Sorry you are having your gallbladder removed. Without it you won't be able to digest that fat in the cheeseburger. Or any fat, good or bad. I realize that most doctors tell you you don't need the gallbladder, but it supplies the bile that digests the fat. The people I know that have had it removed all suffered from depression, irritability, moodiness, and bloating and gas. All those symptoms probably caused by not digesting any fat. A good reference to diet after surgery for you is edit

hi,

i'm having surgery this coming monday to remove my gall bladder and I had a few questions. Obviously... Recovery time is one. So... For a quick background. I'm 24, extremely active (i go to the gym 2x a day.. Cardio and lifting), i've followed a low fat diet for over a year... I've been plagued with this mysterious gall bladder issue since april. Mysterious because my ultra sound, hida scan and gastro thingy all came back normal. Awesome!
Basically, I was wondering what to expect after surgery and what kind of diet I should follow directly after. Clearly I shouldn't dive into that cheeseburger and beer i've been craving.... As well as.. How soon can I start running and such again!?! Oh, and is the post surgery pain terribly unbearable? I don't take prescription pain meds. They make me uncomfortable and I sometimes hallucinate. So... I stay away.

You will be fine after the surgery. I am physcially fit too I work out 4x a week and follow a low fat diet. I just had my gallbladder out on wednesday and feel fine. The only problem I was experiencing but it was only for one day was gas pains. That is gone and I am able to eat a normal diet without any problems. I will try to eat pizza but not right now. I would give it about two weeks to start running but that would only depend on how you feel, you might be able to do it sooner. Each person is different. Three days after surgery I tried going for a walk but it was a struggle. I am sure you know the gallbladder just stores bile the liver makes. You will be able to process fats normally without a problem. Good luck.

I do hope you are an exception to the rule. The liver does make the bile stored in the gallbladder. But did you ever think about how much extra work it is for the liver to have to make bile on a constant basis? The liver does a lot of work without the added burden. I have helped a lot of people who have had their gallbladder taken out. The majority of them have long term consequences. The connection between the liver and the gallbladder problems to start with deserve some looking into. If the liver were functioning right and you were eating right chances are the gallbladder would not have malfunctioned to start with. I'm not saying it is your fault. I'm saying do some research into the foods on the market today. Most of them that come in a box or bag are not truly real food. Which means that the body cannot process them. That is what overworks and harms the liver to start with. Any partially hydrogenated fat or oil is not food. It is a chemical foreign to the body. Eating a low fat diet normally consists of eating chemically altered food. Your body need real fats. I do hope anyone out there that still has a gallbladder will try to save it. Your health will be much better in the long run. It is your responsibility to take care of it, not the doctors.

I've just read all this interesting info, but too late. I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically 5 days ago. I had gallstones for over five years with no symptoms. Nevertheless, several doctors told me that gallstones are usually related to hepatic cancer later in life. I'm already 61 and I didn't want to take any chances.

Whilst I appreciate everyone is entitled to their view - I can't help but notice a real negativity towards Docs and their views on Gallbladder removal.

I am due to have mine out in the next few months and I'm already nervous about it. I'm on here for advice on recovery from those who have been through it - not people freaking me out with scare stories of how horrible my life will be without it - with NO real scientific fact to back it up.

Like it or not, the vast majority of docs worldwide agree that gallbladder removal works. I have no idea who or what qualifies people to tell me to keep mine but I'll take my chances with the bloke who studied at med school for years and not subtle advertising.

Scare mongering is not helpful to those of us already terrified and feeling paranoid from the intense pain we are feeling.

Please think about some of the things being posted here. Without knowing someones background, telling a person to keep their Gallbladder against the advice of their doctor could be extremly dangerous.

Hi,
I just had mine removed on 06/06/09.I had to stay two days in the hospital because I had an infection and my blood cells count were low so, the docs wanted to be extra careful. I know most people will go home the same day or the day after.The recovery hasn't been difficult.The night after surgery I really freaked out with the pain caused by gas because it even extended to my right shoulder, but those gases will go away in a day or so. The nurses were asking me if I was passing gas so they could change my liquid diet. If you do not start passing out gases it's not recommended to start eating solid foods as the pain will get worse. don't try to take deep breath to relax because it'll make it worse!I started taking short walks about 5 hours after surgery because that helps with the gases. The first couple of days after surgery I had trouble sleeping becasue I had to sleep on the same position.I also had mild pain where the gallbladder used to be which was also reflected on my back, but nothing that would make me cry.The first couple of day I couldn't stand up straight becasue I felt my muscles sore, but now 10 days after surgery I am able to walk straight and take longer walks. I haven't tried the gym yet. I will wait one more week to see how I feel. In regards to the diet my surgeon told me I could have a normal diet. He didn't even mention low-fat;however, I am very careful with what I put in my mouth. The first 3 days after surgery I was still having a liquid diet becasue I felt comfortable drinking rather than having solid foods.Now, I eat solid foods but nothing fried and I'm away from dairy, plenty of veggies, soups, salads and fruits. I've lost already 5 pounds.I've heard some people complaining about diarrhea, but I haven't had any issue with that.
Good Luck with your surgery!

I see my surgeon next Friday. I was in the hospital this
week for an attach but they couldn't take out the gall bladder because I have pneumonia. So I'm waiting for the pneumonia to clear to have the surgery. I've done some research and like what "Vista" above had to say. Not looking forward to it as I too am very active and not wanting anything to change because of this surgery. I'll let you know how I make out.

In my situation, it turned out I was lucky to have the attacks and to go to the doctor and have mine removed. I have gallbladder cancer which wouldn't have been caught without it. It's rare, but I'm glad I didn't wait any longer than the month I did. Good luck to everyone having surgery.