Tag: Dark urine after gallbladder removal UK

Everything I Wish I’d Known: A Practical UK Guide to Symptoms, A&E Triggers, and Life After Removal

2-minute check: trapped wind vs gallbladder vs reflux

Trapped wind is usually shifting bloating or pressure that improves with movement, burping, or passing gas. Gallbladder pain is more often right-upper-abdomen pain (under the ribs), frequently after fatty/heavy meals, and it may radiate to the back or right shoulder blade. Reflux tends to feel like burning behind the breastbone, often worse lying down or after large meals.

Pattern	Most likely	First move
Right upper abdominal pain after fatty meal + back/shoulder	Gallbladder/biliary colic pattern	If severe/constant or recurring, get assessed
Shifting central bloating + relief after gas	Trapped wind / digestion	Move, hydrate, slow eating, smaller meals
Burning chest/throat + worse lying down	Reflux pattern	Avoid late meals, smaller portions, trigger control

More detail: attack vs trapped wind and acid reflux after removal.

Emergency checklist: when to call 111 / go to A&E

Key stats + risk context

• Gallstones are common in the UK: the NHS notes they affect more than 1 in 10 adults. NHS
• Rapid weight loss increases risk: losing weight quickly may raise the chance of forming gallstones. NIDDK
• GLP-1 medications and gallbladder risk: a large meta-analysis found GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with increased risk of gallbladder/biliary diseases (especially with higher dose, longer duration, and weight loss use). JAMA Internal Medicine
• Absolute risk framing: that analysis reports an absolute increase around 27 cases per 10,000 people treated per year. PMC full text

Video chapters crosswalk (timestamps → answers)

Timestamp	Topic	Jump
00:58	Pain symptoms	Answer
06:25	Emergency signs	Checklist
19:05	Post-op symptoms	Links
26:02	Diet after removal	Diet
33:23	GLP-1 & gallstones	GLP-1

Quick definitions

Biliary colic: episodic pain caused when a gallstone temporarily blocks bile flow, often after eating (especially fatty meals).

Acute cholecystitis: inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by a gallstone blocking the cystic duct, sometimes with constant pain and fever. NHS

Jaundice: yellowing of the skin/eyes due to increased bilirubin. With dark urine and pale stools, it’s a red-flag combination.

Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD): watery urgency/diarrhoea caused by excess bile acids reaching the colon; it’s treatable and worth GP assessment if persistent.

Steatorrhoea: fatty stool that may float, look greasy/pale, and be hard to flush (often linked to fat digestion changes).

Watch the full FAQ video

This is the “every question” video with chapters that match the flow of this guide:

Watch the surgery diary video

This diary reinforces the lived timeline from symptoms → escalation → hospital → surgery → recovery:

After surgery: common symptoms (with detailed guides)

• Chest/upper abdominal pain: read
• Nausea: read
• Acid reflux: read
• Constipation: read
• Floating stool: read
• Dark urine: read
• Itchy skin: read

Diet: low-fat start → reintroduce fat gradually

Most people do best starting with smaller low-fat meals, then reintroducing fats gradually. Portion size is often the biggest trigger.

• Low fat diet guide
• 4-week fat ladder
• Best foods (safe list + trigger list)
• Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) guide

GLP-1: did Mounjaro/Wegovy/Ozempic cause gallstones?

Evidence suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with increased gallbladder/biliary disease risk (especially higher dose, longer duration, and weight-loss use), and rapid weight loss itself increases gallstone risk. JAMA meta-analysis

Deep dive: Did Mounjaro cause gallstones? (UK).

Recovery support (non-claim) + Lily & Loaf (affiliate)

Situation	Option	Link
Low intake / dehydration	Electrolytes to support hydration	Electrolyte Drink
Constipation / irregularity	Soluble fibre (start low, go slow)	Psyllium Hulls
Heavy meals / fat reintroduction	Digestive enzymes (short trial approach)	Enzymes+

Full supplement guide: Best supplements after gallbladder removal (UK) and hub Best Health Supplements.

People also ask: quick answers

• How do I know if it’s gallbladder pain or trapped wind? Gallbladder pain is often right-upper-abdomen pain after fatty meals and may radiate to the back/shoulder; trapped wind is shifting bloating relieved by gas and movement.
• How long does a gallbladder attack last? Often 30 minutes to several hours; constant worsening pain needs assessment.
• Can gallbladder pain feel like heartburn? Yes; the pattern around meals and location helps differentiate.
• What are emergency signs? Severe constant pain, fever/chills, persistent vomiting, jaundice, or very dark urine plus pale stool.
• Can gallstones cause pancreatitis? Yes; severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting needs urgent assessment.
• Is diarrhoea normal after gallbladder removal? It can happen; persistent watery urgency may be bile acid diarrhoea.
• Why is my stool floating? Often gas or fat digestion changes; persistent greasy stool warrants assessment.
• Why is my urine dark after surgery? Often dehydration; with jaundice/pale stools it’s a red-flag combination.
• Can you live normally without a gallbladder? Yes; most people adapt over weeks to months.
• Did GLP-1 cause my gallstones? GLP-1 is associated with increased risk in trials; rapid weight loss also raises risk.

Full FAQ

How do I know if it’s trapped wind or gallbladder pain?

Trapped wind is usually shifting bloating that improves with movement or passing gas. Gallbladder pain is more often right-upper-abdomen pain after fatty/heavy meals and may radiate to the back or right shoulder blade. If the pain is severe, constant, or recurring, get assessed.

What are the symptoms of a gallbladder attack?

Common symptoms include right-upper-abdominal pain under the ribs (often after fatty meals), possible radiation to the back/right shoulder blade, and nausea. Some people also experience bloating or reflux-like discomfort. If pain is constant/severe or you have fever or jaundice, seek urgent care.

How long does a gallbladder attack last?

Many attacks last 30 minutes to several hours. Repeated attacks that keep returning after meals should not be ignored, especially if symptoms escalate.

Can gallbladder pain feel like chest pain or heartburn?

Yes. Gallbladder pain can feel like upper abdominal pressure that sometimes creeps into the chest, and nausea can mimic reflux. If you have chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, fainting, or jaw/arm pain, treat it as urgent.

What are the emergency warning signs of gallbladder problems?

Severe constant or worsening pain, fever/chills, persistent vomiting, jaundice, and the combination of very dark urine plus pale/clay stools are warning signs that need urgent assessment.

What are signs of a blocked bile duct?

Yellowing of the eyes/skin (jaundice), very dark urine, pale/clay stools, and itching are classic warning signs—especially if they appear together or with worsening pain.

Can gallstones cause pancreatitis?

Yes. If a stone blocks near the pancreatic duct, it can trigger pancreatitis. Severe upper abdominal pain with vomiting is a situation to take seriously and get assessed.

How are gallstones diagnosed in the UK?

Diagnosis commonly involves your symptom story, an examination, blood tests (including inflammation and liver-related patterns), and an ultrasound. Further imaging may be used if a blocked duct is suspected.

Do gallstones always need surgery?

Not always. Some people have silent gallstones with no symptoms. Recurrent attacks, inflammation, infection, or complications often lead to removal being recommended.

What is a cholecystectomy?

A cholecystectomy is surgery to remove the gallbladder, usually done laparoscopically (keyhole). Your liver still makes bile, but the timing of bile flow changes because the storage pouch is gone.

Is nausea normal after gallbladder removal?

Nausea can be common early on due to medication, reduced eating, dehydration, and diet changes. If you can’t keep fluids down, or nausea comes with fever, severe pain, or jaundice, get assessed.

Is acid reflux common after gallbladder removal?

Some people get reflux-like symptoms during recovery, often tied to meal size, late eating, and trigger foods. If it’s persistent or severe, discuss with a clinician.

Is constipation normal after gallbladder surgery?

Yes. Painkillers, reduced movement, and lower fluid intake commonly cause constipation. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, inability to pass gas, black stools, or bleeding are not “normal constipation” and need urgent advice.

Is diarrhoea normal after gallbladder removal?

Some people get temporary diarrhoea as digestion adapts. If you have persistent watery urgency that affects daily life, it may be bile acid diarrhoea and is worth discussing with your GP.

What is bile acid diarrhoea (BAD)?

BAD happens when excess bile acids reach the colon and trigger watery urgency and diarrhoea. It can be treated, so don’t just suffer through it for months.

Why is my stool yellow after gallbladder removal?

Stool colour can change as bile timing and digestion change. Persistent pale/clay stools, especially with jaundice and dark urine, are a red-flag combination and need urgent assessment.

Why is my stool floating after surgery?

Floating stool is commonly caused by gas in the stool or changes in fat digestion. If stool is persistently greasy, pale, hard to flush, or paired with weight loss and ongoing diarrhoea, speak to a clinician.

Why is my urine dark after gallbladder removal?

Dark urine is often dehydration, especially if appetite is low or you’ve had loose stools. Dark urine with jaundice or pale/clay stools is a warning pattern.

Why am I itchy after gallbladder removal?

Itching can be caused by dry skin or medication effects, but it can also be part of a bile/jaundice warning pattern. If itching appears with jaundice, dark urine, or pale stools, get assessed.

What can I eat after gallbladder removal?

Many people do best with smaller low-fat meals initially, then a gradual reintroduction of fat. Portion size matters. Use these guides: best foods, low fat plan, and the 4-week fat ladder.

Can rapid weight loss cause gallstones?

Yes. Losing weight quickly is a known risk factor for gallstones. NIDDK

Did GLP-1 (Mounjaro/Wegovy/Ozempic) cause my gallstones?

Research suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with increased gallbladder/biliary disease risk in a large meta-analysis, especially with higher dose, longer duration, and weight-loss use. Rapid weight loss itself is also a risk factor. JAMA meta-analysis

Can I stay on GLP-1 after gallbladder removal?

Many people can, but it should be clinician-led. The biggest priority is recovery stability: eating, drinking, and managing side effects reliably before making medication changes.

When can I restart GLP-1 after surgery?

This depends on your recovery, hydration, and clinician guidance. Restarting too early can worsen nausea and dehydration, so it’s usually best to stabilise first.

Disclaimer: Educational content based on lived experience. Not medical advice. If you suspect a medical emergency, seek urgent medical attention.