5 Months Without My Gallbladder: Your Questions, Answered
Well, this is a blog post I never expected to write!
Five months ago, I had my gallbladder removed, just nine weeks after welcoming my second baby. And let me tell you, the timing could not have been more interesting.
It all started in the middle of the night, two weeks postpartum, during a nursing session. I suddenly started experiencing intense abdominal pain that genuinely reminded me of labor contractions. And considering I'd just experienced an accidentally unmedicated delivery two weeks earlier, that comparison was still VERY fresh in my mind.
What followed was a 12-hour trip to the ER, a gallstone diagnosis, and a whole lot of uncertainty about what to do next.
I was put on a strict low-fat diet to help manage my symptoms while I figured out whether surgery was the right decision. Then, just a couple of weeks later, we learned that my daughter had a cow's milk protein allergy, which meant eliminating dairy from my diet if I wanted to continue breastfeeding. So there I was, newly postpartum, nursing a newborn, navigating a low-fat AND dairy-free diet, and trying to decide whether to have an organ removed. Quite the plot twist!
Ultimately, after weighing my options and getting a second opinion, I decided to move forward with surgery. Now, five months later, I've received so many questions about the experience, especially from other women navigating gallbladder issues during pregnancy or postpartum.
I want to be very clear: I'm certainly no expert, and I definitely don't have it all figured out. I'm still learning what works for my body, what doesn't, and what life looks like without a gallbladder.
But I remember how overwhelming it felt trying to sort through conflicting information, dietary restrictions, and everyone else's experiences. So I'm happy to share what happened to me, what I've learned along the way, and a few things I wish I'd known sooner.
This is simply my personal experience, not medical advice. Everyone's situation is different, and your healthcare provider should always be your resource for medical decisions. Okay, let's get into your questions!
Your Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What symptoms were you experiencing that led to your gallbladder removal?
A: Absolutely none until my first gallbladder attack two weeks postpartum! I had no warning signs, no history of digestive issues, nothing. I didn't even know how to spell gallbladder until all of this happened.
The first attack came out of nowhere in the middle of the night while I was nursing Camille. The pain was so intense that I genuinely thought I was experiencing labor contractions again (and after an accidentally unmedicated delivery just two weeks earlier, I knew exactly what those felt like!). That episode ultimately landed me in the ER, where an ultrasound revealed gallstones. It was a complete shock, especially while navigating life with a newborn and a toddler.
Q: How did you know surgery was necessary, and what ultimately led to the decision to remove your gallbladder?
A: This was probably the hardest part of the whole experience! Technically, I could have continued managing my symptoms through dietary changes, but that also meant living with the fear of another attack and never knowing when it might happen.
After getting a second opinion and learning that dietary changes wouldn't necessarily make the gallstones go away, I had to think about the bigger picture. I had a newborn, a toddler, travel on the horizon, and a pretty unpredictable schedule as it was.
Ultimately, I decided I'd rather have the surgery on my own terms, when I could plan ahead, coordinate childcare, and give myself time to recover, rather than risk finding myself in an emergency situation.
It wasn't a decision I took lightly, but having some control over the timing gave me a lot of peace of mind.
Q: What was your recovery like, and how long did it take to feel like yourself again?
A: I'm not going to lie, this is where I feel like I was slightly misled! Recovery was WAY harder than I anticipated. I had several people tell me they were back to their normal routines a day or two later, and that was definitely not my experience. Granted, my body was also recovering from having a baby just nine weeks earlier, so I'm sure that played a role.
The biggest surprise? THE GAS PAIN. No one warned me about this! During laparoscopic surgery, they inflate your abdomen with carbon dioxide to give the surgeon room to work. Although they release the gas at the end, some can linger and cause surprisingly intense discomfort, especially in your shoulders and around your ribs. Mine lasted about a week, which was longer than I expected. My heating pad was an absolute MUST and provided so much relief.
I also wasn't prepared for the four incisions (and now scars!) across my abdomen. I knew it was minimally invasive surgery, but I think I underestimated what that would actually look and feel like afterward. I feel like my ab muscles are still recovering as well.
Food was another adjustment. I stuck with a pretty bland, low-fat diet for the first couple of weeks, focusing on smaller meals and nutrient-dense options like bone broth (loved this one and this one) while slowly introducing more variety.
I'd say I started to turn a corner after about a week, but it definitely wasn't an overnight recovery. And again, I think it's important to acknowledge that I was also newly postpartum, which may have made the whole experience a little more challenging.
My biggest takeaway? Just because a procedure is considered routine or minimally invasive doesn't mean recovery is a breeze. Give yourself more time than you think you'll need, accept the help, and don't compare your recovery to someone else's.
Q: Have you experienced any digestive changes or food sensitivities since having it removed?
A: Q: Have you experienced any digestive changes or food sensitivities since having it removed?
This is another area where I feel like I was slightly misled! Even my own doctor told me I should be able to return to a completely normal diet and lifestyle after surgery. And while I understand what they meant, I had a hard time believing there wouldn't be some adjustments. After all, I'm missing a freaking organ!
Five months later, I'd say my digestion has been pretty good overall, but I've definitely noticed some changes. I don't love how I feel after a particularly fatty or rich meal, so I've learned to be a little more mindful of what and how much I'm eating at once.
I'd also heard plenty of horror stories about bathroom urgency after gallbladder removal. I've experienced a little of that myself, but thankfully nothing that's significantly impacted my day-to-day life.
More recently, I've also dealt with some discomfort under my upper right rib, near where my gallbladder used to be. Naturally, that made me nervous! My doctor ordered bloodwork and an ultrasound, and thankfully nothing concerning showed up in the results. I also decided to revisit acupuncture at BPHAC here in Buffalo, and I've noticed a significant improvement in my discomfort since starting.
I'm still learning what's normal for my body and what deserves a closer look. I certainly wouldn't assume every ache or digestive issue is automatically related to having my gallbladder removed, and I'll continue checking in with my doctors if something doesn't feel right.
My biggest takeaway is that being cleared to eat normally doesn't necessarily mean everything will feel exactly the same as it did before surgery. I'm grateful that things have been manageable overall, but I'm still figuring it out five months later!
Q: What was it like recovering from surgery while caring for a newborn?
A: Honestly, the newborn was the easy part! It was the toddler energy (and jumping directly onto my incisions!) that made things interesting.
I'm incredibly grateful for our village and everyone who stepped in to help, along with the flexibility of our work schedules. Recovering from childbirth AND surgery within nine weeks of each other was no joke, and I definitely couldn't have done it without the extra hands!
Q: Did having your gallbladder removed affect breastfeeding or feeding your baby?
A: This was a very personal decision! I went into my second postpartum experience knowing I wanted to combo feed. I exclusively nursed my first baby, and while I'm grateful for that experience, I knew I wanted to do things differently this time.
When Camille was diagnosed with a cow's milk protein allergy and needed prescription formula, I started thinking about wrapping up our nursing journey. Between the low-fat and dairy-free restrictions, everything was becoming a little more complicated. And while I genuinely didn't mind being dairy-free, my heart just wasn't in breastfeeding anymore. I realized I was continuing because I felt like I should, not because I wanted to.
So I decided to make my surgery date the end of our nursing journey. There was no medical reason I couldn't have continued, but it felt like the right time for us. One thing worth mentioning: During my initial ER visit, I was told I couldn't breastfeed (and told me to pump and dump) because of the pain medications I received. Thankfully, a kind follower shared updated guidance showing that many medications used in the hospital are compatible with breastfeeding. I wish I'd had that information sooner! Of course, it depends on the specific medication and circumstances, so always check with your medical team!
Ultimately, I'm really at peace with how our feeding journey unfolded. It was a choice I made for myself and our family, and I'm glad I listened to what I needed, too.
Q: What did you do/use to make recovery more comfortable?
A: I touched on this earlier, but my heating pad was the MVP of recovery! Especially for that lingering gas pain. Beyond that, comfortable, loose-fitting pajamas (nothing putting pressure on my incisions!), staying hydrated, and nourishing, easy-to-digest foods like bone broth were my go-tos. I also drank (and still do) a lot of digestive teas and tried to increase my fiber intake.
A few of you mentioned wedge pillows, and I can absolutely see why! Getting comfortable in bed was a challenge. I only wish I'd had my new mattress with the adjustable base back then. Being able to elevate my upper body would've been SO helpful. Live and learn, I guess! I'll link a few of my favorite recovery comforts here in case they're helpful!
Q: Did you experience any changes in your weight after surgery?
A: I know weight gain is a concern for many people after gallbladder removal, but I can't say I've personally experienced that at this point. I'm only five months post-op, so I can't speak to any long-term changes, but it's definitely something I'm mindful of!
Q: What do you wish you had known before having your gallbladder removed?
A: For being one of the most commonly performed surgeries, I'm genuinely shocked by how little post-op support and nutritional guidance there seems to be! I felt pretty prepared for the actual surgery, but much less prepared for navigating life afterward.
It's SO easy to fall down an internet rabbit hole, especially when you're looking for answers about digestion, diet, and long-term health. And before you know it, someone is trying to sell you a course or a cabinet full of supplements!
My biggest advice? Don't feel pressured to buy anything before talking with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional, ideally someone who can help with nutrition and digestive health. I really wish that kind of follow-up support were standard practice, because in my experience, it certainly wasn't. Five months later, I'm still learning, but I think having the right professional guidance from the beginning would've saved me a lot of unnecessary stress (and Googling!).
Thank you!
If there's one thing I've learned through all of this, it's that everyone's experience is different! I'm grateful to be on the other side of surgery, but five months later, I'm still figuring things out.
I hope sharing my experience helps someone navigating a similar situation, or at least makes you feel a little more prepared for what's ahead.
And now I'd love to hear from YOU! If you've had your gallbladder removed, what's something you've learned along the way? Any advice, tips, or things you wish you'd known sooner? Please share in the comments below! I've learned so much from this community already, and I know your experiences could help someone else, too.
As always, thank you for being here and allowing me to share a little more of life beyond the fitting room!
xx CMK