Gallbladder Surgery

[Kay_n93]

Hi I'm 17 and i just recently had my gallbladder removed. Prior the surgery, I've been having on and off pain for over a year. I have been to multiple doctors with out any diagnosis. Prior to surgery I had a CT scan which came back normal, which i found strange. The doctor sent me home leaving me with out a clue. After a week i had another attack. I researched endlessly until i can across gallstones. When i returned to the doctor i mentioned an ultrasound to check for gallstones. The doctor was skeptical and reluctant, stating that if i had gallstones it would've come up on the CT scan. I ordered it anyways because it needed to know for sure. After the scan, my diagnosis was correct and gallstones were found. The doctor stated that i had gallstones, but my gallbladder was not inflamed nor infected. Surgery was then ordered, but i was informed that only the gallstones would be removed. A day before surgery i was told that they wanted to remove the gallbladder entirely. I found it strange to get it removed knowing that it was not inflamed nor infected, and on top of that they never told me how many i had nor of the size. So my question is, was it really necessary to remove a non infected nor inflamed gallbladder? Im only 17 and already have a screwed up digestive system.

[Banned1]

I'm so sorry you are suffering.  It must be so difficult to go through all of this, especially if you aren't being treated appropriately by your doctors.  If you're old enough to go through this, you're old enough to deserve an adult explanation for every test and procedure you endure.  I'm a bit surprised because, usually, the ultrasound is the first test they run after blood work.  With positive results, they often order a HIDA Scan (Hepatobiliary Imino-Diacetic Acid Scan) also known as an Cholescintigraphy.  

From what I've learned, your gallbladder can appear perfectly healthy, without infection or inflammation, and still not be working properly.  The HIDA Scan checks the ejection fraction rate of your gallbladder and that is the best way to figure out if your digestive system is working properly.  Other things that are normally done before surgical solutions are MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) and upper endoscopies.  The upper endoscopy is more invasive and requires sedation but they usually take a biopsy to find out whether you're having issues with h. Pylori infection.  Obviously they've tested you for h. Pylori, since your gallbladder wasn't infected.

Are you still having issues with digestion and/or pain?  Just a thought, it probably wouldn't hurt to request copies of the reports from your ultrasound, blood work and gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy).  That might help you understand better what they found out and why they acted as they did.  You can also get some great information from  the "First Principles of Gastroenterology":
http://gastroresource.com/GITextbook/en/Default.htm.

You've been through such a difficult time and I wish you and yours all the best.  Hopefully the removal of your gallbladder will solve ALL of your digestive issues.  

If you need any other information, don't hesitate to post or message me.  I've got tons of research links that I'm happy to share with anyone.  

All the best,

Sam

[Angelsongs]

Mine wasn't inflamed either, but the took mine out anyways, and Im glad they did.......no more pain, and I felt better then I had in years.