gall stones or hernia?

[stacy0143]

hello... I am a 42 Yr old female, 5' 2'  and 130#.  I just lost 25 pounds on the hcg diet in 45 days.  I am now having upper abdominal pain in the center of my stomac about 3" above the belly button.  I do have a small hernia in that same spot, and the pain is all around that hernia, maybe even behind it.  The pain only comes in the evenings.  Usually about 5:30 or later and lasts a couple hours.   It's been going on for about 5 weeks.  the Dr. thinks it is gall stones and wants to remove my gall bladder and have hernia surgery.  I don't want to jump to conclusions; the pain is in the center of my stomach and only on like 2 occasions been over under my right rib cage.  I don't want to have my gall bladder taken out; I've heard it changes your life... thanks, Stacy

[Jaybay]

Your fast weight loss definitely increases the probability that you've developed gallstones.  Your gallbladder stores bile that comes from the liver.  Bile is primarily cholesterol and is ejected from the gallbladder to help digest fats.  When you crash diet, the bile gets thick and sludgy and eventually that sludge gets bigger and turns into stones.  At some point, you'll eat a fatty meal, the gallbladder tries to contract but a stone blocks its flow.  That's when you feel pain and nausea.  Sludge can also build up in the common bile duct and cause the same symptoms.

[missfiveday]

Before your dr sends you for removal, he will perform some diagnostic testing such as ultrasound to check for stones, a hida scan to check gall bladder functionality.  My gallbladder pain occurs under my right rib, into my back and right shoulder which are the typical symptoms.  But everyone is different... Make sure the proper tests are done!!