Question:
At one year post-op, it is my belief I suffered a gallbladder attack.

Has anyone experienced this excruciating pain (lasted for about a half hour) and had to have their gallbladder removed?    — Linda G. (posted on November 2, 2000)

November 2, 2000
Linda--I have had several gallbladder attacks in the last 10 years, and still have my gallbladder. Docs can't agree on whether it is the actual gallbladder, or the opening to the gallbladder that is spasming. I take a muscle relaxant when it does that. I am waiting for my insurance approval for open RNY. Then my surgeon will do an ultrasound and some other test to see if he will take it out when I have WLS. Best thing is to see an internist. They usually take it out laproscopically now, and the recovery isn't bad. Good luck!
   — Susan S.

November 2, 2000
Linda, I lost my Gallbladder 1 year post op. The pain is very bad. I did notice about 1/2 after I ate the pain was so bad. The pain for me was like someone gave me a bear hug and would not let go! Or what some people call wrap around pain. I would call your doctor asap because this will not stop. Good luck to you! Kristin
   — Kristin H.

November 2, 2000
I had a attack one year after my surgery. It was one of the worse pains I have ever had. I wound up in the ER all night and they kept me for about half the next day. I had a ultrasound and x-ray and my gall bladder showed nothing. The thery is that when you lose a lot of weight in a short time the tube to the gallbladder sometimes gets twisted and pinches off all the fluid, thus you have the pain. (that is if all tests show nothing) The doc told me this may hapen again or may nexer happen again. They can repair it somehow. I hope it never happens again, has anyone else out there had this happen to them?
   — Darlene E.

July 6, 2002
I am one week away from my one year anniversary, I too experienced a gall bladder attack. The surgeon in ER told me he was sure it was "just pancreatitis and no gallstones would be found." However, I was the exception to the rule. I did have gallstones and inflammation to the gallbladder. I had a few attacks previously, thinking back. However, none as painful as this one. It was a severe pain in the middle of my breast area, radiating under both breasts. It would be severe and then let up a little (after about 30 min) and then get severe again. I was admitted for a ultrasound and had surgery on Wednesday afternoon already at 2:00 pm. I spent the 4th of July in the hospital because I had a fever and couldn't get the pain under control. My gallbladder was removed laproscopically, which was nice. I'm having some bloating and uncomfortableness throughtout my abdomen.
   — Kimberly W.

April 25, 2003
Wow! I also had a severe attack one year after my surgery. I ended up having it removed... I was so thankful because that pain was horrible! I noticed my attacks seemed to occur after eating fatty foods, and they lasted 30 min. I went to the ER and they told me I had GAS! They had me in the ER for 9 hours walking the hallway. I began to vomit, my surgeon was called, he transfered me to a new ER... 24 hours later... no more gallbladder. I am amazed at how many others are going through this. I understand it is normal for white women in their 40's... mine came on my 30th Bday.
   — Wendi E.

April 25, 2003
I actually had my gallbladder removed almost 2 years before my WLS. However, I just wanted to say that 'attack' describes it perfectly. I only had one. It started on a Monday afternoon and I had the surgery to remove it Friday evening. I was ready to take it out myself because I had been so incredibly miserable all week.
   — garw