Been in pain for days and looks like the only way out is removing my gallbladder.
I would think that if GP refers me to someone, it will take longer time to get the surgery appointment. There is the private surgeon option, does anyone know how much they cost?
I’ve had gall stones and gall bladder issues for a couple years. It has gotten progressively worse. My surgery is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Needless to say, I’ve got all kinds of emotions going through my head. I’m excited to have it done to be able to get back to normal.
I have read several stories on here to try to prepare myself for the recovery. Anything I should know?
Hi folks! I'm having my gallbladder surgery in two days, but I'm having a lot of anxiety about it - I know the short-term prognoses are generally pretty good and there's a low risk of complication, but what about the long-term? After reading the Nature article on how gallbladder surgery is linked to systemic metabolic disregulation (https://www.nature.com/articles/labinvest201795) and coming across a lot of forums on how difficult people are finding it to control weight after gallbladder removal, I've been really worried about whether this will make it extra hard for me to lose/maintain weight. I'm not currently overweight, but I've always had a slow metabolism and struggled to maintain my weight despite a fairly healthy diet and regular exercise, and I worry this will make it even harder :/ Moreover, diabetes and HBP run in my family, so I think I'm already prone to metabolic problems.
Has anyone been able to lose weight and keep it off well after their surgery, or hasn't found it any more difficult to lose/maintain weight? Would love some reassurance here. Thanks!
Possible relevant details ahead.
Surgery was in February, I completely forgot that I was given the container with my gallbladder and I only recently found it while cleaning the house.
How do I safely dispose of it?
Hey all! I’m a Premed student, so I’ve got a pretty busy schedule and course load. I need to get my gallbladder removed in 2 weeks, which will be 1 week into the new semester. I can do my classes remotely, but my questions are around my likely mental ability and pain levels. It’s going to be a laparoscopic procedure.
I’m a 29M, a little overweight but decently active, exercise 3x week for about an hour each time.
How bad is it likely to hurt, and for how long? Am I likely to need heavy pain medication past the second day? Ideally I can manage with just ibuprofen from around the 2nd to 4th day, because I need to focus and get my work done. If it’s going to be more than that, let me know so I can make plans.
Thank you!
Hey y’all: I (30F) had emergency gallbladder surgery on Thursday of last week. I was in immense pain for 11 days before the surgery, requiring two ER visits. I also had issues getting my regular doctor to help me or move the process along. I ended up going to a different state (where my family resides) because I knew and trusted the doctors there. That caused a lot of stress because my GL dismissed my symptoms. Long story short, they didn’t give two shits about me.
I met with the surgeon on Wednesday and had surgery on Thursday morning. It was pretty scary to be in so much pain and agony but I was just looking forward to getting the surgery done, once I knew what was wrong with me (first thought it was kidney stones). I’ve had a laparoscopy done before for other matters, last year in fact, around this same time, and it wasn’t this difficult to recover. I’m struggling. My healing is taking much longer than it did last year, and my pain level is higher.
I took bandages off today and was surprised to see staples used and a pretty gnarly looking 2 inch incision. For some reason, this caused a panic attack in me. I guess everything was just done so quickly I forgot to ask how the incision would look afterwards. The surgeon found gallstones, chronic AND acute gallbladder disease. I’ve been hurting for a while, but have other chronic conditions, so this wasn’t really noticed for a while.
Basically I’m all the things… -guilt: am I a fat ass that caused myself to have surgery by 30? -frustration/anger: why am I always suffering in pain with no end in sight? Why can’t I get my life together? I feel like I can’t catch a break. -depression: am I ever going to get better or is this my life forever? Chronic illness and all that comes with it. Will I end up like my dad (chronic conditions that caused him to be a drug abuser and die by 50)? -fear: I’m scared of infection with this incision. I’m scared of eating. I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of becoming like my dad.
I know I’m not alone in this, and this is why I’m reaching out to this group. Maybe just writing it all out will be cathartic. At least that’s what my therapist says. If you’re still reading, thank you. It gives me hope for humanity at this point. I just want to live my life.
TL;DR: had emergency gallbladder surgery last week, and I’m struggling mentally and physically. Am I alone? Any advice?
Albeit, they only last like 10 minutes compared to the hours to sometimes days long "actual" gallbladder attacks but it still really sucks randomly having attacks.
I don't eat terrible. I cook dinner every night and only eat out like once a month. Dinner mostly consists of chicken, a green, and some version of potatoes. I don't use a lot of butter or oil, and bake/air fry everything I can.
My one trigger that I know for a fact is pork. I cook porkchops sometimes and almost every morning after, phantom attack. Every other time is random.
I'm just curious if anyone else is experiencing phantom attacks after surgery, especially a year later.
I use to be on keto last year and had a lot of success. I got sick earlier this year and had to stop. It turns out I had to have my gallbladder removed in August. Can I go back on keto now or is it a diet that isn't compatible?
Hi everyone,
I had my gallbladder surgery back in may. Since about two weeks after that I have ongoing digestion problems which basically lead to water/loose stools. This has subsided with the use of Imodium but once I stop this it goes back to be uncomfortable.
I still have pain in my right side of my stomach although I do might think that is down to surgery as the main normally comes from movement. My main digestion pain/problems come from the lower stomach, almost just above the bladder which leads to me needing to go to the toilet.
Has anyone had any problems similar to these?
20F So I’m getting my gallbladder out in about 12 hours. I’m so freaking nervous and I don’t know what to expect? Also I know I have to have a very restrictive diet for a while but I have the biggest sweet tooth. How long until I’ll be able to have sugar like candy, cookies, etc? Also what was the worst thing about getting you gallbladder out? Thankyou so much 😊
Has anyone else needed surgery while dealing with long covid? I'm out of paid time off. I want this damn thing out but if it's going to knock me on my ass for weeks it's going to have to wait until my the new year.
Has anyone in Winnipeg had any of the alternatives treatments for gallstones? Such as shockwaves or MTBE Injections?
I started having upper right quadrant pain in April after losing quite a bit of weight in a short period of time.
I was initially referred to upper GI specialist who sent me for an ultrasound. Results came back inconclusive as my gallbladder was contracted, so I was then sent for an MRI scan. The gallbladder was completely contracted and hard to visualise.
I was then referred to a surgeon who told me he was pretty sure it was gallstones but wanted another Ultrasound. This did confirm the presence of gallstones, but once again my gallbladder was completely contracted. Apparently this will never change now.
Fast forward and my surgeon want his remove my gallbladder in January. He had mentioned that because my gallbladders is contracted he may have to revert to an open procedure.
Does anybody know the actual chances of this, are us the surgeon likely covering all basis and informing me “just in case?”
So far so good. I did NOT take a narcotic last night (I opted for two extra strength Tylenol, and then an Aleve pm about 7 hours later)
I feel sore and my throat is a bit hoarse from the tube, but otherwise I am really surprised how little I have felt it so far.
I’m going to be having gallbladder surgery next week and I’ve been reading up on what things I’m allowed to eat, but I was just wondering if anyone here has went through this and what your go-to food was, or what recommendations you’d give. Also, what would be a good drink to have during post-op besides water? For some reason Ive been bad at remembering to drink water, so I’m thinking that getting something else alongside that might make it a bit better. Plus I’ll probably be in bed for a few days, so I’ll need something for extra nutrition. Thank you!
So I've had chronic gastritis for the past five years (basically a constant raw/gnawing feeling , made worse by certain foods like coffee, alcohol, nuts, most complete proteins and some other random stuff), confirmed via upper endoscopy. Then about three years ago I started intermittently feeling bloated/full for hours after eating relatively small meals, accompanied with occasional nausea. I figured this was just a new aspect of the gastritis, but then a few weeks ago I got a HIDA scan and my GEF was measured at 17%. Never had any indications of pain on the right side or anything like that, so I thought this was kind of strange. I was referred to a surgeon, who said removing the gallbladder may not relieve the gastritis, but there was a good chance it would eliminate the bloating/nausea. He seemed to feel pretty optimistic about it, so I went ahead and scheduled it for next weekend.
Now after reading more I'm starting to have second thoughts. On one hand, my life has been pretty hellish the last couple years--I can barely eat anything beyond rice and simple carbs without feeling like shit, and since 2016 I've gone from 152lbs to barely 130--so the thought of potentially resolving some of these issues sounds pretty amazing. But on the other hand, I've read it can make gastritis worse due to the bile reflux, and at the same time there's no guarantee that this will even have any positive outcome for me. Anybody have a similar history who has undergone this? If so, what was your experience like? Did it relieve any of your symptoms?
I made a post last week about whether or not I should get my gallbladder removed after having debilitatingly painful attacks. Went to the ER & they did an ultrasound, found no stones but sludge and thickening as well as slightly elevated liver enzymes.
The surgeon said it was basically up to me but the hospital says it will be $10k out of pocket even after applying insurance! Which I cannot afford. So I cannot get the surgery, after all.
What can I do besides avoid fatty food to stop the attacks? Currently I feel like my gallbladder is swollen and sore. I get upper right back pains that I’ve never had before. I’ve heard there is a medicine I could possibly get prescribed? Apple cider vinegar apparently helps? Has that helped anyone? I’ll take any suggestions.
I am planning on seeing a specialist soon when I can afford it. So far I’ve just seen ER doctor, PCP, and surgeon. None of which made me feel confident or understood. The surgeon even said “maybe it’s not even your gallbladder, we won’t know until after we take it out” and “we TRY to avoid bile duct injuries”
I’m so overwhelmed and exhausted. I also have severe anxiety and now I feel like I have a cloud of death hanging over me since I keep reading the gallbladder can get infected.
New
random thought and question but do they check all your organs while they are in there? have u guys got diagnosed with multiple things while they were in there? my doctor has suspended i have endometriosis for a long time n i was going to ask my surgeon n if can take a look and check to see if i have any while he’s removing my gallbladder tomorrow. also to check how my crohns is. but would it even be possible because i don’t know about how many cuts they do or how big the camera is and all. but yeah have u guys gotten ur other organs checked while they removed your gallbladder?
Two weeks ago I (f61) was awakened by constricting pain in my chest and back. Couldn’t get comfortable. Chest pain subsided, but back pain was constant, plus nausea. Diarrhea day before. Went to urgent care first, they sent me to ER. Got meds and tests, finally ultrasound and diagnosis of gallstones.
I’ve had a 20-year (or so) history of occasional mystery bouts of diarrhea, preceded by severe cramps.
Saw the surgeon today and scheduled laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery. My sisters questioned this since I’ve only had one severe attack. One sister has lived years with gallstones. I don’t really know if my history of occasional mystery diarrhea is gallbladder related. Reading many posts here I’m wondering if I’m jumping the gun. I was thinking that since I already met this year’s deductible, financially this might make sense (our US healthcare-aargh!). The diagnosis hasn’t affected my quality of life, yet. I’d welcome feedback.
Prayers for a quick recovery for all of you who are in pain and discomfort post-op.
I find myself awake for 6 hours then I’m already ready to go back to sleep for another 5 hours and repeat the cycle. Its got me concerned to be honest. My energy levels are soooo low. They’ve been worse since my stomach had been acting up the past week.
Still waiting for the hospital to call me back to schedule the gallbladder removal surgery since I have gallstones and super painful attacks.
After dealing with pain for at least six months along with nausea/vomiting and weight loss.. had hida scan done and my ef is 3%... can't get in to see a surgeon for another month... anyone have advice on how to deal with the symptoms and how you have adjusted after surgery? Thanks in advance
Finally had my gallbladder ‘removed’ yesterday. Typically what was expected to be a simple in and out day surgery took a bit of a turn once they got inside.
Turns out my intestine had managed to loop itself twice round the gallbladder or the duct. (I was still very out of it this morning when the surgeon was telling me) and there was so much scarring on both the gallbladder and the core bile duct my gallbladder has fused to my liver and they couldn’t get to the bile duct in the normal way from the sides to clamp it off.
So I’ve ended up with the back wall of my gallbladder in situ fused to my liver and the top of bile duct has been sutured closed rather than the usual clamping a bit lower down.
I had to stay in overnight with a drain and didn’t respond great to the anaesthetic either.
All in all quite an adventure! But I will say whilst I am incredibly uncomfortable right now the pain and the trapped wind is nowhere near as bad as an acute attack so I’d go through it all again in a heartbeat to have the bloody thing removed.
It’s scary going through any op but I know this pain will keep getting better day by day which is a much more pleasant headspace to be in instead of wondering when the next attack is coming on.
