What questions should I be asking?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
What questions should I be asking?
4
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 8:02pm

OK - it's been a while since I have posted. The last thing I had done was a HIDA scan which came back after the ejection-fraction test at 28%. The GI specialist wanted to see me (I think just to make some more $$ off me - but that is neither here nor there). I saw him today and he is sending me to a surgeon. I see him on Thursday. He basically has said that the decision on whether or not I should have my gallbladder out is mine.

Just as a review - I had an endoscopy (with biopsies and bloodwork, etc...) - nothing found. Had ultrasound done - no stones. Had HIDA Scan - the only thing that raised a red flag and could possibly explain the attacks I have been having (getting more frequent, etc...). During the HIDA scan when they injected the CCK - I IMMEDIATELY got sick - bad. I was in bed for the next two days. When they injected the CCK - the pain was exactly the same as when I have my attacks.

My GI's concern is that because there are no stones - it could be that it's not actually my gallbladder causing these problems and I could have it out and still have pain. UGH! He just was so non-commital and it's driving me nuts. He said I should go to my appointment with the surgeon prepared to ask lots of questions. Lots of questions? What kinds of questions???? Laparoscopy vs. open? what other questions should I be asking the surgeon? Is it just me or shouldn't the GI be answering my questions? I'm just confused - and tired.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Pam

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2004
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 9:06am

Hi, I know your frustration. I had my gallbladder out lapriscopically last Monday. I had countless tests done, and the only one that showed anything wrong was the hida scan at 35%. The pain started in December and consistently got worse so I had the surgery. They took pics, and my gb was white, which is not a good thing so I am glad I had it done. I go back to the surgeon for a follow-up today but am feeling pretty good. The hardest was the first day and my reaction to the anesthesia (nausea and headache). My only problem is I also had pain on the left also and they could not find what was causing it, so they contributed it to my gb but that has not gone away. I am not able to eat normal yet, but it has only been a week so hoping that changes over time. When I met with my surgeon initially, I asked about the surgery and recovery (lapriscopically and open), what my chances for full pain relief was, and other specific things that related to all my different test results. Dont be shy, good luck.

VAN

2009 siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 3:18pm

VAN

Thanks for your response. I really do appreciate it.

I met with the surgeon today. He was wonderful - spent a whole 30 minutes with me - talking to me and explaining everything. Great bedside manner - and it doesn't hurt that he is the chief of surgery at the hospital that I will be having surgery at! :-)

So my surgery is scheduled for Monday, April 17. An added stress to this whole situation is that my husband is having back surgery this coming Monday, April 3. April is just a busy month for us. All 3 of my kids have birthdays in April, Easter, in-laws visiting, friends visiting - and both of us having surgery.

I was wondering if you would be willing to share some details about your recovery form the surgery - when were you feeling up to being up and around - how was the soreness from the surgery - how long has it taken to feel back to normal? Any other things tha tyou think might be helpful? I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Pam

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 10:11am

Hi Pam,


Here are a few questions you can ask your doctor:

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2004
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 8:02pm

Hi, it is almost two weeks since surgery. The first week was the hardest because the pain pills had me pretty out of it. Last week I felt much better and feel now I have alot of my strength back, but still get tired a little easier. The insicions are healing great (there are two keyhole ones and two small cuts) and are not painful anymore. I am not 100% as far as pain after eating, some days are better than others and am still on my bland, low fat diet (I tried cheating a few times but paid for it). Otherwise, I do have bouts with (tmi) diarreha...but dr said it could take 4-6 weeks for bowels to get back to normal after surgery because of the anesthesia.

Hope your husbands surgery goes smoothly tomorrow. Let me know how you are doing, good luck!

VAN

2009 siggy