Gallbladder.....

[constatlyinpain]

My gallbladder hidascan percentile was one stinking point higher than what would be considered normal (I think they said 35% is normal ejection rate and mine was 36%?).  So, they said it's borderline and are ordering an ultrasound and I have surgery scheduled for November 14 to remove my gallbladder.  What can I expect after the surgery?  I only ask because I want real life feedback from those who have had their gbs removed.  Did you need to make any dietary changes?  Were there any noticeable bowel changes?  Thanks in advance for any replies.

[constatlyinpain]

Wow.  I'm still waiting to hear if they saw anything on my CTw/contrast I had about a month ago.  Had one done when I went to the ER for abdominal pain and they said they didn't find anything, but you know how ER visits are!  Still may need an u/s, supposed to find out today.  Did the Qestran control the loose bowels?

Fellow classmate (I go to cosmetology school) had his gb removed years ago, said he didn't change his diet at all and had loose bowels for only the first six months or so.  I'm getting kinda scared now, I don't want to have to run to the bathroom every day.  :(

[cat33]

I had my gallbladder removed in 1979 back when they did the six inch slice down your abdoman not a fun thing but I was really in pain, with a temperature of 104 for two weeks . And a very new Dr. who kept telling me I had maleria. Well as it turned out I had the surgery all went well and I'm still here. By the way I did have some very large stones even though the _new_Dr. said she didnt see anything in my X-rays. Could eat anything I wanted even the day after the surgery and the surgery healed within two weeks which I think is really good considerin the size of the incision. But there was a slight downfall. I had the runs whether I ate or not from the time I got up till noon . Before I went anywhere I had to find out where the nearest bathroomwas. That was really a pain.  Mean while my younger brother and one of my nephews had the same surgery and they told me their Dr. had prescribed Questran which is a cholesterol lowering drug no side effects , and it works so keep that in mind if you have that problem.GOOD LUCK cat33

[Avas Mom]

You dont have to be constipated to have GB probs...or you dont have to have the opposite of that either...and to not have a BM in 13 days is not good...you really need to see your dr.

[kathryn lee]

I have severe right upper quadrant pain. Its been going on sporadically since 2005, and going on constantly since July 2007. Im not constipated or anything. Ive had every test imaginable, including an upper endoscopy. They all came back normal, except the upper GI revealed gastritis. The gastro put me on prilosec and librax, which doesnt make any sense at all, since i dont have any heartburn. Im not sure what the ejection rate on my HIDA scan was. My IM told me it was normal. But lately I cant seem to defecate. I havent had a BM in 13 days. Could that mean my gallbladder is not functioning. This is embarrassing. Im not sure how Im going to tell this to my IM guy on Friday. Maybe he'll wise up and send me to a surgeon. Need some help!!!!!!

[constatlyinpain]

You're absolutely right.  I can't wait to see what the u/s shows.  I also asked that my pancreas be tested before we do the surgery.  I have read in several places online that a symptom of pancreatitis is severe/stabbing/sharp pain between the shoulders a period of time after a drinking binge.  I told my doc a year and a half ago that I had that kind of pain and he didn't test me for anything and said it was something I'd just have to live with.  Should have gone for a second opinion then instead of just waiting for other pains to show up.  Surgeon said gallstones can cause pancreatitis and he's convinced that there's atleast one stone in there mucking things up.  He said that with the pain I have (actually hunched over to the right at the moment...just HAD to have my morning coffee) he would be surprised if there WEREN'T any stones.  That's why he went ahead and scheduled surgery.  

I really appreciate the reminder to not just blindly trust the surgeon.  With the Lyrica I'm just kinda out of it.  I'm me, but not.  Know what I mean?  

[CalGal]

If the ultrasound shows no stones or sludge please talk long and hard with the surgeon before you decide to have your GB removed, especially since your HIDA scan is in the 'normal' range. There are many who have no stones/sludge/inflammation etc., and have only a slightly lowered ejection fraction who have their GBs removed only to find out later that it wasn't the GB that may have been causing the pain in the first place. It may, instead, have been due to spasms of the common bile duct or the sphincter of Oddi (the outlet from the end of the common bile duct into the duodenum).

I know you want to be out of pain, but the statistics are not great for those who have no stones/sludge and only the presence of a slightly lower ejection fraction. Many medical boards are 'loaded' with people having worse problems than they had when they had their GBs.

So please take the time to fully talk about this with your docs - if your ultrasound doesn't show stones, etc.

There are a percentage of people who do have to maintain a low-fat diet after having GB surgery. Due to the lack of a GB, you're not going to process fats the way you did beforehand. If you start experiencing any problems (upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea) after surgery, it might be a good idea to try a low-fat diet for several months to allow your system to adjust to the new 'status quo.'

[Avas Mom]

haha. i guess you could try and change your diet. Its not neccessary. Well my dr. told me that anyway. And if he did tell me to change my diet i doubt i could of. Im too picky of an eater.

[brickgirl22]

My boyfriend had his gb out a year ago and really has to watch eating the fired foods - doesn't matter what it is - his tummy starts gurgling and off to the bathroom he goes.  I hope you have the same experience as Avas Mom, but be careful the first few days/weeks.  Good Luck!

[constatlyinpain]

Thank you.  I'm actually looking forward to the more frequent bm's.  Sounds kinda gross and all but I am usually constipated no matter what I eat/drink.  I too am a junk food junkie, and perhaps that is part of my problem but up until surgery I won't be changing a thing.  My 5 year old son said that when I get home from "surgeries" that we all need to eat more "healfy".  lol

[Avas Mom]

I HAD my gallbladder removed in Jan 07. After the surgery i was up walking fine that day. The next couple of days were a bit more sore. I didnt change my diet at all. (I have no will power and am a junk food junkie) and im doing fine on it. I didnt have any probs with my bowels until a few months ago. I go twice a day before midday and i never went more than once a day ever. But its not a big deal and its not like constant diarreha or anything. But it all depends on the person. Ive heard horror stories from other ppl. Good luck with the surgery.