Gallbladder issues years post RNY

Yes, I am actually aware of the risks of a malfunctioning gallbladder and the pain that results. I'm the one that sees the pain my husband is in while he goes through this. We're the ones that have sat in the emergency room twice in the past week. He also had an appointment earlier today with the surgeon that has been scheduled since last week. So, I'm pretty aware. My husband has been through eight surgeries in three years...his body has been through quite a bit...and he's not thrilled about having to have another surgery for his gallbladder...especially when we already know he needs another surgery in a couple of months for something completely different. My post was to get some feedback on some questions and concerns that we both had. I really didn't need to be told to "get off the internet and speak with a doctor". All we've seen is doctors for the past three years. There was no reason to assume we hadn't seen one yet and tell us to speak to one. In fact, my initial post actually states "Docs are saying his gallbladder needs to come out". I'm also not so gullible or ignorant as to not be able to decipher reputable sites. I feel some of her comments were rude and implied lack of common sense. Whether she meant them that way or not, I don't know. Perhaps she didn't. Perhaps there was just a breakdown in communication. I'm very open to differing opinions...I, personally, believe it's one way we all learn and grow...I just think one should be tactful when expressing those opinions.

I actually didn't mean "science lover" as an insult. When I read my response back, I still don't see that as an insult. Julie is, in fact, a science lover...nothing at all wrong with that or insulting about being referred to as that. She cites science several times in her post and it's even part of her user name. I have no fight with science...as I so stated in my initial response to her. Science and modern medicine have saved my husband's life on more than one occasion. We traveled almost 2,300 miles about a year and a hal*****o have my husband's surgery performed by one of the top surgeons in the world...yes, world (people travel from other countries to have their surgery by this doctor and he's saved thousands upon thousands of lives during his career) when my husband had a cancer recurrence. So, yay for science and modern medicine. I just don't feel that's the only way. For those that do...more power to you. That's the great thing about being individuals...we can feel and believe different things. I just feel that as long as we co-exist on the same planet and "support" forums and groups such as these exist some tact should be utilized when interacting with others. We can all disagree...it's just how we go about the disagreeing...IMO.

I understand you felt the need to defend Julie's "sensible advice" to me and what, you feel, was an insult by me. I can appreciate that. But I will say this...my impression of Julie is that she is a strong woman with her own passions, science being one of them (not an insult at all but actually a compliment...I have many passions of my own) and I have a feeling she's quite capable of defending herself if she feels the need to and chooses to. Julie and I exchanged opinions and views and, I'm sure, can agree to disagree on certain views.

Either way, I'm glad that gallbladder surgery worked out well for each of you.

Any malice, lack of tact, or absence of support in my text is 100% in your own head.

You kind of proved my point. Our definition of support and tact is very different. It isn't questioning someone's ability to decipher reputable sites or telling them to get off the internet. I belong to many support groups and forums (cancer groups, co-survivor/caregiver groups and other groups) and your response wasn't supportive or tactful...but, apparently, it's in my head. I do appreciate your bluntness though...just unfortunate it's not applied in a more constructive way. I have no doubt you have some valuable knowledge to share, it's too bad that it isn't articulated in such a way. Probably best to just agree to disagree. Best to you.

"Agree to disagree" it is. I don't think it's helpful to waste someone's time and hope on unproven "cures," especially when gallbladder pain is involved.

Good luck! :)

Well, unfortunately, we have time to "waste". Appointment with the surgeon had already been set last week for today. And we already knew it would be a couple of weeks before any impending surgery would be scheduled...unless it became an emergency situation...which the surgeon today deemed it isn't, as of right now. No harm in looking into...or trying...alternatives...and inquiring about them in support groups and forums such as these. No one can give us false hope unless we allow it...and we're able to determine what we put our faith in for ourselves when opinions are shared. I could bore you with our life's stories and what unproven cures have worked for us and what hasn't but I won't. Oh well, differing opinions is an opportunity to learn and grow...and that's something I can respect. Best :)

Cleanses are a hoax, a waste of money. You can't detox your body or gallbladder. It's a myth.

Just a general thought (my gall bladder was removed at the time of my WLS for too many reasons to cite here).

Would there be any harm done if the cleanse was attempted? It seems to me that gall bladder issues are so patient specific that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The only case that matters is that of your husband and I just don't think there is any way to reliably project his own personal results. Why not give it a try, assuming your hubby's doc has no concerns?

Just a thought.

That was our thought as well. Try the cleanse and then surgery if the cleanse didn't work. His concern though, with the cleanse, is that since RNY he can't vomit. He only dry heaves. Many people say that when they drink the olive oil/lemon juice mixture it makes their stomach feel yucky and some have claimed they vomit or feel like they're going to vomit. That part has him worried. He's also concerned that he'll rupture his already inflamed gallbladder with all the dry heaving...not sure if that can happen from dry heaving but it's definitely a concern he has as gallbladders can rupture. That's why we turned to this forum to see if anyone that's had an RNY has done a gallbladder cleanse. I agree that there is no on-size-fits-all solution and everyone is different and how their bodies handle things is different. Just hoping to gather some information here from others that have had RNY. Thanks for your response and thoughts. We appreciate it.

I personally know people who were able to pass GB stones during a liver GB cleanse, and avoid GB removal. But it was not first or a second cleanse. She had to do a few, within a 2-3 month period.

But she also prepped her system for that - drinking lots of apple juice "****tail" every day. Plus she was under a naturopath care. In case something would go wrong, and had a surgeon ready to do emergency surgery if her stone would get stuck in a bile tract.

Before RNY I did them a few times and had good results. Considering my family history with GB, I was able to avoid having GB "problems" - until I was in my late 40's. (My sister and my mom both had issues with the GB in their 30's)

But low fat diet post op RNY, plus the rapid weight loss - caused my GB to stop working. an

My GB became inflamed, and stop working all together. At the same time post op RNY my system became very fat and sugar sensitive- I would not even dream of attempting liver/GB cleanse. I believed it was too dangerous and unproven to risk my life on that. Plus I also had a hernia and "cleanse" could cause a severe damage.

I had my GB removed app 6 months post op. I did not have stones but sludge and severe inflammation.

I became more constipated after GB removal. It took me a while to be able to tolerate more fat in my diet. App 2-3 years. But now I can have a healthy dose of fat without feeling badly.

I had L/GB cleanses before RNY, and I knew what to expect. Yet - I did not feel like I could risk having it post op RNY. Even with no stones but just sludge.

If I had stones - I would not have attempted to try it. There is many things that can go wrong with that IMO.

There is a very strong debate even in natural healing community if the GB cleanse really works and how well. With normal digestive track - I did not mind being my own experiment. But post op RNY- I would not risk it. And I did not.

Thank you so much for addressing some of my husbands concerns. I'm glad to hear that you're doing well and are able to tolerate certain foods better now. Appreciate your input.