Gallbladder Attack vs Trapped Wind: How to Tell the Difference (UK Guide)
Author context: After losing 6 stone on GLP-1 (Mounjaro), I mistook early gallbladder symptoms for trapped wind. It escalated into emergency NHS surgery. This guide explains the difference clearly and calmly.
Short answer: Trapped wind usually causes shifting, cramp-like discomfort that improves with movement or passing gas. A gallbladder attack typically causes steady, intense pain in the upper right abdomen that may spread to the back or shoulder and does not improve with position changes.
If you’re here because of right-side pain, this guide will help you decide whether it’s likely digestive gas or something that needs medical assessment.
Start here: If you’re dealing with gallbladder symptoms (or recovery after removal) and want the full UK guide — symptoms, red flags, A&E triggers, surgery, recovery, diet and GLP-1 context — use the mega hub below.
It can feel sharp at times, but it typically fluctuates rather than staying constant.
What does a gallbladder attack feel like?
A gallbladder attack causes steady, severe pain in the upper right abdomen. It may spread to the back or right shoulder blade and often worsens after eating fatty foods. The pain can last several hours and does not ease with movement.
Persistent pain under right ribs
Back or shoulder blade pain
Nausea
Worsening after fatty meals
Pain lasting more than 1–2 hours
Table: Gallbladder Attack vs Trapped Wind
Feature
Trapped Wind
Gallbladder Attack
Pain type
Crampy, shifting
Steady, intense
Location
Anywhere in abdomen
Upper right abdomen
Radiation
Rare
Back / right shoulder blade
Improves with movement?
Often yes
Usually no
Duration
Minutes to short bursts
1–6 hours
My early mistake
When I first experienced pain, I assumed it was trapped wind.
But the pain:
Stayed in one place
Radiated into my back
Did not improve when I moved
That difference matters.
When to seek urgent medical care
Severe pain lasting more than 1–2 hours
Fever or chills
Yellowing of eyes (jaundice)
Persistent vomiting
If you’re unsure — especially with right-side pain — get assessed.
Why GLP-1 users should pay attention
Rapid weight loss can increase gallstone risk. If you’re on GLP-1 and experiencing persistent right-side pain, don’t assume it’s just indigestion.
Did Mounjaro Cause My Gallstones? GLP-1, Rapid Weight Loss and the Real Risk (UK Guide)
Author context: I lost 6 stone using Mounjaro (GLP-1) over 12 months and later required emergency NHS gallbladder surgery in February 2026. This article explains what the science says — calmly and responsibly.
Short answer: Mounjaro does not directly create gallstones. However, rapid weight loss — which often occurs during GLP-1 treatment — is a recognised risk factor for gallstone formation.
If you’re asking this question, it’s usually because something scary has happened. I asked it too.
Start here: If you’re dealing with gallbladder symptoms (or recovery after removal) and want the full UK guide — symptoms, red flags, A&E triggers, surgery, recovery, diet and GLP-1 context — use the mega hub below.
Mounjaro does not directly form gallstones. Gallstones develop when bile becomes overly concentrated with cholesterol and the gallbladder does not empty effectively. Rapid fat loss increases this risk.
Weight loss increases cholesterol secretion into bile
Gallbladder emptying may slow during caloric restriction
Cholesterol crystals can accumulate and solidify
This mechanism is not unique to GLP-1 medications. It is also observed after bariatric surgery and crash dieting.
Why rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk
When body fat is broken down quickly, stored cholesterol is mobilised. The liver processes this and secretes more cholesterol into bile.
At the same time:
The gallbladder may contract less frequently
Bile may remain in the gallbladder longer
Crystallisation becomes more likely
In simple terms: the faster weight drops, the more bile chemistry can shift toward stone formation in susceptible individuals.
Table: What actually drives gallstone risk?
Factor
Level of Influence
Why It Matters
Rapid weight loss
High
Changes bile cholesterol concentration
GLP-1 medication itself
Indirect
Accelerates fat loss in some individuals
Crash dieting
High
Extreme calorie deficit shifts bile chemistry
Genetic predisposition
Variable
Family history affects bile composition
Are gallstones listed as a GLP-1 side effect?
Yes — gallbladder-related events appear in medication documentation. However, this reflects association with weight loss rather than a direct stone-forming effect.
Important nuance:
Most GLP-1 users do not develop gallstones
Risk increases with faster weight loss
Individual biology matters
My case: context matters
I lost 6 stone over 12 months. Then I experienced:
Upper right abdominal pain
Back pain under the shoulder blade
Symptoms that felt like trapped wind at first
Blood tests showed inflammation. Imaging confirmed obstruction. Surgery followed.
That experience forced me to separate emotion from physiology.
Who is most at risk?
People losing weight rapidly (especially more than 1–2kg per week)
Individuals with previous gallbladder sludge
Those with metabolic syndrome history
People combining GLP-1 with extreme calorie restriction
Should you stop Mounjaro if gallstones develop?
Do not stop prescribed medication without medical advice.
Management depends on:
Severity of symptoms
Presence of infection
Whether surgery is required
Your clinician’s risk-benefit assessment
Many people continue GLP-1 safely after gallbladder removal under supervision.
When to seek urgent medical help
Severe upper right abdominal pain lasting more than 1–2 hours
Fever or chills
Yellowing of the eyes (jaundice)
Persistent vomiting
If symptoms escalate, seek urgent care.
Digestive support during recovery (educational only)
After surgery and during dietary transition, some people explore gentle digestion support.
GLP-1, Rapid Weight Loss and Gallstones: My Emergency Gallbladder Surgery Story (UK)
Why you can trust this story: I lost 6 stone using Mounjaro (GLP-1) in 12 months and had emergency NHS gallbladder surgery in February 2026. I documented the experience publicly, including the symptoms I nearly ignored.
Medical note: This is lived experience + educational context, not medical advice. If you’re in severe pain or worried, contact 111 or go to A&E.
Two days.
That’s what the surgeon told me — if I’d waited another 48 hours, my gallbladder would likely have ruptured.
I’d lost 6 stone using Mounjaro (GLP-1). I felt healthier than I had in years. Then right-side pain, back pain, and symptoms I almost dismissed as “trapped wind” escalated into an emergency.
Start here: If you’re dealing with gallbladder symptoms (or recovery after removal) and want the full UK guide — symptoms, red flags, A&E triggers, surgery, recovery, diet and GLP-1 context — use the mega hub below.
This is the video diary where I walk through the timeline, the symptoms, and the NHS emergency surgery process.
Why this matters for Google (and real humans): it’s time-stamped, first-hand documentation of symptoms → escalation → emergency treatment. That’s experience, not theory.
When to go to A&E (quick checklist)
Seek urgent medical care now if you have:
Severe upper right abdominal pain lasting more than 1–2 hours
Pain spreading to your back or right shoulder blade
Fever, chills, or shaking
Yellowing of eyes/skin (jaundice)
Persistent vomiting or worsening pain
Does rapid weight loss cause gallstones?
Yes, rapid weight loss increases the risk of gallstones. When weight drops quickly, the liver releases more cholesterol into bile while the gallbladder may empty less often. This can allow crystals to form and develop into gallstones.
This risk is commonly discussed in relation to:
Very low calorie diets
Bariatric surgery
Rapid fat loss programmes
GLP-1 assisted weight loss
What does a gallbladder attack feel like?
A gallbladder attack usually causes sudden, severe pain in the upper right abdomen. The pain may spread to the back or right shoulder blade and often worsens after eating fatty foods. Episodes typically last one to several hours and may include nausea.
Sharp pain under right ribs
Back or shoulder blade pain
Nausea
Pain lasting more than 1 hour
Often worse after fatty meals
Did Mounjaro cause my gallstones?
Here’s the responsible way to think about it:
Rapid weight loss itself is a known risk factor for gallstones.
GLP-1 medications can lead to significant, sustained weight loss — which may increase risk indirectly for some people.
In my case, the most likely driver was the speed of fat loss combined with personal susceptibility. That’s why this topic needs calm, evidence-aware framing — not panic.
NHS emergency process (what happened)
I’m not sharing every clinical detail publicly, but the pattern looked like this:
Symptoms escalated beyond “indigestion”
A&E assessment + bloods to check inflammation/infection markers
Imaging confirmed gallstones/obstruction
Emergency surgery (cholecystectomy) followed
If you’re reading this mid-pain: don’t rely on blogs (including mine). Use 111/A&E when symptoms match the checklist above.
Life after gallbladder removal: what to expect
Without a gallbladder, bile flows directly from liver to intestine instead of being stored and released in bursts. Most people adapt over time, but digestion can be “weird” during recovery.
Table snippet target: common changes after gallbladder removal
Change
Why it can happen
Loose stools / diarrhoea
Bile reaches the gut more continuously and can irritate the colon
Fat sensitivity
No bile storage “surge” for large fatty meals
Bloating / discomfort
Digestive system adjusting to new bile flow pattern
Urgency after meals
Some foods trigger quicker gut response during recovery
Can you take Mounjaro after gallbladder removal?
In many cases, yes — but only under medical supervision. After gallbladder removal, bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine. Most people adapt over time, and some continue GLP-1 medications successfully. Your surgeon/prescriber should guide timing and dose changes.
Digestive support (educational context only)
During recovery, I focused on basics first (food choices, meal size, and gradual reintroduction). Some people also explore non-prescription digestive support during dietary transitions.
Optional digestion support (not medical treatment): Some people choose digestive enzyme blends to support general digestion while they work out what foods feel “normal” again.
Rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk because bile chemistry changes and the gallbladder may empty less often, making stone formation more likely.
2) What does a gallbladder attack feel like?
It’s typically sudden, severe upper right abdominal pain that can spread to the back or right shoulder blade, often after fatty food, lasting one to several hours.
3) Gallbladder attack vs trapped wind — how can you tell?
Gallbladder pain tends to be persistent, severe, and may radiate to the back/shoulder; trapped wind often shifts, improves with movement/burping, and isn’t usually triggered repeatedly after fatty meals.
4) Can gallbladder pain feel like chest pain?
Yes. Some people feel pain behind the breastbone or in the upper abdomen, which is why severe symptoms should be assessed urgently to rule out other causes.
5) How long does a gallbladder attack last?
Often one to several hours. Pain lasting more than 1–2 hours (especially with fever, vomiting, or jaundice) should be assessed urgently.
6) Where is gallbladder pain located?
Commonly in the upper right abdomen under the ribs, sometimes spreading to the back or right shoulder blade.
7) What foods trigger gallbladder attacks?
Fatty meals are a common trigger. Individual triggers vary, especially during periods of gallbladder irritation or bile duct obstruction.
8) What should I do during a suspected gallbladder attack?
If pain is severe, persistent, or worsening, seek medical advice urgently. Don’t “wait it out” if symptoms match the A&E checklist.
9) When should I go to A&E for gallbladder pain?
If pain lasts more than 1–2 hours, or you have fever, vomiting, chills, or jaundice, go to A&E/seek urgent care.
10) What happens if a gallbladder bursts?
A ruptured gallbladder can leak bile into the abdomen and cause serious infection (peritonitis). This is an emergency requiring urgent treatment.
11) Can gallstones cause back or shoulder pain?
Yes. Pain can “refer” to the back or right shoulder blade, which is why it’s often mistaken for muscle strain.
12) Can GLP-1 medications increase gallstone risk?
Rapid weight loss is a known risk factor. GLP-1 medications may increase risk indirectly in some people because they can lead to substantial weight loss.
13) Did Mounjaro cause my gallstones — or was it the weight loss?
For many people, the speed of weight loss is the biggest driver of risk. Medication may contribute indirectly through accelerated fat loss.
14) Can you take Mounjaro after gallbladder removal?
Many people do, but it must be guided by your clinician. Timing can depend on your recovery and any complications.
15) How long after gallbladder removal can you restart GLP-1?
This varies. Some clinicians prefer waiting until you’re fully recovered and your digestion stabilises. Follow your surgeon/prescriber’s advice.
16) What are common side effects after gallbladder removal?
Temporary loose stools, bloating, and fat sensitivity are common during adaptation. Most people improve over time.
17) Why do some people get diarrhoea after gallbladder removal?
Continuous bile flow can irritate the colon in some people, leading to loose stools or diarrhoea.
18) What is bile acid diarrhoea and can it happen after surgery?
Bile acid diarrhoea happens when excess bile acids reach the colon and trigger watery diarrhoea. It can occur after gallbladder removal and is treatable — ask your clinician.
19) What diet helps after gallbladder removal?
Many people do best starting with smaller meals and lower fat foods, then reintroducing fats gradually as tolerance improves.
20) Do digestive enzymes help after gallbladder removal?
Some people choose enzymes to support general digestion during dietary changes. They’re not a treatment for gallstones or surgery complications — think “support,” not “fix.”
Disclaimer: This article shares personal experience and educational context. It does not replace professional medical advice. If you have severe symptoms, fever, jaundice, persistent vomiting, or escalating pain, seek urgent medical care.
