Question:
Has anyone had their gall bladder removed because of pain, but without stones?

I am 19 months post-op, and have suspected a gall bladder problem. I was originally scheduled to have it removed during by bypass surgery, but it was too complex. Now, I have the classic symptoms of an attack includin pain and nausea. However, I just had a HIDA scan, and while it states I don't have stones, it did mention that my gallbladder was emptying at only 19% (average is about 50%). Has anyone experienced this?    — Kimberly D. (posted on July 10, 2003)

July 10, 2003
I didn't have any stones either, but my gallbladder was only functioning at 7%. It was a simple surgery. I was only in the hospital 2 hours after surgery and I was able to go home with no pain meds. You will feel sooo much better when it is gone!!
   — TESSY T.

July 10, 2003
Yes! I also did not have any stones but after many ultrasounds in the ER, my PCP finally ordered the HIDA scan to confirm that it was the gallbladder. I also had no stones but it was only functioning at about 15%. I had it out laproscopically and felt sooo much better afterwards. It was scheduled as a day surgery but my surgeon kept me overnight just to be on the safe side (I was only 2 months post op). Good luck!
   — jbekke

July 11, 2003
Hi Kimberly, I suffered for 5 yrs with my Gallbladder. All my tests kept showing no stones and I was fine(NOT). Thought related to the GERD until I had surgery for that. I had a surgeon who finally did the HIDA and discovered that my gallbladder wasn't emptying properly. Mine came out with my DS surgery. Iwas under for 7 1/2 hrs but was it soooo worth it. I was bedridden sometimes anywhere from 3-5 days per week and it was grueling. I'd have it out. Best wishes and continued success
   — Linda M.

July 11, 2003
Hi, My gall bladder didn't show any sign of stones either, so the doctors kept ignoring the pain I was having. Finally they did a hidascan and it showed my gall bladder had totally stopped functioning. By the time the rushed me in to emergency sugery, my gall bladder nearly ruptured. It was so large they had to do an open incision. Said in another hour I'd have been in the ICU and probably lucky to have survived. So it's not something to mess around with. Good luck! Leigh
   — Leigh P.

July 11, 2003
I had my gall bladder removed two years before my RNY. I didn't have stones but I had "sludge" that caused my problems. It absolutely was the gall bladder causing my pain, nausea, and almost constant vomiting because the symptoms all went away after I had it removed. I was pregnant at the time so they were proactive in removing it during my second trimester because surgery during the last trimester can cause preterm labor and if it ruptured it could have caused me to lose the baby. All is well and my son is now 2 1/2 and perfectly healthy. Good luck and be persistent with those doctors, it's your body.
   — cjabates

July 11, 2003
I also had the same problem. Before they would remove my gallbladder I had tons of other tests done. After having my heart checked, false reading on a stress test, an unnecessay angiogram, an endoscopy with the gastro dr telling me that it was all in my head, and having a HIDA scan that said my gallbladder was functioning at 15% I finally pleaded with my internist to send me to a surgeon. Once the surgeon took out the gallbladder all the problems that I had been having for the past 2 yrs went away. All the pain I went through just because I had no stones. Insist that they take out the gallbladder.
   — Dawn P.

July 11, 2003
I am at home recovering from gallbladder surgery.I had incredible pain and also food didn't seem to be digested properly.I didn't have any signs of stones.So I told the Doctor that I was still in incredible pain.He ran a bilapanri scan and I too had a nonfunctionary gallbladder.When they took it out lap he also found two internal hernias and repaired those a the same time.I am much better and the weight loss has really pick up also.Please feel free to email me at [email protected] with any additional questions.
   — Lisa B.