Gallbladder Update (Long)

I went to Cy-Fair Hospital this morning for the gallbladder ultrasound and they did not see anything which means I have to be back at Cy-Fair on Monday morning for a HIDA scan. Dee (bariatric coordinator at Cy-Fair who also had RNY) said they did not find her gallbladder problems through the ultrasound -- it was the HIDA scan that detected it. So, I guess the jury is out until Monday on what is causing the pain.... I ran into Dr Wongsa this morning in the hallway on my way out of the hospital. He said that the stones, being that they are new, are probably very small and would not be picked up by the ultrasound. He said that the symptoms (pain in my ride side under the rib cage) might be my only indicator of a gallbladder problem and that no matter what the ultrasound and HIDA scan show or do not show, it would probably be a smart thing to go ahead and take the gallbladder out. He said that if you pass a stone into the bile duct and it becomes lodged in the duct, the only way to retrieve it would be an "open" surgery due to the RNY because they can no longer go in with a scope and retrieve it because of the stomach having been sectioned off. So, I guess that I will have a decision to make if the HIDA scan shows nothing. Do I go ahead and have the gallbladder out based on the pain in my side? What if it's gas and not my gallbladder? Granted, I have never felt gas like the pain I have been having but it makes me wonder since nothing showed on the ultrasound today. The pain comes and goes. It's not constant. The last time I felt it was Thursday. I have been symptom free for two days. The first time I felt the pain was about 2 weeks ago -- it lasted a few hours and disappeared for a few days... then I felt it again and it lasted a few hours and then went away for a few more days... and so on and so on. The pain is located in the exact same place each time and occurs in the exact same spot and the sensation is like a severe pinch. Almost feels like someone has reached into my abdomen, grabbed my flesh and is twisting/pinching. I do not want to have surgery unless it is truly necessary but on the other hand, I do not want to risk the "worst case scenario" as described by my surgeon. I guess that I will have to just take it day by day and see how I feel --and of course see what the results of the HIDA scan are. Any opinions? Love to know your thoughts... Thanks! Nancy Lap RNY 3/22/04 250/173/150

I had gallstones and had my gb removed years ago. The pattern was terrible pain about 4 hours after eating. It was worst after greasy or spicy food. Milk was bad too--it seemed to sour when it hit my stomach. Once it started hurting, it was a very constant ache. Changing positions, walking, etc. did not change it at all. I got some relief temporarily by sitting in the bathtub in VERY ho****er, but it did not last long. If this is what is happening to you, you will be very glad to be rid of it!!! I was 18 when I had my first attack and was 24 when I had it removed. I hope they figure it out and do the right thing for you! Joy

Hi Nancy, I don't envy your decision. I know it's a tough one. If you haven't been treated with Actigall or something similar, then you do have a much higher risk of developing a problem with your gall bladder after this surgery. Whatever your decision is, we will all be here for you to help you through it. mgm -78

I wish I had the perfect answer for you, but you and your family are the only ones that can decide that. I feel for you as the uncertanty is very frustrating. It's not an easy thing to decide. In 1998 They found lumps on my thyroid. They did two biopsies and they both came back with suspicious cells. Not definetly cancer but no definet no on cancer either. I opted to have the surgery to have it removed. The Dr. did a partial thyroidectomy and we sent the sample off to the lab to be tested and it came back negative. I was frustrated that I just had surgery for nothing but on the other hand what if I had not had the surgery and it did turn out to be cancer. Looking back I am glad that I decided to have the surgery. Good luck with your decision. Leslie

Please get another surgeon's opinion. Louise