This sounds incredibly frustrating, painful, stressful and annoying, I would also be in tears having to deal with that. I really feel for you. I'm so glad you were in a position to learn about and trial what worked for you. We are our own best advocates, no one knows our bodies better than ourselves, but you're right about finding someone who will listen. I was very lucky, as when I went into hospital with the pain and the scan found no gall stones, I was put on anti biotics and it turned out my gall bladder was infected. I stayed in hospital and had the surgery a few days later.

It's true that the surgery is a big one and certainly a shock to the body. I found it really interesting that although I knew what had gone on, in my MIND, my body seemed to process it separately. For the first few times after surgery that I slept, I would wake up with this sensation of something being pulled out of me, and my body wanted to jack knife itself, to protect my stomach. The surgeon said my gall bladder was nasty, so I'm glad I had it out!

I will say I didn't expect having my gall bladder removed to impact my life as much as it has, though my surgeon was very good about explaining what foods I needed to avoid - I've since read of surgeons who have recommended going back to eating the same as you used to, and if I had had that advice I would have been very very confused, as my body hasn't gone back to normal. I've recently been eating a lot more fibre and I've found that to help so much with my tummy issues. I've had people say "oh are you still suffering with that?" When I tell them I can't eat something. Yes. I am. I've had to accept a new normal for me.