So what were the symptoms that took you to the doctor? I don't know any women who have had that surgery.

My younger sister had her gallbladder removed laparoscopically about, oh, four or five years ago. She's 55 now, so she was at least 50 when it was done. It was an easy surgery and an easy recovery for her.

I had mine out about 15 years ago so at about 33. Easy surgery, easy recovery. BUT I tell this to everyone...If you think you have to ummm.. i'll be blunt here...p00p, get to the bathroom as if you wait until your SURE you have to. it will probably be too late. That lasted for about a year, more predominatly at first. I wasn't warned about this, talk about embarrassing!!!

Vickey-MN

My dd (27) and DH (58) both have had to have theirs removed in the past 6 months. Hers was an emergency situation, his was found when his surgeon was preparing to do a double hernia repair.

Yes, it does run in families. DH's family has many, many folks who have had to have theirs out in their early 20's or 30's--he was actually quite late, compared to the rest of them.

Remember, that the healing for a gall bladder takes 6-7 weeks, during which you shouldn't be pushing things. From what I've learned from my two's experiences, no lifting anything over 5 pounds for the first couple of weeks, and no heavy lifting for at least a couple of months. Take care of yourself--no point in doing further damage. But if you are anything like my bunch, you will be feeling good and will recouperate rapidly.

DD works in a job that's not physical at all--she was back to work in a week. DH's job is more physical and he was out of work 3 weeks, then on light duty/half days for the next week--per his dr's instructions. And his employer really thought he should have taken another week or 2 off. So don't push it--take your time to get better.

Oh, and dh? Ever since his operation, he's been able to eat all sorts of things that he hadn't been able to enjoy for years. He feels SO much better--but he hadn't even realized his gall bladder was giving him problems. Wishing you the same easy, complete recouperation

I had mine out about 5 years ago, and they did it laparoscopically. The attacks I had prior to the surgery were unbelievable...I felt like I was going to die. The surgery seemed to go well enough, but then I had complications and was off work for about 10 weeks, even though I have a desk job. But I'm still very glad I had it done. No more attacks!!

I had mine removed July 14, 2008 laparoscopically, about three years after my initial attack. I periodically got attacks, and when I did, I doubled over.

Because it was elective surgery and not emergency, I chose my surgeon, hospital, date.

I went in at 10:30 am and I was home by 6:15 pm!

Had about one day of misery. Took about three days in all to heal. No complications.

Just like susan_on, when I got attacks I wanted to die from the pain.

I had only one stone, one inch big. It was not blocking the duct.

I feel great now and can eat what I want. I occasionally ate fried, greasy foods prior; now, I gave them up entirely for my health.

~Carol~

Sheila, the symptoms that took me to the ER? Not being able to keep anything down and the back pain! I have a great tolerance for pain but this was worst than childbirth. It took 3 shots of morphine to calm me down. I guess the real trouble was my pancrease swelling, I was in the hospital 2 days just for the swelling to go down so I could have the gall removed. Afterwards, my blood sugar was so high, 2 more days to get that under control (i'm not diabetic)

Czech, I could never look at greasy foods anyway, my mom cooked no fat and broiled meat to shoe leather.

Vicky, thanks for the warning....

Lindsey, I had the lapar also, sure beats getting cut open

Azz, thanks, but looking back, I don't remember eating anything different, my diet is usually boring and natural.

Sue, I'm bouncing back well enough. How can some people have attack after attack and not have anything done about it. Lack of insurence? Family responsibilities?

I do not know how some people can keep having attacks without having the gall bladder removed. Maybe their attacks aren't as severe? I think it's a very dangerous thing to do also...to ignore gall bladder attacks. It can lead to a severe health crisis.

I was one to have attack after attack, starting at the age of 15 to the age of 28. Never had it removed and haven't had an attack for 25 yrs, cross my fingers. But if I ever were to have another? I'd get my behind to the surgeon in a red hot minute! And you're so right about it being worse than childbirth momcat, and I had my kids during the hippie days ala naturale:)

my attacks started at 13,and it took the docs 7 years to figure out what was wrong with me...one thing I was not,was overweight..far from it.

My Dad had the attacks,infected gallbladder killed my Grandmother on my Moms side back in 1952,my sister had hers done long after me.

I was one of the old types..cut from under the left breast to the right hipbone...was told that having carried my first baby was what pushed mine so far back under the ribs...the surgery was done when that baby was only 6 wks old.