Question:
How do I know for sure its my gallbladder?

For all of you lucky ones out there, how did you know for sure it was your gallbladder. I am just under 1 year post-op and down 130 pounds. Over the last two weeks I have experienced intense pain, constipation, nausea and a lot of other pleasent symptons. These attacks are becoming more frequent and last up to 3 hours. I see my Dr. in the morning and would love any advice or suggestions for my visit. Once again as always thanks for your support.    — Barry R. (posted on March 27, 2002)

March 26, 2002
Barry, don't worry. As soon as you tell your doctor where the pain is and about the rapid weight loss, he/she should be able to figure it out right away. Although, my PCP at the time said it was a burst cyst on my ovaries! (The pain was a LITTLE high for that :) Anyway, your doctor will probably refer you for an ultrasound, and will know for sure from that. You can see all of the little stones sitting in there. Good luck.
   — KelBurt

March 26, 2002
Well I had my gallbladder out 10 years ago when I lost 100lbs. in a year. The pain for me was a VERY SHARP stabbing pain in my chest area. The only way I could get rid of the pain was to toss my cookies. I played around with this for almost a year, didnt have time to take off work. Until one nite I couldn't get rid of the pain and landed in the hospital. The surgery wasnt that bad at all and my incension is only about 2inch long and you can hardly even see it. GOOD LUCK!!!
   — paulsgirl

March 26, 2002
I just got my ultrasound results last night and yep, I have gallstones. The only problem I have is a stabbing pain on my right side under my ribs. But it is constant. I wasn't sure if it was my Gallbladder because I have heard many different symptoms which I don't have. But I knew something wasn't right and sure enough that is what it was. Good luck!
   — Dawn H.

March 26, 2002
When I had my gallbladder out it was because of an acute attack...I didnt have ongoing symptoms. I remember describing it as being squeezed by an iron band around my upper midsection. I vomited it to the point of bile and had a fever. It was horrible.
   — Donna L.

March 26, 2002
Hi Barry =) I had my gallbladder removed in the mid 90's, after losing the first 100 pounds of a 206 pound weight loss. I had multiple attacks for over a year, until we finally removed the gallbladder. I had intense pain just below my breastbone, at the very top of my stomach. The pain radiated through to my back. When I had had surgery, my surgeon found 5 to 6 stones stuck in my main bile duct. Sheesh, no wonder the pain! LOL I cannot tell you how much better I felt after the surgery. Even as sick as I was, it was a snap. I also had all of the symptoms you mention above. Good luck, and I wish you a speedy recovery! Please keep us posted.
   — ScatCat

March 27, 2002
I lost around 130 pounds in around 9 months and started getting pains where I believe the pouch is. I had an ultrasound and was full of tiny, soft gallstones. It's funny, as I still have some bad pains on occasion. Bad ones too! Sure don't know why, but I remember my surgeon saying I could have some pains as if it was still in. I guess it's like someone losing a limb... it may hurt as if you still have it. But the ultrasound will tell. Make sure you get one.
   — Danmark

March 27, 2002
Hi, I had my gallbladder out last year. Let me tell you, I never had any symptoms until I had an accute attack. It was the worst pain (I think even worse then my labor which was BAD) I had several stones and one about the size of a quarter stuck in the duct...Your doctor can tell, they will probaby do an ultrasound. Of course when I had my attack I was on vacation and had to wait until I got home to even be seen by a normal doctor...
   — Marcie B.

March 27, 2002
I'm in pain right now from a gallbladder "episode." I had a spicy dinner tonight and apparently my gallbladder didn't take it very well. The pain awoke me from sleep. For me, it's on my right side just below my rib cage. It's not a sharp pain... more like a really big "stitch" in my side, but a little more diffuse and burning than that. I've had a few episodes like this before (and had an ultrasound to diagnose -- one large calcified stone), but it's been two years since it was this bad. I hope I can hold out for a few more months -- I really would like to have the WLS and the cholecystectomy at the same time. I would hate to have to go through the anesthesia, hospitalization, and post-op recovery period twice.
   — Tally