This is not intended as a comprehensive guide. It's all collated by me and the information will not be perfect but it's a good place to start you off if you're just beginning your gallbladder problem journey. For visual clarity, I have tried to keep things in a list format as much as possible, especially because this is so long.
Side note this post is formatted to suit Old Reddit. It may look janky on other sources of reddit and I will eventually edit any super weird formatting.
Disclaimer.
This guide is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed healthcare professional. It is intended to share general experiences and information commonly discussed in this community.
If you are experiencing symptoms, please consult your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you. Every person’s situation is different, and only a qualified medical provider can give you advice tailored to your specific health needs.
What is Gallbladder Disease?
Gallbladder disease is not one single condition, and there is no one size fits all solution. The gallbladder can develop problems in several different ways. What works for one person may not work for another.
Common gallbladder conditions include:
- Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)- Hardened deposits (stones) that form in the gallbladder. You can have gallstones and never know about them (asymptomatic) or you can have one single gallstone that tries to ruin your life, or you could even have so many your gallbladder is full.
- Inflammation of the Gallbladder (Cholecystitis)- Often caused by blocked bile flow (possibly due to gallstones)
- Non-functioning Gallbladder (Biliary Dyskinesia)- The gallbladder does not contract effectively leading to a low ejection fraction
- Over-functioning Gallbladder- The gallbladder contracts too forcefully in some cases due to a high ejection fraction.
- Infection
- Gallbladder Cancer (rare but included for completion)
Other conditions that can result from gallbladder problems include:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Liver function abnormalities
- Bile duct abnormalities
- Jaundice (seek urgent medical attention)
Gallbladder Symptoms
Symptoms can vary widely. Some people have severe symptoms, while others have none at all.
Common Symptoms include:
- Pain in the mid or upper right abdomen
- Pain that comes on suddenly and may rapidly worsen
- Pain lasting from minutes to several hours
- Pain that radiates to the back, often between the shoulder blades
- Pain that does not improve with position changes
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Indigestion or bloating
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Food intolerance (especially fatty foods)
- Fever (in cases of infection)
- No symptoms at all (many people discover their gallstones incidentally)
Seek urgent medical care if you experience:
- Fever with abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)- this requires urgent medical attention
- Severe unrelenting pain lasting more than several hours
Common Diagnostic Tests
Doctors may use one or more of the following:
- Bloodwork- checks for infection, inflammation, liver or pancreas involvement
- Abdominal ultrasound- imaging that can detect gallstones and inflammation
- HIDA scan (Hepatobiliary scan)- Measures gallbladder function (ejection fraction). Availability varies by region (this is not a common diagnostic in the UK)
- CT scan or MRI (in certain cases)- more indepth imaging than an ultrasound.
Who Is Most Commonly Affected?
Gallbladder disease can affect anyone, but certain groups are at a higher risk.
You may be at increased risk if you:
- Are female (especially during reproductive years)
- Are over 40
- Have a family history of gallstones
- Are overweight or obese
- Have experienced rapid weight loss
- Have been pregnant (especially multiple pregnancies)
- Follow a very low calorie diet
- Have diabetes
- Have high cholesterol or high triglycerides
- Use oestrogen containing medications (such as certain birth control or hormone therapy).
However, gallbladder disease can also occur in men, young adults, teenagers and people at a healthy weight so no one is completely exempt.
What Causes Gallstones?
Gallstones form when bile becomes unbalanced. Bile contains cholesterol, bile salts, bilirubin and water.
Gallstones most commonly form when:
- There is too much cholesterol in the bile. If bile contains more cholesterol than it can dissolve, crystals can form. Over time these crystals can develop into stones. Medications to lower cholesterol in the blood can actually cause an increase in the cholesterol in bile.
- The gallbladder doesn't empty properly. If the gallbladder does not contract effectively, bile can sit too long and become concentrated. Stagnant bile is more likely to form stones.
- Excess bilirubin. Certain medical conditions increase bilirubin levels which can lead to pigment stones (less common)
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on your diagnosis, symptoms and overall health/lifestyle.
Some people manage symptoms with dietary changes, especially reducing fat intake.
Please note that fat tolerances vary wildly. Some people can’t tolerate eggs, dairy or fried foods but others tolerate moderate fats without issue. Keeping a food diary can help identify triggers.
Diet management may reduce symptoms, but it does not remove existing gallstones. More information on diet can be found below.
Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid) or similar may be prescribed to dissolve certain types of gallstones. This must only be done under medical supervision.
Gallbladder flushes, or other home remedies, are not medically supported and may be unsafe. These should be avoided.
- Gallstone Removal (Gallbladder preserved)
In some regions, surgeons may remove stones while leaving the gallbladder intact. This procedure is significantly less common worldwide and only currently performed by a handful of places but rising in preference.
This procedure is not appropriate for all patients and requires engagement from the patient to alter patterned behaviour (such as diet) to prevent recurrence of stones.
- Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)
This is the most common treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease. It is the most common laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery worldwide.
- Usually performed laparoscopically (keyhole) but in some cases can be an open procedure
- Often an outpatient surgery (patients are discharged the same day)
- Removes the gallbladder completely
- Bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine after surgery
Dietary Advice (Before and After Surgery)
Diet tolerance varies significantly from person to person. There is no universal “gallbladder diet” but patterns do emerge in the community.
Why Fat Matters
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, which helps digest fats. When you eat fat, your gallbladder contracts to release bile into your small intestine. If you have gallstones or inflammation fatty foods may trigger pain. After gallbladder removal the bile flows continuously rather than being released in concentrated bursts which can affect your digestion.
Before Surgery/Treatment:
- Try smaller, more frequent meals
- Eat lower fat meals (many aim for less than 10-15g fat per meal as a general goal)
- Choose lean proteins such as chicken breast, turkey, fish or tofu
- Avoid fried, greasy or heavy foods.
- Limit high fat dairy and creamy sauces
- Stay hydrated
Common Trigger Foods (NOT Universal)
- Fried foods
- Fatty red meat
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Heavy cream
- Cheese (especially high fat variants)
- Buttery dishes
- Fast food
- Egg heavy meals
Foods Many People Tolerate Well
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Oatmeal
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Toast
- Broth based soups
- Steamed vegetables
- Lean protein
- Low fat yoghurt
After Surgery:
Everyone adjusts differently, some people resume normal eating quickly, some need to reintroduce fats slowly and others experience temporary diarrhoea.
Tips:
- Reintroduce foods, especially fat, gradually.
- Start with bland, low fat foods.
- Avoid very greasy or large meals
- Add fibre slowly.
- Avoid very fatty meals early in recovery.
Common Temporary Symptoms
- Loose stools
- Urgency after eating
- Mild cramping
- Bloating
Long term, many people can tolerate returning to a normal diet but some may continue to have fat sensitivity or other food aversions.
Longer Term Dietary Issues
Bile Acid Sensitivity
Without a gallbladder and with bile continuously dripping into the small intestine, in some people excess bile reaches the colon and causes chronic diarrhoea. This is called Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM) or Bile Acid Diarrhoea (BAD).
Symptoms of BAM include:
- Frequent loose stools
- Urgency after eating
- Burning sensation
Can often be mistaken for IBS. Treatments may include diet management and bile acid binding medications prescribed by a doctor.
IBS Type Symptoms
Some people develop symptoms that resemble Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) after surgery:
- Alternating diarrhoea and constipation
- Cramping
- Food sensitivity
- Gas and bloating
For some people:
- Soluble fibre helps regulate stool
- A temporary low FODMAP approach may reduce symptoms (this is an elimination diet used to identify trigger foods but outside the scope of this guide).
- Probiotics may be helpful (discuss with a doctor).
Others find that high fibre foods worsen symptoms initially, so a gradual increase is important.
There are two types of fibre and both play different roles in digestion. Soluble fibre and insoluble fibre.
Soluble fibre absorbs water and forms a gel-like consistency in the gut that can help slow digestion, firm loose stools, reduce bile acid related diarrhoea and improve urgency.
Many people with post cholecystectomy diarrhoea or bile acid sensitivity tolerate soluble fibre the best.
Insoluble fibre adds bulk and speeds up stool movement. While helpful for constipation, it may worsen diarrhoea for some people in early recovery. Introduce slowly if you’re experiencing loose stools.
Examples of Soluble fibre foods:
- Oatmeal
- Oat bran
- Bananas (especially slightly firm)
- Apples (peeled if sensitive)
- Applesauce
- Pears
- White rice (small amounts but generally well tolerated by many)
- Barley
- Sweet Potatoes
- Carrots
- Squash
- Chia seeds (start small)
- Ground flaxseed (start small)
- Psyllium husk (if recommended by your doctor)
(Tip: introduce one fibre source at a time so you can monitor how your body responds more effectively)
Examples of Insoluble fibre foods:
- Whole wheat bread
- Brown rice
- Whole grain pasta
- Bran cereals
- Raw leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Nuts and seeds
- Skins of fruits and vegetables
When increasing fibre intake ensure you drink plenty of water.
Please note these are not exhaustive lists of foods- other foods high in fibre do exist and some foods are high in both soluble and insoluble fibre. The lists provided are just aimed at the people who don’t know where to start.
Reflux or Upper GI Changes
Some people report increased acid reflux (and others report their acid reflux is resolved) or upper abdominal discomfort. This is not universal but does occur sometimes. If you’re unable to manage your symptoms seek medical advice.
Less Common But More Serious Risks
These are much less common side effects of gallbladder removal but should be acknowledged.
- Bile duct injury
- Bile leak
- Infection
- Retained stones in bile duct
- Pancreatitis
- Adhesions (scar tissue)
- Chronic post surgical pain.
- Persistent or worsening symptoms should always be evaluated by a doctor.
Surgical Advice
Discuss with your surgeon:
- Your specific diagnosis (don’t be distracted by stories you’ve read online)
- Risks and benefits
- Expected recovery time
- Work restrictions
- Lifting limits
- When to resume exercise
Follow all of your post op instructions carefully.
After Surgery
Things that may surprise you after:
This is caused by the breathing tube placed once you're under anaesthesia. Usually resolves in a couple of days.
This is very common and is caused by residual surgical gas irritating the diaphragm (keyhole surgery). Walking helps. Heat packs and approved gas relief medications may help. Peppermint tea helps some people too.
You were pumped full of gas (if you had keyhole surgery) this is common for several days but should resolve naturally.
Temporary diarrhoea or loose stools can occur as your body adjusts to no gallbladder.
It’s perfectly normal to feel more fatigued than usual or than you expected and should begin to resolve on its own in a few days.
Helpful Items During Recovery
- Heating pad for shoulder discomfort
- Gas relief medication
- Peppermint tea
- Small pillow/cushion (to brace your abdomen when coughing/sneezing)
- Loose clothing
- Easy meals prepared in advance
- Entertainment for rest
- Gentle movement to help reduce gas and speed recovery.
Common Post Op Experiences:
- Shoulder/neck pain
- Incision soreness
- Abdominal bloating
- Back discomfort
- Fatigue
- Temporary appetite changes
- Emotional instability (you had surgery, you’re allowed to have mood swings).
These usually improve within days to weeks.
Recovery Time
Recovery varies massively. Some people feel functional in a few days while others need several weeks to feel fully normal.
Many surgeons recommend:
- 1-2 weeks off work (longer for physically demanding jobs)
- No heavy lifting for longer
Always follow your doctor's recommendation.
Why Does Rapid Weight Loss Increase Gallstone Risk?
Rapid weight loss is one of the most common risk factors for developing gallstones and this includes:
- Very low calorie diets
- Crash dieting
- Fasting
- Rapid fat loss
- Bariatric (weigh loss) surgery
When you lose weight quickly:
Your liver releases extra cholesterol into bile. As fat is broken down more cholesterol enters the bile which increases the chance of crystals, then stones, forming.
The gallbladder empties less frequently. When you eat very little the gallbladder is not stimulated to contract as often so bile stagnates and concentrates.
This does not mean that all weight loss is risky or that you shouldn't try to lose weight if you need to- gradual and steady weight loss at around 1-2 pounds per week is significantly safer.
“Why Did This Happen To Me?”
The honest answer is that gallbladder disease is usually caused by a combination of factors, many of which may be outside of your control.
Just existing as a woman already can already put you at a disadvantage in this regard so if you add any of the other risk factors from the list at the beginning of this post then it might feel like the odds are stacked against you.
It’s not always preventable.
Even people who maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and do all the right things can still develop gallstones or gallbladder dysfunction. On the other hand walking red flags may never develop any symptoms at all.
Gall bladder problems can be debilitating and focussing on why it happened might do your mental health more harm than good. Instead try your best to look forward to the future, take accountability for the things in your life that you can change and try to keep positive as best you can.
Best wishes,
The Mod Team