That is the question.

I'm middle aged and my gallbladder needs to come out. The question is, does that really matter? If I have gallstones that are too small for the HIDA scan, CT and ultrasound, they will still be in my stomach or intestines causing the side pain and nausea until/unless I pass them.

Has anyone here had their gallbladder removed? I'm not worried about the laparoscopic surgery or anesthesia since its a 35 minute outpatient procedure.

I'm just wondering if the surgery is worth it overall. I am going to try to 100% overhaul my nutrition choices starting this weekend: no more bread, processed sugar (i.e. cupcakes, muffins, brownies, donuts, candies), or fried foods.

Seems daunting but I'm willing to reverse my bad eating habits as I can't handle the cholecystitis attacks anymore as they seem to last more than a week (my gallbladder takes a long time to calm down).

This Christmas I really overindulged in processed snacks b/c of the places I went that had cookies and other baked holiday goods to eat. Huge regret.

I went to urgent care and followed up with a dr. Of course, the dr. was adamant that my symptoms were NOT related to my gallbladder b/c my bloodwork and CT/ultrasound is normal. But...I still have gallbladder symptoms anyway. He prescribed me physical therapy and said that my age means I pulled a lower back muscle. I don't think so. I have had gallbladder attacks off/on throughout my life. The option for surgery never crossed my mind until this past week b/c the fatigue, nausea, headache and upper right side pain that radiates up to my right shoulder is unbearable.

Of course, the CT/ultrasound of my appendix, liver, and pancreas were also normal.

Normal doesn't always mean something bad isn't going on. Just need to find the right dr. I scheduled a video visit with a gastro so hopefully he won't medically gaslight me and tell me its all in my head.