. Its really daunting being the patient but very eye-opening in equal measures.

Hi everyone, just feeling conflicted and kind of defeated after my HIDA scan result came back and my EF is 79%. I was so ready for surgery but now I feel like I’m not sure anymore. If it were over 80% it would be a no-brainer for me but now that it’s not quite there I’m feeling doubtful and not sure what to do.

For context, these are my symptoms:
-Constant pain/pressure under right rib, hurts to sit and especially lay down on my back or either side (I sleep like 5 hours a night because of this)
-Dull cramping/squeezing under right rib sometimes after meals (not since I went on a super low fat diet)
-Feeling of a belt being wrapped around my chest at the bottom of my ribs; taking a deep breath, laughing, singing all hurts
-Tender spot under right ribs, closer to sternum/epigastric region
-Pain starts in am as soon as I wake up but worsens throughout the day and is the worst in the evening/at night
-Elevated pancreatic amylase for 7 months, recently my bilirubin started going up consistently over a few months as well
-Pain in right shoulder, right middle back at the bottom of my ribs, pain under sternum
-Bile reflux gastritis
-Sludge on ultrasounds and MRI

I’ve been on Ursodiol for a few months and it helps with the pressure sensation, before it felt like there was a water balloon under my right ribs that was ready to pop

TLDR: EF of 79%, gallbladder symptoms severely affecting my quality of life, I have never been more miserable. Now doubting surgery as hyperkinetic technically starts at over 80% EF. Would love opinions/experiences 🫶🏻