Back in the hospital again

I'm back in the hospital once again. I was doing really well. I had already gone back to work, I was eating regular food and keeping it down and then all of a sudden on Sunday evening, I took two bites of grilled chicken and became violently ill. Since Sunday it's been constant vomiting and constant pain on my right side. I went to the ER Tuesday night and they loaded me up with pain meds and sent me home. Yesterday, I followed up with my doctor who took one look at me and sent me right away to the ER for fluids because I was very dehydrated. In the ER this time, they did an ultrasound and determined that my gallbladder is very inflamed and infected so it has to come out today. They kept me overnight and it  will be getting removed at 12:00 today.  I'm a little discouraged because I'm scared this is just the beginning of declining health. Other than being overweight, I've been a healthy person. I've never had surgery before the RNY and now it seems like my body is falling apart. I'm also not particularly keen on having my surgery on Friday the 13th, but oh well.

Just needed to vent.

((((Shannon)))),

I understand your frustration and distress, but please understand that while it is known that some people, up to 10%, will have issues with gallbladder stones following weight loss, through surgery or other means, it has been determined that routine gallbladder removal is not recommended and now it is only recommended/done when there is evidence of gallbladder disease at the time of the RNY surgery. It's also actually not uncommon for women to have issues with it following childbirth, which was the case with me. At any rate, removing the diseased gallbladder it is very well managed and treated with laproscopic the removal of the gallbladder and stones. Our gallbladders store bile that acts like a 'detergent' to help our bodies digest the fats that we eat during a 'fatty' meal to help us dissolve and absorb the fat that we eat. That said, it is not considered a necessary organ and many do just fine without it.

I had my gallbladder removed about 10 years prior to my RNY and while no surgery is pleasant experience, not suffering those attacks was definitely worth it. In line with maintaining a healthy weight, I don't eat what would be considered a high fat diet anymore, but honestly after I had my surgery 10 years ago, I was eating a high fat diet and did just fine without my gallbladder. I'm sure that you will not be eating a significantly high fat diet on a routine basis since you have had your surgery and are working to live a leaner, healthier life, but what I'm trying to say is that you are not likely to 'miss' having your gallbladder, with the exception of no longer suffering those horrible attacks. If your experience is like mine and that of many others, you are likely to find the recovery as easy, if not easier than your RNY surgery. If it makes you feel any better, I have not suffered any ill effects from not having my gallbladder; to the contrary, I no longer have that unbelievable pain associated with those darned gallstones. 

I wish you all the best and am sure that you'll feel much better after you no longer have to deal with that incredible pain. 

Feel better soon,