Hi @linda82 - I had gallbladder removal, and it was absolutely clear when it had to come out. I had no knowledge of a gallstone, but started having pain I thought was menstrual at a hair color appointment.

Someone's kind donation of OTC pain reliever had no impact, and it was getting worse and worse. I remember sinking down some in the salon chair with my hair in foils. Of course, I couldn't really leave with foils in my hair or cut the process short.

I ended up in really horrible pain by the time I got home, such that I asked my husband to take me to urgent care. I was in so much pain at the waiting room there that I could not sit in a regular seat. I ended up lying on the carpet in the waiting room, cause I hurt so bad and for some reason that gave me the only relief available. It sure got me taken back fast - guess it's poor PR to have a patient lying on the floor. 😉

It truly hurt worse than childbirth. No question I had to have surgery.

They examined me in urgent care, confirmed I had a gallbladder issue and needed gallbladder removal, which they scheduled for the next morning. Then they admitted me, gave me plenty of pain meds and made me as comfortable as possible.

I think I did have to be out of normal activity for maybe 2 weeks. Not terrible at all, but I did have to have some pain control for a short while and had lifting and activity restrictions. My scar that was supposed to be nothing with the laparoscopic surgery - it's only an inch and a half or so, but still pinkish and obvious 15 or so years later. So, not invisible, but not horrible.

A friend of my husband and mine had gallbladder surgery and requested to bring his stone home in a jar. I thought that was ew, but I guess he thought it was cool.

I doubt I could have staved off surgery by any means - when this happened, it was a fast and furious train toward getting the stone causing so much pain out of my body.

I cannot speak to your past experience with surgery, but I would not say this particular surgery warrants anxiety. Pretty quickly done and over.

Why was your family doctor setting you up with a surgeon at this time? Was the doctor thinking of proactive removal?

@linda82 To be honest, its not urgent until its suddenly urgent, If you are not having gallbladder attacks then its probably not something you have to do right away, but *please* talk to your doctor about it.

Gallstones are pretty common, and not everyone has gallbladder attacks if they have gallstones. The problem is that if the gallstone blocks the bile duct, and bile backs up into the liver and/or pancreas you can be extremely sick.

I don't think you can stop gallstones from forming, but if since you have a large gallstone, I would avoid fatty foods. When you eat fat your gallbladder contracts and adds bile (an emulsifier) to your gut. If you have a gallstone it may block the bile duct and then you have the intense pain and risk of complications. I would avoid the "olive oil and grapefruit juice" thing - that's going to call your gallbladder into action and perhaps cause an attack.

I was able to have laproscopic surgery despite multiple prior abdominal surgeries including a total colectomy and j-pouch construction. The surgeon was concerned I would have too much scaring and adhesions, but this turned out not to be the case.