Living with Gallstones.

When Juliet Sullivan collapsed in agony on a pavement in England, she had no idea what was happening to her.

The diagnosis was gallstones, and along with it came instructions to follow a low-fat diet for several months until her gallbladder could be removed. What she could not find anywhere was a practical, accessible book to help her through it. So she wrote one.

In this episode, Juliet joins Catriona Williams to talk through her experience from first attack to full recovery, and shares the dietary wisdom she gathered along the way.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Gallstone attacks are frequently misdiagnosed at first because the pain, though felt in the upper abdomen, can mimic other conditions including appendicitis or cardiac events.

2. A low-fat or very low-fat diet is typically recommended to reduce the risk of triggering further attacks while awaiting surgery, but it is not a long-term solution and healthy fats remain important for overall wellbeing.

3. Keeping a food diary after diagnosis can help identify personal trigger foods, which vary between individuals. Common culprits include oils, butter, avocado, and rich restaurant or ready-made meals.

4. Gallbladder removal is a common procedure, but recovery is a genuine physical experience that deserves honest preparation rather than being minimised by healthcare teams.

5. After surgery, most people can gradually reintroduce a full and healthy diet, though many find their eating habits and awareness of fat content change permanently for the better.

Juliet Sullivan is the author of The Gallstone Friendly Diet, a practical and warmly written guide for anyone navigating life with gallstones before and after surgery.

Find the book online and follow My Health Focus for more conversations on everyday health.

My Health Focus is not a medical service. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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In this episode, we are joined by Oliver Rolfe, author of The Addiction Blueprint, to explore a form of addiction that often goes unnoticed — high-functioning addiction.

From the outside, it can look like success: long hours, professional drive, financial achievement, responsibility.

But beneath the surface can sit exhaustion, trauma, stress and emotional disconnection.

Oliver shares his own experience of burnout, the moment he realised something had to change, and what recovery actually involves. We discuss:

• The link between trauma and addictive behaviours

• Why overworking can become socially acceptable avoidance

• The difference between stress and true burnout

• The stigma around the word “addiction”

• The importance of awareness and early intervention

• Why relapse is part of the journey — not failure

This is not a conversation about extremes.

It’s about recognising the quieter patterns many high achievers live with — and understanding that support is available long before crisis point.

If you’ve ever felt you were running on empty, this episode may resonate.

My Health Focus is not a medical service. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Medmin episode, Catriona Williams is joined by Javeria Iqbal, Consultant Breast Surgeon, to discuss common breast symptoms and what to expect when attending a breast clinic.

The conversation focuses on reassurance, early assessment and helping people understand which changes should be checked and how clinics work.

Discussion includes:

•Common breast symptoms and changes

•What is considered normal and what needs checking

•Breast self-examination and when to seek help

•The triple assessment process

•NHS breast screening and self-referral

This episode is for information and education only and does not replace medical advice.

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My Health Focus is not a medical service. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

JOIN THE MY HEALTH FOCUS COMMUNITY AND SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.