Gallbladder surgery or not?

I recently had a sonogram of my gallbladder and they found 2 polyps. The largest of the 2 is 10 mm. I have been in pain for several months: stomach, heartburn, pain under the rib cage, belching, especially when sitting and after eating. My gastroenterologist is downplaying the polyps, only suggesting we observe them to make sure they don't get too big. He also said polyps don't caused pain - that removing the gallbladder will probably not eliminate my pain.I do have IBS and Reflux, but this pain is different - more nonstop. What do you think?

[CalGal]

Heidigirl, the latest recommendation is that when any size of polyp is found, the gallbladder be removed. The old recommendation used to be to wait to see if there was growth - not any more. Polyps in the GB are being treated/looked at as any other polyp is - as possibly precancerous and they should be removed. Since the only way to get at a GB polyp is by removing the GB itself, surgery is recommended.

[sue3708]

I have the same thing....same answers.   I have talked to others that had their GB out and their symptoms persisted.   Have you had a HIDA scan?   Mine was normal and the pain I got during the scan was not the pain i feel on a day to day basis.

[CalGal]

Heidigirl, the latest recommendation is that when any size of polyp is found, the gallbladder be removed. The old recommendation used to be to wait to see if there was growth - not any more. Polyps in the GB are being treated/looked at as any other polyp is - as possibly precancerous and they should be removed. Since the only way to get at a GB polyp is by removing the GB itself, surgery is recommended.

[Heidigirl]

Thanks so much for responding! I am concerned that I might have my GB removed and continue to have pain. I wish I had known to ask the Gastro doc to order a HIDA scan; since my appt, several friends,including you, have recommended this test, to make sure the gallbladder is functioning correctly. If the surgeon I see this week for a consult, doesn't push for surgery, I will push for the HIDA scan. ...I sure hope you find answers too. What is your pain like on a daily basis?

[Heidigirl]

I appreciate your info! Maybe my doc is "old school" and hasn't caught up with the new recommendations?!? Why wouldn't he know this? I have also read that the size of the polyp is important, with 10 mm or 1 cm being the size that could indicate malignancy, and that removal is recommended. As a gastroenterologist, I would think  he would know all this and not want his patient to develop gallbladder cancer (even thought it is rare).

[Heidigirl]

I met with my surgeon this week and he confirmed that 10mm was too big for "observation" and he also confirmed that while my pain could be from something else, polyps can definitely cause pain. So, I am scheduled to have my gallbladder removed. Thanks for one of many recommendations that helped to confirm my decision.

[missfiveday]

I just had mine removed in January.  I had easy recovery from laprascopic cholecystectomy, I would think that the small month of discomfort from the surgery is a small price to pay for a surgery that may ease day to day discomfort!!