A few weeks ago I starting having serious pain that felt like it was coming from my liver. The pain lasted about 4-5 days and went away. I consulted my Dr. and he recommended an ultrasound. Sure enough I had small gall stones. He suggested a low fat diet and gave me a couple of meds. He said I may have to have my gall bladder removed if they continue to be troublesome. He acted like the surgery was no big deal but said it could become a big deal if the gallstones get stuck. I still have minor pain in the same area from time to time and am trying to eat better. The weird part about it is that every person I talked to about it that has had gallstones had an attack after eating BBQ. Mine also occurred a few hours after eating some BBQ ribs.
So my question is, have any of you guys had to have surgery? If so, how long were you down and what are the longterm effects of not having a gallbladder?

Anything high in fat will trigger the attack. I’m blessed with a good gallbladder but see many bad ones in the ER. Surgery is pretty simple and quick (laparoscopically). I’ve ran the C-Arm in quite a few cholecystectomy cases. Use a good surgeon that checks the bile duct for stones if you get it whittled out. Most folks go home pretty quickly after surgery and recover well. The most annoying thing I have heard is the air working it’s way out of your abdominal cavity over a week. (They inflate the abdominal
Cavity to gain more room to whittle and clip).

Not me personally but the wife had symptoms like yours for a few months with associated nausea/vomiting. She had an ER visit with subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She went back to work a few days later although with lifting restrictions. No additional problems after surgery and healed up just fine.

Yea she mentioned the right shoulder pain from the air slowly dissipating.

Thanks SkeeterRonnie, if my do have to have the gallbladder removed, will I be able to go back to eating the occasional BBQ dinner or ribeye? Besides some short term discomfort, are there any long term effects to not having a gallbladder?
Just saw your post KD is the wife able to eat whatever she wants now?

I’ve had mine removed twice, the first time it was so inflamed they ended up leaving a part of it and had to have a second surgery a year later.. first surgery sucked because had trapped stones and the gall bladder was really inflamed, had diverticulitis on top of that, so it was a extended stay.. The second was laparoscopic and was quick in and out in a few hours, the worst part laparoscopic is the dang trapped gas the next day that makes its way to your shoulder and makes you want to saw it off..Eat what I want now but even after two years, it’s still a emergency rest room situation after I eat if I haven’t ate in a few hours....

Had mine out about 10 years now
Laproscopic
Not a big deal
Couple of days of tender and largely back
To normal

What has been a hassle is that with no gallbladder
A small % of people ( like me) don’t have regulated bile
Anymore so I have to take a medication each morning
And can’t eat for about an hour after, otherwise all food
Goes straight through like you know what through a goose.

It’s a hassle but not a big deal

Had mine removed 20 years ago. Bad GB attack, Dr. said I was lucky to have survived due to extreme infection, bordering on gangrene. Since the surgery I have been able to eat anything and everything. OBTW I had that last severe after eating Bbq ribs (all you can eat but shouldn't)

I had mine removed about 10 years ago. I missed 1 day of work because they made me. Recovery is nothing really. Only 2 bad things about the surgery was I was constipated for about 4 days. 2nd thing, now when the urge hits me I have to go in 60 seconds or less or it’ll be in my pants. After the surgery when you have to poop you better get in the bathroom. No such thing as holding it. I have high cholesterol which causes gall stones. If you don’t think you do get it checked because that’s usually what causes gall stones.

Mine also was laporoscopically. I still limit sodium and spice intake as that’s what causes the problem. I think I had the surgery at 8:00am and was home by noon. Slept the rest of the day then the constipation hit. The Dr. said it was because of the pain medicine.

Had my removed about 3 weeks ago. No problems, abdomen sore 2nd day, making it hard to get up and down, took it easy for about 5 days. The gall bladder attack caused a blood infection so I was on IV antibiotics for a month which slow me down more than the surgery. Watched my eating the first week or so and now eating just about anything without problems. Barbeque, mexican food, no problems just try not to over eat. Some people have more problems, but I have done well - I am almost 82 so maybe I have so many aches & pains that I don't notice new ones. Good luck.

Friends wife had gall bladder removed with DaVinci and easy recovery just like mine was for hernia. I think it was mentioned that they inflate the cavity so there is room to work. Coming out of anethesia on mine the gut pressure was uncomfortable but didnt last long.

Mrs RayBob had her first bout about 8 years ago then had a laparoscopic removal about 6 weeks later. Just a little pain for a few days afterward. Slightly overactive bowel but not as bad as the few months post removal.

If you don't need removal and just have some sludge buildup and small stones(fatty globules) this could be discussed with your doc: ERCP

Never have had gall stones, but have had kidney stones once when I was in my twenties. Last week I had a bout with diverticulitus. It kicked my nads for about 5 days....olds getting older!

Had mine out about 7 years ago. Quick, simple and relatively mild pain as far as surgeries go. It was my 2nd of 3 surgery experiences. I've heard that no gall bladder can cause digestive issues and I definitely have those but I had emergency surgery involving my intestines from a car wreck around the same time. So my gut issues are complicated. My advice is to listen to the experts, your doctor(s).

My wife had her gall bladder removed and solved alot of her digestive issues.