A Galling Experience

Last year, I was lucky enough to have my gall bladder successfully removed. In hospital one minute, and almost out in the next with the prized gall stone, bottled and labelled to proudly show friends and family. (Not that anyone rushed to view, but there ready in case anyone ever asked to see it).

Now the pre-op work-up was quite all encompassing and positive, and I was told that within a day or so, I could eat what I liked. The fat-free meals and snacks were to be a thing of the past - things would return to normal - a blessed relief after the pain and sickness caused by pre-op incautious food consumption. Yes, there might be a bit of indigestion, but this fact was almost added as an afterthought.

And so, the day after the operation, I indulged in one dish which I had not dared touch for some time - a toasted cheese sandwich. Ah, agony! Within no time, my whole gut was pitched into the most horrendous turmoil. And there was no let-up! For days I suffered. This was worse than before surgery. I rang the hospital. Had my innards been rerouted incorrectly? Desperation.

I was told to see my GP, who said quite casually that this happened often. Really? Why was I not sufficiently warned beforehand? I was prescribed an industrial strength drug, fascinatingly named a 'proton pump inhibitor'. This made me feel worse. So back on the fat-free diet, and Ranitidine (aka Zantac) 150mg twice a day. Gradually, things improved over a period of months.

This all happened a year ago, and now, things are almost back to normal. Moral? After cholecystectomy, take things very slowly, and don't overindulge - introduce richer foods with caution. Pop a Ranitidine when the first signs of discomfort appear.

And then... Bon appetite!