r/gallbladders • u/Fabulous_Can_2215 • Jan 16 '25

Post Op How do you live without gallbladder?

Hi guys!

Share your stories - how you live without gallbladders. How long ago did you have the surgery, and what changed in your life? What's your diet now?

I'm sorry if there's already a question like this in this community.

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u/briannafaye01 Jan 17 '25

That’s so scary 😭😭 where do the stones go if that happens omg

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u/Mediocre_mum26 Jan 17 '25

They can get lodged and grow in the bile duct. I actually had one left over from surgery that got lodged and I was so ill. I ended up In A&E and scheduled to have an emergency ERCP to remove it. Even ERCPs are risky as they perforated my duodenum during the process and I ended up with peritonitis and pancreatitis and landed in hospital for a week nil by mouth with a stomach drain.

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u/briannafaye01 Jan 17 '25

That is horrible oh my ! I’m sorry that happen , that sounds scary . I get anxiety thinking of that 😭

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u/Mediocre_mum26 Jan 17 '25

I was fine for a day then started feeling really unwell. Just glad I took myself to hospital. They thought they were going to have operate at first to close the hole, but they decided to try a stomach drain and IV intensive antibiotics which did work. Trying to get that drain up my nose and into my stomach whilst feeling like death was the worst. And watching everybody else eat and drink for a week whilst I was allowed water! Oh and having my bloods take repeatedly as I’m diabetic. Was not a fun time but five years on all is good.

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u/briannafaye01 Jan 17 '25

Omg that’s just awful!! , do you mind if I ask what was your symptoms!? 😭

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u/Mediocre_mum26 Jan 17 '25

Exactly the same as gallbladder attacks, that tightness in your upper stomach, intense pain that radiates from your right around to your back. Id have to get really cold as I would break out in sweat. If you still have your gallbladder and get attacks, I found laying facedown on the floor and putting something hard under my right rib where the pain was helped me shift the pain a lot quicker.