Gall Bladder Problems

I thought that way too after my first attack....even after my second and third ++ attack. But by the time I was being rushed to the ER again after a 5th attack in so much pain that I past out in the middle of a grocery store I knew it was time to take care of my health! It's a diseased organ in your body, it's not going to get better. I had my surgery 2 years ago (the day before Thanksgiving) that way I had a 4 day weekend to recover. I was back to work the following Monday and back to walking on the treadmill the end of that week. The surgery is day surgery, it was a piece of cake. SO WORTH IT! If you delay it can become more serious and wind up being an emergency surgery. Also...believe me I've done my homework, there is no diet out there to eliminate gallstones, don't get sucked into that. If your doctor is advising you to get it removed...do it!!!

Best of luck to you:flowerforyou:

I had been told several years ago that I had gallstones and I should have my gallbladder removed. I had never had any symptoms, so I didn't think much of it.

That was until April 23 of this year. About midnight, I started to have this weird pain in my right upper abdomen. It went from being a weird pain to me thinking maybe if I could just throw up I'd feel better to me curled up in the fetal position on my bathroom floor in about 30 minutes. My husband took me to the ER where by that point I was describing my pain as an 8 out of 10. (I've been at what I would consider a 9 before where they gave me Valium with my morphine just so I would calm down but I was convinced I was on fire.)

The ER docs (once they made me take a pregnancy test) finally gave me pain drugs that knocked it down to a 3-4 if I was laying still, but if I had to sit up or stand up, or lay anywhere but on my left side, even with the drugs it was still 5-6. Eventually, I got an ultrasound where the tech said, "I'm not supposed to say anything, but I've never seen a gallbladder inflamed that much. I bet you'll have surgery tomorrow."

In fact, I had surgery that day. Someone from surgery was at my bedside within 20 minutes of me getting back from the ultrasound, and the surgeon himself was there 10 minutes after that. I was wheeled down to surgery within half an hour of him leaving.

And the pain stopped. The surgeon had to make a bigger incision than planned because my gallbladder was so inflamed and scarred. He was surprised I'd never had an actual attack before.

I was lucky in that I didn't have to go through that pain more than once.

I did have some complications with my healing, but none were too bad. (I'm allergic to dissolvable stitches, so my navel incision got infected and opened up. That was the worst.) I also lift heavy and was told not to do my normal workout for at least 5-6 weeks.

If you are having attacks, I would recommend getting the surgery done.

I had mine removed after multiple attacks. Getting an accurate diagnosis was complicated by other digestive issues. Because I scheduled it and was not in crisis at the time of surgery, they were able to use orthoscopic surgery. The surgeon poked three little holes in me and used instruments and a video camera to do the surgery. They closed the wounds with what looked like small scale duct tape to me, and recovery was relatively easy with minimal scarring.

I was told that if I had to have surgery during a gallbladder attack, it would have to be conventional surgery, with a big scar and long recovery. My gallstone was about the size of a robin's egg. The gallstones, once formed, don't dissolve on their own.

I've had several of these attacks. For me it seems that meals high in fat trigger them. After watching my fat intake at meals I have yet to have a severe attack. I'm sure at some point I will eventually have to have it removed but I'm biding my time with a healthy diet.

I had gall bladder problems 10 years ago. I finally went to a hospital's urgent care clinic after a night of not being able to sleep due to intensifying pain. I spent most of the day at the hospital where my pain lessened naturally as the hours passed. They gave me an ultrasound and diagnosed my gall bladder as the problem as a result. They said that the next time I had an attack, to go to a hospital emergency room for surgery. If possible, I wanted to avoid surgery. Since I knew my attacks were triggered by a high-fat diet, I became more careful in my eating. I wasn't extremely careful, just reasonably careful. In the past 10 years, I have had mild twinges, and promptly reduced my fat consumption. I credit that approach with saving me from further suffering. All the best to you!

Get it done its better to get it out of the way so u can keep going in weight loss! I had it done and its small incesions ur diet will change so it could help u with weigh loss in the process when I eat certain foods like Mexican it does make u have to go to the bathroom which is good I guess atleast after I eat tha certain foods it goes right back out lol but I know if u don't that horrible pain will come back and it's not fun

and the surgery does not sound pleasant (not that any of them really are).

It really isn't that bad. Seriously, I was exercising exactly one week after and I was completely healed within 10 days. I was able to get up and around a little the day I had it. The most difficult part was the anesthesia taking its time wearing off and then the Percocet made me dizzy.

Agreed! I was back to work in five days and back on the treadmill in 7. But of course check with your doctor first. :flowerforyou:

^^^^^ I agree with all the above! The surgery was day surgery, recovery time quick. I was working out again the following week. If you delay and it becomes emergency surgery...you may not be that lucky!

I am keeping my appointment to meet with the surgeon...also going to try some natural treatments until then. Thanks so much for the info!

Good luck! The best thing to do is talk it over with the docs and do some research.

Listen to the surgeon...if they tell you it's a good idea, get a second opinion if you must, but to delay for too long (if you decide not to get surgery) can cause it to be an emergency situation in the future. Believe me, I've been researching! I have my surgery next Friday...scared but looking forward to feeling like myself again. Since the massive attack I had in October, I've been feeling very off and very prone to pain. Thanksgiving was NOT a fun day...and I am trying very hard to follow as low a fat diet as I can. Take care, good luck and keep us informed! I've been thinking of you!