Gallstones, Gallbladder Surgery & Recovery: What You Need to Know

Top 5 highlights from the conversation

1. Gallstone attacks can be sudden, severe and frightening

Juliet describes her attacks as intense upper abdominal pain that appeared suddenly and without warning. Before receiving a diagnosis, she initially thought she might have appendicitis because the pain was so extreme.

Like many people, she had never really heard gallstones discussed openly before experiencing them herself. The conversation highlights how common gallstones are, while also recognising that many patients feel embarrassed discussing them because of outdated assumptions around weight, diet and lifestyle.

2. Many people receive very little practical guidance after diagnosis

After being diagnosed in hospital, Juliet was told she would need to follow a low fat or no fat diet while waiting for surgery. However, she was given very little information about how to actually manage that day to day.

She quickly realised how difficult it was to identify hidden fats in everyday foods, restaurant meals and ready meals. This lack of practical support was ultimately what led her to write The Gallstone Friendly Diet.

3. Keeping a food diary can help identify triggers

One of the biggest changes Juliet made was carefully documenting everything she ate to work out what triggered attacks.

For her, even small amounts of olive oil or avocado could trigger pain before surgery. She also discovered that some carbonated drinks appeared to aggravate symptoms. Although triggers vary from person to person, tracking meals and symptoms can help patients better understand patterns and avoid foods that worsen attacks.

4. Gallbladder surgery may be medically routine, but recovery can still feel significant

The conversation also explores the emotional side of surgery and recovery. Juliet explains that although gallbladder removal is often described as a routine operation, the experience itself can still feel overwhelming for patients.

She discusses the anxiety she felt beforehand, alongside the physical recovery afterwards, including bruising, exhaustion and feeling unprepared for how long recovery might take. The discussion highlights the importance of healthcare professionals recognising that even common procedures can feel like major life events for patients.

5. Recovery after gallbladder surgery often involves gradual dietary adjustment

Juliet explains that recovery did not simply mean returning immediately to her previous eating habits. Instead, she slowly reintroduced fats and became much more aware of how different foods affected her digestion and overall wellbeing.

Although she now eats a far wider range of foods again, she still avoids certain heavy meals because they no longer feel right for her body. The conversation reinforces that recovery can be an ongoing adjustment process rather than a quick fix.

What Are Gallstones?

Gallstones are small, hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver which helps digest fats.

Some people have gallstones without symptoms, while others experience:

• Sudden upper abdominal pain
• Pain after eating
• Nausea or bloating
• Pain spreading into the back or shoulder
• Digestive discomfort after fatty meals

For some patients, gallstone attacks can become extremely painful and may eventually require gallbladder removal surgery.

Diet Changes Before Gallbladder Surgery

Many people are advised to reduce fat intake before gallbladder surgery to help reduce the likelihood of triggering attacks.

As discussed in this episode, that can involve:

• Avoiding fried foods
• Reducing oils and butter
• Checking labels carefully for hidden fats
• Being cautious with restaurant meals and ready meals
• Keeping a food diary to identify triggers

Juliet also shares some of the practical substitutions she used while waiting for surgery, including cooking vegetables in wine or water rather than oil.

Recovery After Gallbladder Removal

Recovery after gallbladder surgery varies from person to person.

Some people recover quickly, while others experience:

• Fatigue
• Digestive changes
• Bloating
• Bruising and discomfort
• Anxiety around eating certain foods again

The episode highlights the importance of gradually reintroducing foods and allowing time for both physical and emotional recovery.

About the expert

Juliet Sullivan is a British-Canadian writer, former journalist and the author of The Gallstone Friendly Diet, a practical, compassionate guide for anyone navigating gallstones and related digestive issues. Drawing on her own experience of being diagnosed with the condition, she combines her signature wit with clear, evidence-informed advice and a warm, relatable voice to help readers understand what to eat, what to avoid, and how to live well with gallbladder problems.

Before turning her attention to health writing, Juliet studied journalism in London in the 1990s and wrote for outlets including The Daily Mail, She Magazine, and her local newspaper, later moving to Canada where she penned the popular column Diary of an Immigrant for The Province newspaper.

Alongside her writing career, Juliet leads an eclectic life as a real estate agent, Christmas tree seller, wife and mother, dividing her time between England and Canada. Her wider body of work, including her memoir What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted?, explores trauma, resilience, and survival with the same wry, unflinching style that underpins The Gallstone Friendly Diet.

To find out more, please visit: www.julietsullivan.co.uk.

Read the first chapter of Juliet’s book ‘The Gallstone Friendly Diet’ and a variety of places to buy it.