Hi-
I'm a pretty healthy 25 year old with a history of endometriosis and uterine cysts, but otherwise no serious problems. For the past couple of years I've had this aching, almost menstrual-cramp like pain on my left side, radiating from my leg/hip to below my rib cage and to my whole back (especially behind my shoulder blades). Recently this pain got a whole lot more localized (under my rib cage) and was accompanied by changes in stool as well as hard, sharp attacks of pain/nausea. It gets a whole lot worse with alcohol consumption or fatty foods, but is inconsistent. After an ultrasound, I was told I do not have any visible blockage in my gallbladder or bile duct. But a HIRD test with CCK showed 17% functioning and the CCK replicated my symptoms of tenderness, bloating, and severe nausea. Today the gastroenternologist I was referred to seemed to be a giant hurry to remove my gallbladder. She handed me a picture book brochure and booked me for the laproscopic surgery in two weeks. I guess I was a little caught off guard, so I didn't take the time to ask a lot of questions. So I guess my issues are:
1. Is removal necessary? If there are no stones and complications/remaining pain can occur, is this really something I need to go through?
2. If it is necessary, can I postpone it for another month? I'm taking graduate comps and really don't need this on my plate.
3. Does it make sense for this to be a gallbladder-related issue when it is localized on the left side only?
4. What can I look forward to post-surgery? Can I drink socially? What diet changes do I need to make? I'm a vegetarian who barely consumes any fat - I can't imagine cutting back even more.
Basically I am already looking to get a second opinion from another gastroenterologist, but I'd really like to know what it is I need to ask. There is a lot of information about there, but sorting the wheat from the chaff is challenging.