Gall Bladder Concerns

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2004
Gall Bladder Concerns
4
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 12:50am
HELLO ALL.........

Two nights ago I was rushed to the Hospital with a gall bladder attack... AGAIN.

This time my liver enzymes were elevated.... any idea what that means??? Right now you are asking me.... why did you not ask the doctor?? well... where do i start... scared of hospitals, no insurance, dragging two kids out in the middle of the night.... you could say i was feeling overwhelmed stress. So anyhow.... this time they want me to get it (gall bladder) taken out...... whattttttttt???? let me tell you.. I am scared to death!

I know a little about the procedure... my sister and best pal have had it done... so why am i still so scared? I have NO insurance...... so am trying to put it off as long as I can..... which brings me to a couple questions...

1..... Can this damage my liver????

2..... Other than greasy foods, is there anything else I should stay away from?

3..... Can putting the surgery off 'hurt' me in any other ways?

Thanks so much to all whom may reply... I feel like such a basket case!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 2:49pm

Hi Cuddleluv!


Welcome to the board!

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 6:03pm

Hi - I'm sorry to hear that your GB is giving you problems. I had mine removed Feb/04.


Having the GB removed shouldn't cause any liver problems - but that is certainly a question you should write down to ask your surgeon.


Aside from greasy foods the others to avoid are those high in fat - ie. ice cream, rich deserts or sauces, nuts, cheese, deli meats (the low fat kinds are likely okay). Fortunately food labels are helpful in determining which foods are high in fat. But you do have to read the label carefully.


An elective surgery is always better than having to do an emergency surgery. Most elective surgeries are done laproscopically - and that is much easier on the body & the recovery is quicker. Even with an elective surgery, there is always a chance they will have to do an 'open' surgery - but that's more the exception than the rule.


Sorry - but I have no advice about the insurance - maybe someone else will be able to address that issue. We don't pay for surgery or doctor visits in Canada.


It's a lot of information to deal with and I would suggest writing a list of questions to take with you to your next doctors apt & write down the answers. If I don't do that I end up forgetting the answers as soon as I leave.


Wishing you all the best and please let us know how things are going,


Jo


p.s.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 7:41pm

Hi and Welcome cuddleluv,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2004
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 6:22am
As stated in other replies putting it off can hurt. Especially if you have an infection.

I had mine out in Jun04 and was in the hospital a week with an infected gallbladder and a high white blood cell count before I had surgery. Your liver enzymes are elevated because you have gallstones. When I had mine done my liver enzymes were never elevated so it just depends on what is going on with your gall bladder.

To reduce the incidents of attacks cut out all fatty foods, milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. The greasy foods don't make that big an impression but it will help to reduce those. Keep in mind when I had my attacks my basic diet was grilled chicken, lots of veggies and pasta. Sometimes pork or pork sausage. No red meat. Main;y cause I don't eat it, not because it was a restriction.Try to eat smaller meals during the day and no big meals as they overwork youur system.

Now to the insurance. Contact the hospital where it is going to be done at and ask them if the have a way to help you pay for it. If you are in a low enough income you can qualify for medicare and they will help you get that. Just remember the claims have to be filed in 60-90 days after the date of service to even be looked at YOu contact their business office for this.

Also try contacting your local health department and see if they can help you find a way to pay the bills.

As far as being a basket case...that is understandable...but relax it is a relatively simple procedure done in day surgery if done laproscopically. In in the morning out in the afteernoon. Just don't put it off and end up a week in the hospital like me. makes the bill that much higher and you are trying to avoid that.

Things will work out, just take a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other.