Freaking out over GB surgery

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2005
Freaking out over GB surgery
8
Fri, 09-16-2005 - 11:38am

My GI dr. said yesterday he recommends the GB come out. I had suspected (in the words of one nurse I don't have gallstones, I have rocks) but now I'm SO nervous.

People on the board seem to have had a LOT of problems with cramping, bloating, not being able to eat pizza, etc for a year after surgery. Is this normal?? I can't imagine my life disrupted for a year! It's making me rethink the surgery decision.... not to mention that my insurance is crappy and I can't find a surgeon that people have ever heard of.

Ack! This is causing so much stress I can feel another GB attack coming on. Can some people share their experiences - good and bad - and whether the surgery is ultimately worth it?

Avatar for diamond_0
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2004
Fri, 09-16-2005 - 1:30pm

Everyone is different in how their body will react to not having a GB. You can't go by what people on the boards say because most people who post on here are looking for help because of their problems. The ones that have had success with GB removal are not going to be posting because they are too busy enjoying life---pain free! Take my case for example--I can't eat very much fatty, spicy foods in one day or I pay with nausea, cramps, diahrrea. My mom on the other hand can eat anything she wants--pizza, chicken, hamburgers, tacos with no problems at all! I couldn't touch any of those things with a ten foot pole LOL!
Just don't stress over it because that will only make things worse. The surgery is simple and recovery is quick--if you have it done laparoscopically(sp?).
I had mine out in March and I was able to walk around comfortably about a week after surgery. And the good part is no more horrible "attacks"!!!
There are others with more experience than I (since it has only been 5 1/2 months) that will post some good advice!

Good Luck!
Donna M

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 09-16-2005 - 3:16pm

Hi and Welcome

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 09-17-2005 - 12:31am

yebo wrote: People on the board seem to have had a LOT of problems with cramping, bloating, not being able to eat pizza, etc for a year after surgery. Is this normal??

As Donna mentioned - keep in mind that the people who go on to eat what ever they please aren't the ones on this (or any other) message board. I think that the majority of people eat what they want after gb surgery without any problems. (just basing that on those I know in person)

yebo wrote: I can't imagine my life disrupted for a year!

I don't know that your life would be 'disrupted' - maybe inconvenienced would be a better word. I have pain if I don't eat a healthy low fat diet. I guess the bottom line is my body is telling me not to eat certain foods (meat, eggs, high fat or processed foods). Considering those are primarily foods that we all know deep down are not the basis for a healthy diet this is maybe not the worst thing in the world. Definately more inconvenient than anything.

yebo wrote: It's making me rethink the surgery decision....

Once you have stones they won't go away - please don't read those web sites that talk about a lemon & olive oil drink that purge the stones -that combo actually can do more harm than good. The stones will stay till they are surgically removed. The gb itself is likely damaged due to the presence of stones. The chronic inflamation is something that can cause problems down the line if left. Any site that has experienced chronic inflamation is at a greater risk for developing cancer.

If the gb & stones are left as is eventually you will have a severe attack that may require emergency surgery. Gb surgery is always better when done as an elective than as an emergency.

Yebo wrpte: Can some people share their experiences - good and bad - and whether the surgery is ultimately worth it?

Yes it's worth it.
I had mine out in Feb/04. since then I've found that a number of foods cause either pain, discomfort, bloating or diahrea:
eggs, meat (bloating, gas)
high fat foods - ie. cheese cake (diahrea within hours)
excess sugar (ie. a couple of chocolate bars washed down with coke - my PMS special)
most processed foods (cereals, frozen pizza) - bloating

I was nauseated for nearly a year after surgery - but not to the point where I vomited or could not eat. I learned to make healthier food choices to keep the nausea to a minimum.

The way I look at it is that I'm choosing healthier foods not thinking I "can't" have this or that - that at least makes me feel a bit more in control.

Keep in mind that you can develop stones even with the GB removed. I figure that since I had gb problems to begin with that maybe my digestive system isn't the best to begin with so I don't want to risk problems again.

Hope this makes sense - if not - please ask. Typing after a long day & not proof reading.

Please let us know how things are going,
Jo

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2004
Sat, 09-17-2005 - 5:12pm
Yebo, the girls are right, everyone is different, i had mine out in March also just before Donna M did. im just now starting to feel better , but i have reflux, hiatial hernia and gastritis, so i have more trouble than just the galbladder.i can eat pizza now just not too much. you will feel better after you have the surgery when u have no more attacts. it does get better with time and you may be one of the lucky ones that bounces back to normal right away and can eat anyting you want. and yes it is only the ones having problems that come to the msg boards, 2 of my daughter in laws have had theirs out and have no problems my mom had her outs yrs ago and she can eat anything she wants also.so dont be afraid to have it done,
take care
Donna K
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2005
Mon, 09-19-2005 - 11:13pm

Thanks everyone. I had a momentary lapse, but I do realize things will likely be better with the g-b out and it's time for the surgery. I found a surgeon and have a consultation scheduled for next month. Hopefully things will move ahead quickly.

Thanks again.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 09-20-2005 - 7:30am

Hi and welcome


Take one day at a time and think positive

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Tue, 09-20-2005 - 2:07pm

Hi there,

I just had my gb out in July. I was so scared too, petrified really. I have two small children at home and was really worried about my recovery. It turns out that the recovery was a piece of cake. I was walking around the neighborhood two days after surgery and everything healed very quickly. I also can eat whatever I want now without any pain or other side effects. My life is totally normal now and pain free. I wish you luck with your surgery. I know saying don't worry won't help much, but it really is alot easier than I ever could of imagined.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 09-20-2005 - 3:08pm
Thanks

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B