Question:
Gallstones - Have gallbladder removed???
Hi There...Here is my question, I am 10.5 months post op and have had 4 or 5 what I am now sure were gallbladder attacks. The last one being pretty severe. I had a sonogram this am and of course the tech wouldn't give me specifics but had the radiologist look at my results and told me 'yes we see some stones'. Now mind you that could be two or two hundred. In anycase, regardless of the amount of stones should I have it out? I certainly do not want to go thru that pain again, but does the number of stones matter? If there are fewer does it lessen the chances of having another attack? Any info you can give would be great. Thanks everyone :) — Shanchel (posted on August 11, 2003)
August 11, 2003
— Jazzy
August 11, 2003
I had only one large stone the size of a marble and my gallbladder was
removed laprascopically. It was a very easy procedure and I was out
shopping the next day. I don't know if there is any way to disolve the
stones or not - I was never given that option.
— Carolyn M.
August 11, 2003
Get that gallbladder out of there! Whether you have one giant stone or 100
tiny ones, it will not improve without surgical removal. I had a greedy
HMO PCP at the time my gallbladder acted up and wound up not getting to see
a surgeon for several months - finally I ended up in the ER with
pancreatitis, in shock, bottoming out blood pressure - it was like a scene
from "E.R." there were nurses and doctors all around me doing
stuff and it was more painful then anything in my life. They admitted me
and I finally got my surgery and have been thankful ever since!
— bethybb
August 11, 2003
I can relate to what you're going through. I'm 1 year post-op and have
begun to have gallbladder attacks as well. What I was told was it was
best to have it out because you do not want to risk one of the stones
getting stuck in the duct to the liver (?) as that will make you very,
very, very sick. I'm scheduled to have mine out on Thursday of this week
via a LAP procedure. Should be in the hospital overnight and home to
recover for a few days. Doesn't sound like a big deal for the gain of not
having to undergo one of those horrible attacks again.
— Cathy S.
August 11, 2003
Hi there, I am 6 months post op as of yesterday. At about 3 months out, I
developed gallstones. I had my gallbladder out 5 weeks ago and it was a
great decision. The pain from the attacks were so severe and I was
constantly in pain and nauseous. The gallstones were definitely affecting
my life. They were able to do the gallbladder surgery lap, and the pain
was very minimal. I was very tired following the surgery, but there really
wasn't much pain. I would definitely recommend that you have the
gallbladder out, the pain from the attacks is one of the worst pains I have
ever experienced, and the way it would come on suddenly, it was really
interfering with my life. Now I don't have to worry about it. I wasn't
anxious to have two surgeries so close together, but it really was a good
decision. Go for it.
— Janet S.
August 11, 2003
Hello. I am still pre-op but I have three very small stones. I am having my
gall bladder removed when I have my surgery. I was told it had to be
removed if there are any stones because it will just continue to get worse.
It doesn't matter how many stones once the attacks start you will continue
to have them. You just have to try to avoid the foods that cause the
attacks. Good Luck! :)
— AmyWollet
August 11, 2003
I was diagnosed with gallbladder polyps and because the surgeon also
suspects gallstones, he will remove the gallbladder during the open RNY
procedure. I was told that many post-surgery patients will develop
gallstones because of the fast weight loss - notice how we all have to have
ultrasounds of the gallbladder in prep for the surgery. So, I think it's
best to do it during the RNY, if possible - save yourself some more pain
afterwards.
— Dimple Donna
August 11, 2003
Hi, I am 8 months out and have 3 gallbladder attacks. the first one I
thought I was having a heart attack and went to the ER and they did not
find anything wrong. I went to my PCP and he gave me prevacid. The second
and third times it happened all I could do was curl up in a ball because I
thought I was going to die. I went to my WLS surgeon for a check up last
week and told him about the symptons. He did an u/s and sure enough I have
gallstones. The only good thing about my visit was that he said I could
probably get a tummy tuck at the same time he removes it !!!!
— Angela C.
August 11, 2003
I'm almost 2 years post-op and found out I have gallstones. My surgeon
wanted to schedule me for surgery but I've decided to wait. I've had 5
surgeries since 11/01 and I have to admit, I'm tired of being cut open!! I
haven't had any attacks and I've only had some pain once in a while. My
surgeon said that if I have an attack that gets me to the ER, then he would
operate once I got there.
— Patty H.
August 12, 2003
Hi, As an xray and ultrasound tech it doesn't matter if you have one or
hundreds, what matters is the size of the stones. the smaller ones have a
chance of going into the bile duct and causing severe pain and jaundice.
You should propably get it out soon. I had mine out lap. and was back to
work in one week. I can't say if it is as bad as a lap bypass I'm still
waiting for my wls.
— maureen P.
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