Debating having Surgury

I went into the ER about two months ago with alot of pain in chest area.  4 days later the verdict was I had Gallstones.
The pain lasted about an hour and a half and went away while I was waiting to get into ER.  About a month later I had a very mild version of same pain and it lasted about 15 minutes.
I have had no other attacks or any other kind of problems.  I feel ok and dont get sick or have any other prolblems because of the stones.  I was schedule for Surgury the 18 of Dec with a scope of the common bile duct to be done on the 17th.  The scope was not succussful as the Doc. couldnt get into the duct.  He called the Surgeon and the Surgury was called off.  I go in tomorrow for a talk with the Surgeon.

I have been having second thoughts about getting the operation done since my pain has not returned.  I can say I don't want it too either and if I was having it more oftin I wouldn't be thinking about getting something done.  I have read in here of some bad side effects after such an operation.  I know that there is some type of medicane that can be given instead of surgury but I don't know much about it only what I read in the paper by a Doctor.  Most that I have read in here had a lot more pain and problems than I am having so I guess I am wondering if anyone has tried the medical treatment instead of surgury or anything else.

Thanks,  Rogere

[ELC]

HI, I WOULD REALLY CONSIDER SURGERY, MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO A CHOLECYSTOGRAM, THIS IS A DYE TEST TO CHECK FOR STONES IN YOUR DUCTS AFTER THEY REMOVE YOUR GALLBLADDER.
IT YOU HAVE BLOCKAGES AND DON'T HAVE YOUR GALLBLADDER REMOVED YOU RISK HAVING A BIG ATTACK WHICH IS REALLY PAINFUL AND CAN BE DANGEROUS.
I WISH YOU LUCK

[pooky]

I had a major gallstone attack 3 months ago, with minor ones leading up to it.  I was sent to ER and of course the pain disappeared and it was no longer considered an emerg case.  While your pain may go away temporarily, you WILL have another attack in the future.  In my opinion the best treatment is to have surgery to be rid of the problem once and for all.  If left untreated, you could run the risk of developing more serious and dangerous problems.  I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy one week ago and I'm feeling really good.  You'll feel off the first few days while you're on pain meds and your body adjusts itself.  I am back on a normal diet and have not noticed any digestive problems.  The docs may also do a cholangiogram at the same time as the lap choly; this is an x-ray of your bile duct and residual stones in your duct can be removed.  The surgery lasts about an hour and you are home the same day.  Best of luck to you.

[Rogere7]

Thanks for the replies and advice.  I go in to doc in about an hour and I will ask him about a cholecystectomy test.  I had an ERCP test done last Monday but the Doc that did it was unable to access the bile duct with a scope.  They did however put dye in me and I was under some type of XRay machine for the test.  It would seem that maybe they could see inside the bile duct even if they could not enter it.  I will find out more today I hope.

Thanks again for the help.  Those that have been through something can shed light on the thing and speak from a firm footing.

Roger