The whole gallbladder thing

My point, for all those who have missed it, is that not everyone who experiences a gallbladder attack or stones MUST have it removed.

This may or may not apply to YOUR specific situation, I don't know. I don't particularly care, I'm simply saying that perhaps people might want to do a little bit of research and experimentation before going under the knife. It's all too common now for anyone who experiences any sort of discomfort to be advised to have it out.

Nope cut it out...when you have pancreatitis, the only relief you have for days on end is to stand under a scalding shower, you cant get out of bed, wont even drink water and are knocking on death's door its' time for the blessed surgeons. Best option for gall stones is to take it out. I am right on this end of story.

Rapid weight loss of any sort can cause gallstones. I had mine out and I feel so much better.

"But welcome to a world of lets just yank it out instead of learning how to live with it. " My doctor made a sharp point of telling me that it would not get better. It would get progressively worse, and it could cause pancreatitis as well. And yes, I was eating very low fat at the time, so that wasn't a contributing factor. So while surgery certainly isn't the cure for everything, I see nothing positive in living with gallbladder attacks and trying to soldier on.

the OP said she had attacks when losing weight. and possibly from eating excessive amounts of greasy food. Unless I misunderstood?
as the gallbladder does not like weight fluctuations it's entirely possibly that if the OP maintained her weight and did not overindulge in fried foods, hers would never bother her again.

However, doctors and patients are very quick to simply remove an internal organ these days despite many people having problems after the loss of it (google it). It's apparently a "useless" organ. I wonder why it's there?

Nope, you didn't misunderstand. I threw it in there that I was eating low fat because some folks have more trouble with their gallbladders when they eat fat, apparently the OP being one of them.

I suppose the OP may never have another issue, but I am skeptical of it. My understanding is that the issue is progressive for most people.

I did not say it's a useless organ, and I am well aware some people continue to have trouble. However, if one is having pain and inflammation and stones, it's not going to get better. It isn't as if I had attacks and a surgeon rushed at me with a scalpel. My doctor warned me the issue would only get worse. I didn't want to continue with the debilitating pain. So I saw a surgeon, who couldn't operate for a couple of weeks. During that time, despite a very low fat diet, I had pain that doubled me over, and I'm not a wimp. When I did have surgery, the surgeon told me that my gallbladder was very inflamed, full of stones, and that it would only have gotten worse. Some people end up with stones in the common bile duct---another painful issue.

I don't think surgery for a failing gallbladder is bad. If the OP wants to let it ride, by all means she should do so. But I think it's precipitous to say that in this instance doctors or strangers on the internet are urging her to make a hasty choice. I am not urging her to see a surgeon. I am stating I had mine out and haven't had any further issues. Mine wasn't going to get better.

ETA: you seem to have a strong anti surgical bias, and that's cool. Everyone has to make their own choices. No need to snark at people about a quick fix over having their gallbladders out. It's a medical issue, not a moral one.

it's not a medical issue as much as it a question of ignorance and apathy.

If you feel that my having my gallbladder out is an issue of ignorance and apathy, then cheers to you. Live as you wish; I'll be doing the same.

yes, because all my posts and observations were specifically tailored to you and YOUR situation.

butthurt.

As you will. I don't think for a moment all of your replies were about me and my situation. And you are clearly determined to argue. I simply don't give a rat's back pocket any more, so carry on. BTW, I have no idea what butthurt means. I assume it is insulting. Apparently I am not current on internet speak.

Damn I pray that you never suffer from a gall bladder attack or from pancreatitis. You would quickly change your tune. Weight loss will almost likely result in the development of bile suldge which could develop into gall stones or block bile ducts.

Please dont insult people like that.

Rapid weight loss of any sort can cause gallstones. I had mine out and I feel so much better.

"But welcome to a world of lets just yank it out instead of learning how to live with it. " My doctor made a sharp point of telling me that it would not get better. It would get progressively worse, and it could cause pancreatitis as well. And yes, I was eating very low fat at the time, so that wasn't a contributing factor. So while surgery certainly isn't the cure for everything, I see nothing positive in living with gallbladder attacks and trying to soldier on.

the OP said she had attacks when losing weight. and possibly from eating excessive amounts of greasy food. Unless I misunderstood?
as the gallbladder does not like weight fluctuations it's entirely possibly that if the OP maintained her weight and did not overindulge in fried foods, hers would never bother her again.

However, doctors and patients are very quick to simply remove an internal organ these days despite many people having problems after the loss of it (google it). It's apparently a "useless" organ. I wonder why it's there?

Nope, you didn't misunderstand. I threw it in there that I was eating low fat because some folks have more trouble with their gallbladders when they eat fat, apparently the OP being one of them.

I suppose the OP may never have another issue, but I am skeptical of it. My understanding is that the issue is progressive for most people.

I did not say it's a useless organ, and I am well aware some people continue to have trouble. However, if one is having pain and inflammation and stones, it's not going to get better. It isn't as if I had attacks and a surgeon rushed at me with a scalpel. My doctor warned me the issue would only get worse. I didn't want to continue with the debilitating pain. So I saw a surgeon, who couldn't operate for a couple of weeks. During that time, despite a very low fat diet, I had pain that doubled me over, and I'm not a wimp. When I did have surgery, the surgeon told me that my gallbladder was very inflamed, full of stones, and that it would only have gotten worse. Some people end up with stones in the common bile duct---another painful issue.

I don't think surgery for a failing gallbladder is bad. If the OP wants to let it ride, by all means she should do so. But I think it's precipitous to say that in this instance doctors or strangers on the internet are urging her to make a hasty choice. I am not urging her to see a surgeon. I am stating I had mine out and haven't had any further issues. Mine wasn't going to get better.

ETA: you seem to have a strong anti surgical bias, and that's cool. Everyone has to make their own choices. No need to snark at people about a quick fix over having their gallbladders out. It's a medical issue, not a moral one.

it's not a medical issue as much as it a question of ignorance and apathy.

If you feel that my having my gallbladder out is an issue of ignorance and apathy, then cheers to you. Live as you wish; I'll be doing the same.

yes, because all my posts and observations were specifically tailored to you and YOUR situation.

butthurt.

As you will. I don't think for a moment all of your replies were about me and my situation. And you are clearly determined to argue. I simply don't give a rat's back pocket any more, so carry on. BTW, I have no idea what butthurt means. I assume it is insulting. Apparently I am not current on internet speak.

Damn I pray that you never suffer from a gall bladder attack or from pancreatitis. You would quickly change your tune. Weight loss will almost likely result in the development of bile suldge which could develop into gall stones or block bile ducts.

Please dont insult people like that.

perhaps you should read back a little before mouthing off?

I have had gallstones and attacks for over 20 years.

Didnt read that sorry and I knew OP had gallstones I just know from my experience it can quickly turn worse. ICU death door worse.

Honestly, I dont know how you live with the pain? I couldnt function for about a month
The only option was surgery, and I thank God for my skilled surgeon

I am the OP and post op after Feb 19/2013 surgery. The whole gallbladder journey for me was a nightmare first starting off in Nov/2012, with my craving of a large pizza the evening before, which I felt led to the first gallbladder attack. Everything gallbladder related seemed to go downhill ever since.

Only after the 8th major attack, 2nd hospitalization, and the attack in Feb/2013 by far my worst, they took me more seriously and ran a series of scans, xrays and even an MRI discovering a severe situation. A technician actually said "you have an angry bladder in there". Admitted to hospital Feb 11/2013, the plan was to proceed with surgery and spend an entire week in hospital on IV antibiotics. Next week following would be the surgery. While in hospital, I was having attacks and I was eating jello and clear broth soups.

Feb 19/2013 surgery ~ I was anxious to get rid of this sucker, yet was petrified when told I would not go through the usual route of laparoscopic surgery (faster recovery time), but the full open surgery was required. I was in hospital for another week then discharged. I see the surgeon in 1 1/2 weeks. It’s over now but at times I am in major pain. Each day gets a bit better and nurses visit every day to tend to bandage dressing changes. Pain lower and upper back and neck are worse than the incision area.

As far as the weight goes, I am having trouble with eating/weight again. This time, it is difficult to have an appetite when one is in pain, but it is definitely required for healing and am on better pain regimen which is helping. I am down to 145, so lost 5 pounds. The surgeons I have spoken with have reassured me that I will be able to eat just about anything I want, but I really will be cautious with the fried food.

I expect, with the open surgery to be on my feet in 6 – 8 weeks and will keep you up to date.

I had the unfortunate experience of having my first gallbladder attack in Nov. 2012. A horrific experience to say the least (I've been told this is worse than childbirth!), and to make a long story short, 4 more attacks have followed and 30 pounds lost; here I sit with sometimes not knowing if I eat something will it bring another attack. I have been on the "Gallbladder forums", but couldn't find anything for my dilemma, and just wonderin' if any of you out there have experienced this problem. The weight loss has been bittersweet, as I am now 150 lbs, and always in the 200's thoughout my adult years. I would like to lose a bit more for the gallbladder surgery scheduled for April 12/2013, BUT don't want to lose too fast yet lose enough to keep surgery complications to a minimum.

gallbladders do not like weight instability.
loss or gain can trigger them.

But welcome to a world of lets just yank it out instead of learning how to live with it.

I am the OP and post op after Feb 19/2013 surgery. The whole gallbladder journey for me was a nightmare first starting off in Nov/2012, with my craving of a large pizza the evening before, which I felt led to the first gallbladder attack. Everything gallbladder related seemed to go downhill ever since.

Only after the 8th major attack, 2nd hospitalization, and the attack in Feb/2013 by far my worst, they took me more seriously and ran a series of scans, xrays and even an MRI discovering a severe situation. A technician actually said "you have an angry bladder in there". Admitted to hospital Feb 11/2013, the plan was to proceed with surgery and spend an entire week in hospital on IV antibiotics. Next week following would be the surgery. While in hospital, I was having attacks and I was eating jello and clear broth soups.

Feb 19/2013 surgery ~ I was anxious to get rid of this sucker, yet was petrified when told I would not go through the usual route of laparoscopic surgery (faster recovery time), but the full open surgery was required. I was in hospital for another week then discharged. I see the surgeon in 1 1/2 weeks. It’s over now but at times I am in major pain. Each day gets a bit better and nurses visit every day to tend to bandage dressing changes. Pain lower and upper back and neck are worse than the incision area.

As far as the weight goes, I am having trouble with eating/weight again. This time, it is difficult to have an appetite when one is in pain, but it is definitely required for healing and am on better pain regimen which is helping. I am down to 145, so lost 5 pounds. The surgeons I have spoken with have reassured me that I will be able to eat just about anything I want, but I really will be cautious with the fried food.

I expect, with the open surgery to be on my feet in 6 – 8 weeks and will keep you up to date.