surgery for gallbladder and cysts at the same time

[gma718]

Well I went to see the surgeon on friday and here's the deal...they are going to take the gallbladder out laproscopically and the ovarian cysts will be taken out with vertical incision immediatley following. Has anyone every heard of anything like this? i am a wreck as it is and have now been hit with a double wammy...i can't understand this. I guess it is better to get it over with and done with already as most of you know that this has been going on since january. my anxiety is way up there!!!! I am so worked up..i guess you are all tired of hearing about it. Any advise will be greatly appreciated. I am just hoping for an easy surgery and quick recovery...

[rmarie]

it is better for you to have them both at the same time, one anesthesia, and thus one recovery.  You would not want to go back in a second time and do it again.  Your there, get it over with.  I am having abdominal surgery and may end up having chest surgery also.  I can't wait till they cut, so I know what I am dealing with, and I only want to do it once this year.  Good luck to you

[hatgal]

I agree - do it all at once.  Also, you keep asking for advice and I know you've thanked me for my support as I have anxiety issues as well.  But have you taken any action to get your anxiety under control?  I don't know how you can live like this - in a state of constant panic and anxiety.  I hope you see to your mental health as well as your physical health b/c both are equally important.  Best............

[Stretch63]

It's better to just have one surgery...pretty soon it will all be over, and you will feel so relieved. Prayers and hugs to you!

[gma718]

i have been going for therapy...had 3 sessions already and i have another this week...also for the first time today i took a xanax ...only 1/2 but i still took it! I am so anti medicine but am learning to let it go and let the medicine help me that is what it is there for. I am trying one day at a time.

[gma718]

i have been going for therapy...had 3 sessions already and i have another this week...also for the first time today i took a xanax ...only 1/2 but i still took it! I am so anti medicine but am learning to let it go and let the medicine help me that is what it is there for. I am trying one day at a time.

[Mary 53]

Hi, good for you to be taking care of the mental health aspect of all of this. Getting your body to remain calm is going to be an important part of your recovery. We all have enough stress in our lives ...if there is a way you can get help with the anxiety...I'd take it. In fact, I have been in your shoes in that I suffered from anxiety when I hit age 40 and that was 13 years ago. It took time to ask for help, but I finally did, and when I did, I saw that I had the support of my husband and family. Once fearful of medication, I saw this as an opportunity to repair some imbalances in the chemical make-up of my brain. My fondness for research got even stronger during this time.

I started taking Xanax after developing a fear of flying. My family of origin is 1800 miles from where I live. I decided I could not let the fear of flying hold me back from seeing my family and taking our only child out to the East Coast to see her cousins, etc. I recall taking my first 1/2 tab of Xanax and the anxiety I had just taking it was palpable. But, I actually found I was able to enjoy the trip. On another occasion driving through Yellowstone I felt my anxiety rise as we climbed the mountains and noted the steep cliffs (they were steep to me) not too far from the road. I decided I would drive my family crazy with my anxiety, took a tablet, and was able to calm down and enjoy the scenery. And, if gave me an excuse not to drive...husband was fine with that since he hated to see me beat myself up over this anxiety.

In retrospect, some of my anxiety was caused by a hormonal imbalance that I was going through in my 40's, I am convinced. And, since cysts can produce amounts of hormones that can cause a huge imbalance, well, that can just make the problem worse. So, if I may say so, don't feel badly that you need to take something for this now...it will get better.

I am now in the Mental Health field and see the value of talk therapy as well as medication when warranted. I was on Zoloft when I got my Ovarian cancer dx back in 2000 and I am sure that saved me from serious mental trauma and just allowed me to think and to make plans.

Currently I am not on any anti-dpressants and have not been on any for almost two years. One thing to be aware of in the future; thyroid problems can mimic depressive symptoms and since I have been able to treat my thyroid, I have been anti-depressant free. Now, the anxiety piece is a bit different, but there are ties that the two diagnosis share. Just keep being proactive and it sounds as if you are. And, remember, too, that it is helpful for your body and the immune system to reduce stress, so if that helps to know that while you are seeking help, well...great!

Best of luck to you!
Mary

[hatgal]

I totally agree with Mary; please take her advice and experiences to heart.  I think of you often and hope that you are on the right road to mental recovery b/c it's very debilitating as you know.  I also truly believe, as Mary says, that it is caused by chemical/hormonal imbalances in our brains and with your gyno issues, the hormones are all over the place and only medication, at this time, will help balance those hormones.  My very best to you; you are in my prayers........

[Ms_Makita]

Hi! I really feel for ya as I'm going through similar thing but surgeon dont want to seem to do much about it still.Still having gallbladder issue/and pain,recent transvaginal ultrasound have 5cm complex cysts in both ovaries this time with free pelvic fluid..which I have no idea what that means! I cant eat because of pain and anxiety (lost 100lbs less than a year) I dont know how much longer dr is going to make me continue like this..this is a new dr and I cant change dr because of my insurance company.If I was to change insurance I have 90 day waiting period so that thought scares me! I dont think it is my dr,it is the surgeons refusing..my pcp is all for having both procedures.

       It is best to get both procedures done at once..I was hoping they would do same for me,hopefully they will soon,I want these cyst and gallbladder out asap!!! for my anxiety my dr gave me xanax and buspar..really does help,at least I can get some sleep at night.You will recover,after you heal you will feel good again! dont seem like it now,but it will happen.Anyone in your shoes would feel the same way,hang in there,your in  my prayers,keep me posted,
                                     Stephanie