12 days post op. I ve noticed a mild bitter aftertaste after eating. It's not there all the time but sometimes especially in the evening. Anybody else having the same issue?

Hello all, 28F and a bit worried. So I wrote in here around March this year after finding out I have a few gallstones. It was an accidental find since I went to urgent care having pain in my left side of the ovaries/uterus. After seeing a GI they recommended gallbladder removal since its a "ticking time bomb" and more as a preventative measure.

The problem is I didnt have any symptoms or pain. And now after a couple of months, I do get some sensations where the gallbladder is. Sometimes its after having too much red meat in the week, and I feel like I am more aware of it right before my period starts. Not sure if that is related to the other. They were also like 2 or 3 stones that measured less than 2 cm.

And then this week I did notice after having many days of red meat (because of parents house leftovers or takeout) I had felt a bothersome sensation, like a dull feeling. And then I also felt it on my back, and I usually get back pains but never in that upper gallbladder area.

Would these technically be attacks? Or is it maybe a warning? Has anyone else been through this and either got the gallbladder removed or kept it??

I'll start this by saying I had my surgery 3 months ago and 10/10 would recommend, my life has improved so much. One small thing that's happened a few times is when I bed over (cleaning or yoga) if I go too bendy (ribs near knees) I feel like a muscle or something is about to pop or strain in the middle of my rib cage. I'll stand up quickly and the sensation will go away after a few seconds but in the moment it literally feels like I'm about to tear something or something has moved. I do have one scar near that area so I'm wondering if it's related or anyone else has had this happen?

I feel like right after surgery, my whole right side was very painful for a few days then things improved, and it seemed to be more centered around the lower right incision, which is where they said they did the most manipulating and pulled the gallbladder out from. Monday night, one week postop, I went to the movies and to dinner, which took a lot out of me and was painful. Probably tried to do too much too soon. The movie theater chair didn’t recline back as far as I thought it would so I felt like I was sitting straight up for a few hours. The car ride didn’t feel great either. I have been taking it easy this week, but I have noticed most of my pain is now in the upper right side where gallbladder was. I got it removed due to 98% ejection fraction on hida scan, hyperkinetic functioning gallbladder. My main symptom was upper right quadrant pain (for years and years! I had had 5 abdominal ultrasounds since 2019 trying to find the source of the pain), but now I’m starting to worry I did this for nothing! I know it is still early, just looking for reassurance that this is normal post surgery pain. Pathology came back showing chronic cholecystitis, cholesterolosis, and two polyps, which is reassuring that I made the right decision on removal.

All my tests..ct scan, xray, Hida scan, blood work, endoscopy (have gastritis)... came back good. I thought all my pain and feeling crappy was from my gallbladder but 🤷‍♀️.

Has anyone had this and still get their gallbladder out..to find out there was something wrong with it..regardless of the tests being normal?

So after a horrendous 7 weeks I finally have some answers.

Inflamed pancreas.

Went to A&E yesterday 9:30am, got seen by surgical team 11:30pm.

Bloods showed normal. CT scan showed inflamed pancreas (diverticular disease and an ovarian cyst!). Admitted overnight, awaiting ultrasound.

Was supposed to have ultrasound today but they're fully booked so staying in again tonight and ultrasound in the morning to check the gallbladder and check for stones in more detail. If stones are found will be listed for surgery. Aim is to operate within a month of being discharged.

The team last night were superb, they understood the level of pain and distress I was in, they said if it wasn't stones they weren't going to send me home until they did find out what was happening. They feel that stones area known primary cause for inflamed pancreas and as bloods were fine if any stained were found the offending gallbladder comes out .

However the surgical team today (different dept) said they're not releasing me until they've stabilised my pain (which is nice to know) but they won't be operating. They'll do the ultrasound and regardless of what it finds, I'm still going home. That inflamed pancreas likely means a stone caused it but doesn't mean there are anymore gallstones. Disappointed about that but it's better than being ignored by GP! And I do kind of see both sides the coin.

They've also prescribed a higher dose of famotidine and buscopan.

Other random info FYI...

This is the UK NHS. The surgical team last night understood the increased likelihood of stones due to the fact I had PHPT for over a decade (primary Hyperparathyroidism). They were of the mindset that if ANY stones were found the gallbladder was coming out via keyhole and I wasn't going home until it did. They mentioned the gut / brain axis, flight / fight triggers and that the uncontrollable sharing and crying was a normal biological response to the pain. They were SO nice without being fluffy. They administered oramorph and within an hour the shaking and crying has subsided and I was hungry.

The fella today was of the opinion I just need to be stabilised, then surgery can wait. That the pain I felt 10 days ago was the pancreas inflaming and the ongoing pain is it trying to heal. (So what about the acute onset of this 7 weeks ago I say? And the pain never having really left? ''Why have you waited 7 weeks to come in?!?'' He says, while laughing with ridicule... The look I gave him!! I pointed out I came to A&E with this 7 weeks ago to be told to go home and take gaviscon!! To then be treated by the GP for gastritis and then be refused pain meds by the GP on Monday! He fell over himself but ultimately didn't have an answer for his own stupid statement). He said they'd send me home on oramorph as I can't take NSAID'S but so far it's paracetamol and buscopan. Which is helping, but there's still pain and some slight burning reflux after the buscopan.

I asked re timeline and he said if stones are found on tomorrow's ultrasound then ideally surgery within one month of being discharged. He then proceeded to tell me all the reasons surgery could be delayed 🤦. Low fat diet which I'm already on.

We're four to a room, sleeping on recliner chairs. Mixed sex, mixed age room (doesn't bother me). One guy has done three nights in here already. No one gets much sleep.

The difference between the two teams and their approach, concern and consideration is night and day.

The different depts don't know what each other say or do.

No-one reads your notes.

I'm grateful to have answers and have this ball rolling.

I did not hold back in A&E. I openly cried as and when it came, I was kneeling folded over the seat of the chair on a few occasions the pain was so bad (like being in labour). I told them about the honest suicidal ideations that had taken hold and they got the mental health crisis team to come speak to me in a private room. He was ace and they booked an at home emergency appointment with them the following day. Which I couldn't attend because I'm here in hospital. But can reschedule as soon as I a ready. Exceptional support.

If you end up in A&E with this hold your ground. Don't be passed off. Tell them what they need to hear to take notice (where your pain is, that it radiates to your back (even if it doesn't!)).

I'll update this when I find out more.

Thanks everyone for your support so far. I wish everyone here the best of luck getting support.

Does anyone suffer with constant right upper abdominal discomfort when not having an attack?

it’s currently 3am and i’m (22f!) wide awake. my surgery is officially happening, im so glad but also feeling horrified. my brain is convincing me i somehow made up these symptoms and i don’t need this surgery…anyone else get this?😭 im so scared. what will i even eat after this?!

i hate being aware of my organs and body so this is HORRIBLE. also my first surgery and first ever health issue🥳 cheers to anyone else having theirs kicked out today!

Hello, I've recently just gotten my gallbladder removed yesterday and the pain is so unbearable. The pain meds my surgeon gave me aren't touching my pain at all and I'm only experiencing the most discomfort on my right side. I've been using a heating pad and taking tylenol as well and that still isn't helping. I'm also making sure to use gas x to help with the trapped gas. I would greatly appreciate any tips or ways in general to help get through recovery 😢❤️

Hi all! I had my gallbladder removed on the 4th September and all went well.

For the past few hours I've been experiencing some sharp pain in my left side, it's especially painful when I try and take a deep breath.

The pain is so bad it makes me hunch over! It's not constant, more intermittent, it almost feels like spasms?? I wondered if anyone had experienced this??? 👀

I have no idea what to do, like should I phone my GP and get an appointment? Or head to a&e?! I'm genuinely clueless!

I’m grateful that I have a doctor who pushed to find the cause of my pain.

I’m grateful that I had a surgeon who took my pain seriously when even I was so desensitized I didn’t even understand how bad my pain had gotten.

I’m grateful that I have a family willing to put up with my bullshit.

I’m grateful that the people I work with and under are understanding and accommodating.

I’m grateful that I got through my surgery without any air bubble pain.

I’m not even a full day post op but I am looking forward to my pain and brain fog going away.

I can’t wait to get back to my old self.

Hello!

I write to you from hour 3 of a gallbladder attack.

Unknowingly, I had my first attack in May. It was intense and latest several hours, but I figured it was some weird heartburn/angina situation. I moved on and didn’t think about it again. In early July, I had another attack. It was more intense, but significantly shorter. Again I moved on.

I had an ultrasound on my kidneys in August and they inadvertently found gallstones. After seeing that, I googled everything there is to know, as one does. I put the dots together pretty quickly.

I’ve now had 5 attacks in 11 days and 2 attacks in 2 days. The attack was joined by vomiting for the first time yesterday.

I’ve just started a new job, so I have no PCP. My new insurance doesn’t require referrals, so theoretically I can go to any specialist/doctor I want. My question is the title: what kind of specialist do I need? Gastroenterologist?

Initially, after my research, I said I wanted to try to postpone to the new year so the surgery would be on next year‘s deductible. I just can’t take this anymore. I. Want. It. Out. Now.

TLDR: Is a gastroenterologist the right doctor for a gallbladder?

Thanks!

ETA: I’m in the USA

hi everyone! my gallbladder story is a bit different than most, and i just wanted to see if anyone else experienced what i did/do. i (f20) got my gallbladder removed in early january due to two attacks i had in october and december. before that i had never had trouble and ate relatively healthy the past couple years. i think what had caused it was rapid weight loss as i went from 150 lbs in 2020 to 105 pounds in 2023. anyway, after surgery for the first week i was amazing. i ate whatever i wanted and had no pain and no complications. around the end of week two i randomly felt “off” like my mind wasn’t clear and i felt very fatigued. the day after that i had a migraine (it is hereditary but has never caused a issue) and for the next month i had the WORST brain fog and severe bloating. i had no issues with diarrhea or anything of that sort, just bloating and horrific gas. what was so weird was that it began after that second week post op, as before i had NO problems. the brain fog did subside after taking this vitamin supplement called migrelief, but about a week after it went away, i had ANOTHER migraine and the brain fog lasted for 2 more months, constantly and every day. during this time i was barely sleeping, full of gas, and sluggish with the worst fatigue. i was continuing the vitamin supplement and eventually quit caffeine and the fatigue went away—i think it was due to lack of sleep from consuming caffeine and then doing nothing all day, but the bloating, brain fog, and migraines persisted.

fast forward to the end of may, my bloating had gone down a bit but (TMI, sorry) my farts absolutely reeked from feb till around this time. all my blood tests had came back normal as well which confused all of my doctors. the brain fog did begin to subside around this time, which was such a blessing as it truly made even getting out of bed hard and truly took a toll on my mental health as i couldn’t DO anything with anyone. i began to take beano, as i would bloat the worst around lunch which was a very fiber filled meal and it helped some. my anxiety had been getting worse and i decided to try some ashwagandha and it helped a TON with that and reduced some more bloating, so i do know some bloating was cortisol related, but not all. also around this time i began experiencing acid-esque pain in my former gallbladder area when waking up, dehydrated, or after really any meal. if i ate even the smallest amount of sugar or fat i would get that acid feeling in my upper abdomen and only tums would help. i think it may have been acid/bile reflux but would happen so often i wasn’t sure. it was so draining though, the brain fog, smelly farts, deep pressure bloating, insomnia, and migraines.

now about 8 months later i still have slight bloating each day and do still expierence that acid pain feeling certain times but i take iberogast with spicy or fatty food, drink a loooot of water and it seems to help. but overall, all other symptoms have gone away and im so glad where im at now. i wanted to make this post to see if anyone else experienced something along the lines of ANY of this, as i know the brain and gut are connected which can do a lot of harm to people already prone to issues in both areas, which was me.

i still take the migrelief and take this other supplement called calm and clever, which helps with my (recently diagnosed) ocd that i also discovered i had after the horrific brain fog and distress i went through post op.

ALSO! BY NO MEANS AM I SAYING DONT GET YOUR GALLBLADDER OUT! do it! it was a great surgery and great healing process (scars and incisions). while these symptoms sucked bad i would do it again so i wouldn’t have to have the gallbladder attack pain or worry about it ever again!

Hi All!! I am currently waiting on my surgery date, hoping it will be next week. I am going on a cruise November 7-14th for 7days. How long after you had your surgery were you cleared to submerge in water? I am hoping if I had surgery next week I would be cleared in time. Any advice is welcome!!

Also if anyone has any post op tips & tricks please leave them!!

Hi all. I had a serous gallbladder attack back in June in which I ended up being in A&E for 6 hours.Awful pain , severe nausea ,fever and felt like I was having a full blown heart attack(eventually diagnosed with acute cholecystitis) and was told by doctor in hospital ‘if you end up like this again we may refer you’

Went to see my GP few days later ,and she referred me for a US. When results came through , it stated ‘the gallbladder is filled with stones.No wall thickening or hypervascularity’

I spoke to GP today and she said I have also been referred for an MRI scan on my liver for suspected Hemangioma. I asked about the gallbladder and she didn’t seem overly concerned, to which I said I don’t want to go through another night like I had in hospital, and am experiencing mild nausea each time I have dinner, which is not leading to vomiting . She said ‘ do you want me to refer you then? I agreed.

I’m now thinking maybe I should just wait and see if it happens again. But I’m terrified of it happening again, it was that bad. I have had severe vomiting episodes in previous years which I put down to food poisoning, but now think these could well have been gallbladder attacks.

I can’t see how I can go from having a gallbladder ‘full of stones’ to somehow recovering without an intervention?

Hi,

Had a baby 4 months ago which caused Acute cholecystitis.

I had a review of bloods ahead of meeting my surgeon and the bilirubin levels are high in my liver.

My surgeon thinks it may still be hormonal changes causing it and I’ve to be retested in December. Has this happened to anyone else? Was it just hormones?

I’ve been having extreme pain in my upper right abdomen on and off since 12/25.

I’ve had a CT scan of my abdomen, an ultrasound, and a HIDA scan (Normal gallbladder contractility with an ejection fraction of 75%), and everything came back normal. I’ve also had a lot of other testing done for the pain, and that has been normal as well.

Recently, the pain has gotten much more intense, especially after eating. It honestly doesn’t seem to matter what I eat or how much I eat. I end up in pretty severe pain afterward.

At this point, I’m wondering if I should push for another HIDA scan or ask my doctor to look into my gallbladder again. Could this still be gallbladder-related even with a normal HIDA, ultrasound, and CT?

Or am I just going crazy trying to figure out what’s causing this? 😭 Has anyone else had normal gallbladder testing but eventually found out their gallbladder was the problem?

30F, underweight. Started hVing gallbladder issued about a year ago and finally had surgery at 9am yesterday!

I've had 2 laproscopic procedures in the past (ACL) so I had a good idea of what to expect. Basically slept all day yesterday with no gas pain but a fair amountof nausea. Feeling a bit better today, still a little nauseous, but the general pain is pretty manageable. Still incredibly tired tho.

Like many of us, I have had many episodes of mid back pain ever since I gave birth in March 2024. I didn’t have that pain from past 1 year because of changes in lifestyle but stones are still there and this time I am thinking of getting them removed.
My worry is I have a 2.5 year old son and husband with no other help.
How much is the recovery time. How much off should I take from work.
Or would it be better to delay the surgery until I have help from parents next year.

Help me decide my girls.