gallbladder issues-question??
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| Mon, 11-27-2006 - 6:13pm |
Hi all,
Well, I finally found out the cause of the RUQ pain-gallbladder.
Had a HIDA scan and the ejection % was 10,VERY low as per my GI.THere are no stones/infection etc...just a dysfunctional gallbladder...one with very slow motility.
I'm seeing a surgeon on 2 weeks, but I would love to hear some experience with this or gallbladder in general.
I only have slight nausea/bloating, and occasional RUQ pain. It's mostly a feeling like there is a band or weight in my upper stomach, rt below my rt rib.
One GI said it HAS to come out, one said maybe not, and that there are studies that show that removing it is onlky for the symptoms, and sometimes it doesn't get rid of the symptoms.
THe other issue is I'm petrified of all the horror stories that I hear about uncontrollable diarrhea once the gallbladder is removed...
I can't get past this...but I may not have a c hoice.
DOes anyone have any good gallbladder removal stories?
Doea anyone have any insight to any of this??
It's all so new and confusing, I would love to get some opinions...
Thanks in advance,
Jane

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Hi Jane - one thing to keep in mind as you search the web for post GB surgery stories - those people who jump right back in to a normal life free of side effects aren't posting on message boards, web sites or blogs. I can think of several people I know 'in person' who have had their GB out and have never had any problems or symptoms after the surgery. Most people do go on to live a normal life.
The feacal incontinance was my worst fear - but it likley is so very very rare that it isn't a concern. Having said that - if you need to vent about your pre-surgical fears and anxieties this is the place to do it!
If the GB isn't functioning there isn't anything that can be done to get it working again. They like to take them out before symptoms develop or before you end up with a major GB attack that requires an emergency surgery.
My GB was removed (stones, sludge and the GB itself had thick walls and was much larger than it should have been) in Feb 2004. For the first 2 yrs I couldn't eat foods that were high in fat or I"d end up with a lot of pain. I'm not talking an entire cake - just once slice would do it. It has gotten better - but the pain is more like an anoying discomfort. I'm awaiting results of an MRI as they think it may be spinkter of odi.
Jo
Jo,
Wow, what a good point...I guess those who have successful sugerises aren't popping on to declare it! Thanks for pointing that out!!
Did you have it done laproscopically or open abdominally?
I have a feeling they will opt to do it via lap??
Did you have a lot of pain?
I just have this annoying pulling/pressure...
WHat is Sphinter of Oddi? I keep reading about that?
So you;'re saying that you didn't have diarrhea, just couldn't eat high fat foods? But it's getting better right? Can you eat a slice of cake now : )
SOrry for all the questions, I have 2 weeks until I meet with the surgeon, and I want to have some knowledge, so I can ask the right questions and hopefully get some idea oas to what I want to do.
Thanks SOOO much for responding...
Jane
Laproscopically - but they do tell you that there is always a chance the surgery will be 'open'. Sometimes they have to change their plans once you are on the table & they get a really good look at what they are up against. You'd think that pre-op diagnostics (CT scan) would give them all the info they need - but aparently not.
For 2 days post-op I felt like I'd been hit by a gravel truck. I took T-3 and slept a lot. I had my surgery on a Thursday and was back at my desk job on Monday. I was bloated and had to wear eleastic pants for a week. It took at least 4 weeks till I could get back in to my 'skinny jeans'.
I don't have a quick answer - I'll update this post with the info.
I stuck to a fairly low fat diet just to avoid side effects
Hi Jane!
Jo had some good info for you, especially about the fact that most people with no ill after effects aren't posting about it!
You asked about sphincter of oddi, here are some links to good info...

<You are a wealth of information for me...sorry for all the questions, but as you can see, this is a big decision for me...
I am sure they will opt for laproscopically...I have 4 kids 6,7,9, and 11...I'm hoping if I have it done, I can get back to them as quickly as you got back to work.
So except for the bloating, you felt ok, right?
You could eat normally ( low fat)?
I don't eat a highfat diet anyway. My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer 3 months ago, so we're even MORE low, fat, high fiber than ever...WE do however like to splurge once in a while with some ice cream : ) I'm sure that won't be a problem though...
Skinny jeans??? Ha...4 kids later, and I'm still trying to get in to mine!!!
So bascially, you nevver had the diarrhea horror stories that i read about, and you would say that you're back to normal for the most part...that it hasn't altered your life dramatically ( which is excatly what one person said...) ??
Jane
Hi again Jane...you posed some questions to Jo and hope you don't mind if I add my 2 cents too.
I am sure they will opt for laproscopically...I have 4 kids 6,7,9, and 11...I'm hoping if I have it done, I can get back to them as quickly as you got back to work.
As was mentioned earlier, most surgeons opt for the lap surgery, BUT open surgery will be mentioned on the off chance that it becomes necessary. I wasn't blessed with kids (check my profile), but have had many abdominal surgeries and doubt this would be any worse.
So except for the bloating, you felt ok, right?
Bloating, gas from what is used to distend the belly during the procedure...which will dissipate. Moving around, walking helps a lot.
You could eat normally ( low fat)?
I do not recall being given any restrictions. My GB surgery was done in 1979 and I even 'lived' through an 8 hour drive to visit relatives for holidays. It was not a wise decision ( Dh was forgiven...lol) since I should have insisted on staying home and resting, but I wasn't in any horrible pain.
I don't eat a highfat diet anyway. My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer 3 months ago, so we're even MORE low, fat, high fiber than ever...WE do however like to splurge once in a while with some ice cream : ) I'm sure that won't be a problem though...
Moderation is my favorite mantra.
So bascially, you nevver had the diarrhea horror stories that i read about, and you would say that you're back to normal for the most part...that it hasn't altered your life dramatically ( which is excatly what one person said...) ??
I have IBS and some other tummy issues, but never had any major issues with this at all. We are all different and in time you will know which foods might cause problems, but that is true with or without a gallbladder, IMO!

<After the surgery I did get tired out easily - and if I had paid sick benefits I likely would have taken a week off just to rest - I think that the anesthetic (?Spelling) is hard on the system. I recall the bloating and feeling a bit sluggish / under the weather - but made it through the work day (office job).
For about the first 6 months after surgery if I had something high in fat - I'd have to use the washroom fairly soon - it wasn't dreadful diahrea - nor was it an urgent thing (as in needing to use the washroom immediately) - more inconvenient than anything. . . and definately no 'leaking poo' as I recall someone once mentioning at some web site.
Worst case scenario would be that there are medications to deal with all of the above should they become life altering.
Leading up to my surgery I changed my eating habits a great deal - got off junk food, white flour, reduced sugar and pretty much eliminated processed and pre-made food (ie. boxes, deli, heat & serve). When I reintroduce those things to my diet I found that my body did better without them. I think that would have happen regardless of the gallbladder situation.
Glad to be of any help that I can,
Jo
Hi Jane,
I had my Gall Bladder removed November 13th by Lapro. The surgery part went great, sound asleep. Went home that very day.I had problems with diahrea long before I had the surgery, which I was told that in itself could be from the gall bladder. I had lots of stones and pain ever so often. That day when I came home I started eating soft foods, then each day increased to hamburgers, piece of cake, etc... Haven't had any diahrea since before the surgery. I had some other complications which I'm being treated for but nothing serious.
Mindy
Thanks for sharing your recent experience. Hearing from others that really have been there, done that may help Jane come to terms with the upcoming surgery.
I think we all have a fear of the 'unknown', but there is a

<Just wanted to thank you for your input. I have an appointment with the surgeon next week to se if they should take it out.
THanks again...I hear so many horror stories about post-gallbladder removal diarrhea, that it's nice to finally hear some "positive" things!!!
Jane
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