Gallstones and surgery coming up.. what did I do wrong? nearly 6 weeks out from my...
Just wanted you to know you did absolutely NOTHING wrong. It happens - especially after/during rapid weight loss. My surgeon took mine out when he took out the majority of my stomach with my "RnY". I'd never had gall bladder problems, it was a preventative thing since I had had a lot of abdominal issues and pain.
My RnY/near total gastrectomy was done laproscopically. (sp?) But since then I've had to have two additional abdominal surgeries that were both open. I actually had less pain with those two. The last one, last summer I had to go home with a drain and I actually never even took pain meds after I was released from the hospital the day after. The drain removal didn't hurt one bit either. My surgeon was surprised. Maybe I've been cut enough there that my nerves are numb or some such.
All this to say: try not to worry that you "did" something to cause this and try not to worry as well about the open surgery thing. We never know how our bodies will respond and sometimes we can actually be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck and please keep us posted. I'm pretty sure you'll do great!
Thank you to all who have responded. I just have been blah feeling with the nausea and pain and when you are problem free for nearly 6 weeks and something happens you start over analyzing "what did i do?" lol.
I went today to the doctor. We both decided since the stones are rather large and I am in the process of healing lets get this behind me so I can focus on my goals. He did assure me that It could be a number of factors that lead to it. I could have had it before the RnY and since I was on 3 weeks of liquid and I JUST got on pureed Tuesday that could be why its acting up now. There hasnt been much fat in my diet so to speak to aggravate it.
So now I go Monday to have a lap-choloe (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) . One little bump on my road to success!
When I had my first gallbladder attack, I was on the South Beach Diet and had lost about 60+ pounds. The morning of my first attack I had eaten an apple and a South Beach Diet bar. Based on what the surgeon told me about the size of my stones and the condition of my gallbladder, I should have been feeling nauseous after every meal. Losing weight may have exacerbated the stones and prevented more pain in my case! I really think you'll feel much better once your gall bladder is taken care of!
I did not go through this with my surgery, but about 2 years before after I gave birth to my second daughter. Rapid weight loss can cause these issues. Its nothing you have done wrong, so don't think that. I am not a doctor nor know your medical history, but they should be able to do it via laser. They removed mine via laser, have three tiny small scars the size of staples. I'm pretty sure if they don't have to open you up, they won't. I was literally at the hospital for maybe an hour and a half. the procedure itself, once you are out, usually takes 15 minutes. Very routine. I had zero recovery time really from that. I little achy and out of it from meds, but that's it. Good luck to you! And it will all be ok!
Many, many people who have weight loss surgery OR lose it on their own without surgery often get gallstones and gallbladder problems.
I did NOT have any "usual symptoms"....No pain, no discomfort, just lots of nausea and (pardon me) Diarrhea. When I went in to get checked for gallbladder, its NEVER good when the tech asks "As you SURE you aren't having any pain?!?!" and brings other techs to look who make big "astounding eyes"....# days later I was getting my gallbladder removed and part of it was DEAD (necrotic). To this day I have severe liver problems and HE and think that the gallbladder was the problem. Never blame yourself. It just happens.. Be thankful for each day you wake up and have your loved ones at your side.
I cannot get a liver transplant because it is autoimmune and they do not have it (the seizures and hepatic encepalopathy) under control. So I have been told that at any day I could go into coma. I still would do RNY in a heartbeat and do not blame anyone.
OK?
Warmly,
Jackie
Thank you for the kind reply :) I finally got it out a few days ago. my doctor even expressed I could have had them long before the surgery. I lost nearly 100 pounds on my own in 9 months. He said he could have left it but since i am having pain lets get it out cause the stones were big and it would block things in there and cause it to leak (not verbatim actually) but i think that was his concern. Either way im just hoping for this being the best move cause im ready to get back on track on my journey. :)
Been there done that. I had a gallbladder attack 1 week after surgery and had to have mine out. I was taking actigal but apperently that was not enough. My surgeon had asked me right after my slleve if I had a history of gallbladder issues as he noted it to have been scarred. So was not totally surprised it had to go.
