Gallstones galore: Thai TikTok user warns against bubble tea after 200,000 baht surgery (video)

Photo: Bebe14/Shutterstock.

A TikTok user identified as @ink.pimbongkoch shared her younger sister’s distressing ordeal after she was diagnosed with gallstones, with a shocking count of 72 stones. The sister had been enduring intense abdominal pain, which led to a hospital visit where doctors revealed the unexpected cause.

The TikTok user explained in her video.

“This is terrifying, how could this many stones accumulate in the body?”

She added text on the video, advising bubble tea enthusiasts to be aware of the potential health risks linked to excessive consumption, as her sister was a frequent bubble tea drinker, consuming two to three glasses daily for over a decade.

She mentioned that the doctors were astounded by the quantity of gallstones, which was far from normal. Typically, a person may have two to ten stones, and the cost of the surgery to remove them is considerably high. She warned those who frequently experienced abdominal pain to be cautious.

In a follow-up video, she explained that gallstones form from the accumulation of various substances. These can include tea, fried food, artificial creams, sugar, cholesterol, and various sweet drinks. The gallstones, resembling stones, had caused her sister’s persistent stomach ache, which no medication could alleviate.

@ink.pimbongkoch

น่ากลัวมากอยู่ในท้องเยอะขนาดนี้ได้ไง #นิ่วในถุงน้ําดี #ปวดท้องรุนแรง #อิ้งพิมบงกช #ตามใจอิ้ง

♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – อิ้ง พิมบงกช – อิ้ง พิมบงกช

She reflected on her sister’s lifestyle and noticed her excessive consumption of bubble tea, two to three glasses daily since her teenage years. Now at 29 years old, she suspects that this might be the cause of the gallstones.

She clarified that bubble tea isn’t harmful, but it should be consumed in moderation. Otherwise, it may lead to the accumulation of substances in the body, causing gallstones. She revealed the surgery cost over 200,000 baht, reported Sanook.

Since her post, many viewers have shared their concerns and questioned about the symptoms.

“What were the symptoms? I’ve experienced severe stomach aches that extend to the back, it’s unbearable. I feel like throwing up and defecating. Were her symptoms similar?”

She replied that the symptoms were similar.

“Frequent stomach aches, backaches, and medication don’t help. The pain gradually intensifies until it’s unbearable.”

On being asked about the area of pain, she indicated that it was around the middle of the chest. Symptoms included a bloated stomach and persistent stomach aches that no medication could alleviate. It was unbearable to the point of requiring immediate surgery.

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Thailand News

Samantha Rose

Samantha was a successful freelance journalist who worked with international news organisations before joining Thaiger. With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from London, her global perspective on news and current affairs is influenced by her days in the UK, Singapore, and across Thailand. She now covers general stories related to Thailand.

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