TikToker Warns Against Gallbladder Removal: ‘The Worst Decision I Ever Made’
Undergoing surgery to remove an organ is a serious decision. While it can be lifesaving for some, others have regrets—and TikToker @kkjonessss is one of them. She recently went viral with a stark warning: “Do not get your gallbladder removed.”
Why Is She So Adamant?
“Do not get your gallbladder removed. I repeat, do not get your gallbladder removed,” she emphasized in her video. “It is the worst decision I have ever made in my entire life. I regret it so much.”
She shared her story, which began in 2018, just one month postpartum. Experiencing severe pain, she went to the ER and learned she was suffering from gallstone attacks. A doctor recommended removing her gallbladder, and in desperation, she agreed.
“I was like, ‘Literally say no more, like, get rid of the [expletive] thing. I’m in so much pain,’” she recounted. Looking back, she now calls it her first mistake.
Despite assurances from her doctor that recovery would be easy, she described the aftermath as painful. “Here we are, six years later, and basically, my body just doesn’t work the same. I can’t process fats at all,” she revealed.
Coping After Gallbladder Removal
To manage her symptoms, the TikToker relies on enzymes and ox bile supplements daily to help with digestion. “If I don’t take them, I’m in pain,” she said. She also discovered a supplement online that claims to dissolve gallstones—a solution she wishes she had explored before surgery.
“I regret not looking into all this myself and just trusting everything the doctors had to say. I take everything with a grain of salt now, and I do my own research,” she concluded, hoping her story serves as a cautionary tale.
The video, which has amassed over 515,000 views, sparked a debate in the comments.
What Does Science Say?
According to the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the gallbladder is one of the few organs that can be removed without significant impact on bodily functions. After removal, bile flows directly into the small intestine, allowing fat digestion to continue.
However, Healthline notes that digesting large amounts of high-fat or greasy foods can be more challenging without a gallbladder. Supplements like ox bile or digestive enzymes (lipase, amylase, protease, pancreatin) can aid digestion, as highlighted by Nutri Advanced and Genetic Nutrition.
As for gallstone-dissolving supplements, experts are skeptical. Royal Free London Private Patients explains that oral dissolvers “simply do not work.”
Commenters Share Their Experiences
Viewers had mixed reactions to the TikToker’s warning.
- “Wish I never had mine removed,” one user wrote.
- “I had gallstones 14 years ago and didn’t remove it. I haven’t had an attack in 10 years,” shared another.
Others, however, defended gallbladder removal as necessary:
- “Gallbladder attacks are worse than labor,” one commenter said.
- “I had mine removed, and it was the best decision ever. The attacks were unbearable,” another added.
Some acknowledged the variation in outcomes:
- “I didn’t have a choice. My gallbladder was blocked. It’s been fine since surgery. Sorry others don’t have the same experience,” one user shared.
Ultimately, the TikToker’s story highlights the importance of understanding all medical options and potential outcomes before undergoing surgery.
