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Sharon

  • Gallbladder Surgery
  • 09/02/2026
Sharon – Gallbladder

Gallbladder Surgery at HCB Dénia with Dr Antonio Alberola

I had been having trouble with my gallbladder for about four years, and it kept getting worse as time went on. Last August it reached a peak. I was in A&E with severe symptoms and was told I’d be waiting about a month. I suspected gallstones myself because the symptoms were exactly the same. They sent me for a CT scan and confirmed that I did have gallstones.

Quality of life

I had been in and out of A&E countless times — vomiting, unable to walk from the pain, never knowing what I could or couldn’t eat. It affected every part of my daily life. I work as a carer in the community, helping people, and there were days when I felt so nauseous that I had to leave work and go straight home to bed. I had constant digestive issues and no energy.

I know I have a good pain threshold, but this pain was debilitating. I couldn’t cope anymore. You need to be able to get on with your daily life, but I was up at night in pain, exhausted, and missing out on the joys of everyday living. Eating was pure trial and error. I had pressure pains in my stomach that spread through my body, and I vomited bile regularly — it burns your throat and stomach.

My digestive system was so bad that I never ate three meals a day. Most days I only ate once, and some days it was just a bowl of cereal. If I knew I was working, I barely ate at all because I was afraid of the pain.

Finding the solution

I did some research online and, to be honest, I was a bit sceptical at first. But I made the first call on the 19th of January, and I was flown out on the 25th of January. I’m recovering really well now and I’m already looking forward to being able to eat properly again — without nausea, without acid reflux, without feeling uncomfortably full for hours, and without being afraid to eat later in the day.

The whole experience has been amazing. The level of care at HCB Dénia has been second to none. Dr Antonio Alberola is amazing, and every single doctor and nurse I encountered was brilliant. I was only in hospital for one night, but from start to finish everything was explained so clearly — what was going to happen, how I would feel afterwards, and what to expect during recovery. It was all very reassuring. I had no fear at all; I was ready.

Everything was organised — picked up from the airport, brought everywhere, and looked after completely. You don’t have to worry about anything. The drivers provide amazing transport to and from the hospital for all of your appointments.

I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a very long time. I’m already recommending Healthcare Abroad to friends and family, and some are now thinking of coming over themselves. I’ve met some lovely people here since Sunday, and all the feedback I’ve heard has been positive. I want to give a huge shout-out to all the staff. I can’t thank or praise them enough.

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