I have Gall Stones!

Posted By  HFHSM.D.-rf on March 09, 1998 at 23:06:14:

In Reply to: I have Gall Stones! posted by Dawne on February 25, 1998 at 16:46:40:

: Hello and thank you for answering my query.
  Recently, I ended up in the ER with the most debilitating pain I have ever
  felt in my life accompanied by excessive vomiting.  I had an ultra sound
  and it revealed I have gall stones.  
  I've been doing some reading and I understand that when you have the surgery
  (GALLSTONES AND LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY) that they remove your gall
  bladder completely.  
  My question is how does your body digest fat when it's gone?  And, how do
  they get something the size of a pear out of a 1 cm incision?  What
  happens when you eat fat after the surgery?  how does it get digested?  
  What kind of questions should I ask to make sure my surgeon is experienced
  and well trained?
  Sorry, I know that's more like 5 questions, but if you could answer
  these questions I would really appreciate it.  Thank
  you for your time.
  DAwne

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

Dear Dawne,
The gallbladder is the site at which bile is stored between meals.  When you eat, the gallbladder contracts forcing bile into the small intestine for fat solubilzation and subsequent digestion.  People who have had the gallbladder removed, lose the storage site and have bile continuously circulating in what s called the enterohepatic cycle.  Bile passes from the liver into the small intestine, is reabsorbed in the ileum (a portion of the small intestine) and is returned to the liver. THERE ARE NO ADVERSE EFFECTS ON FAT ABSORPTION AFTER THE GALL BLADDER IS REMOVED.  You should be able to tlerate your regular diet without any problem.
During laparoscopic surgery the gallbladder is compressed and removed via the incision.
Finally, the only way to assess the experience of your surgeon is to ask him directly how many laparosocpic cholecystectomies he has performed.  The procedure is no longer new and many surgeons have done a large number of cases.
Good luck.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.

HFHSM.D.-rf
keywords: laparoscpic cholecystectomy, gallstones
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