I am due to have my gallbladder removed on 8th august, but I am terrified because I keep reading about patients who have terrible symptoms post removal and wish they hadn't had it removed. These symptoms include, IBS, diarrhea, upper abdo pain etc. At the moment I suffer from gallstone attacks and get a lot of heartburn, nausea, reflux etc but I don't want these symptoms to get worse.
A removal has been recommended cos it is full of stones and so is my bile duct.
2007-07-03 02:02:55 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Dear Sue,
I had my gallbladder removed in January because of the same symptoms you have. I too had heard many different things about the after affects(effects?). I do have occasional problems with my bowels but nothing that is hard to handle. It's not diarrhea, it's more of softer poop(for lack of a better word). I can feel when this is starting so I have time to get to a rest room. One maybe two trips to the rest room and I'm ok. No cramping, just a feeling of having to go, with some gas mixed in. It may be different with you, you may not even have any problems, which I hope is the case. The way I am now is much better than before the operation. I'm 44, not in the best of shape, but I was moving around pretty good two days after. Not much pain either. There are ways to treat the gallbladder with out surgery but you are treating the symptoms not the problem. I choose to get rid of the problem.
Hope this helps
2007-07-03 02:25:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had mine removed about 4 years ago. I was in a lot of pain and kept having to go to emergency and having morphine injections - eventually they took them out. The op was fine and I had no complications. However, I do now suffer from a different type of pain which the Doctors can't seem to pin point. I have been on Losec for the last few years and suffer from bad diarhhea from time to time. As long as I continue to take the tablets then I don't get bothered with the pain much.
My advice is to get the op done as I wouldn't wish the pain they can cause on anyone. With any luck that will be the end of your problem. Plus you get to keep your stones :-)
2007-07-03 02:07:55 · answer #2 · answered by flyingconfused 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are in the duct, you NEED to have it removed. There is too much of a chance of rupture, and all that bile would kill you in minutes.
I had mine out at age 18, laprascopically.
The post surgical pain I had was far more tolerable than the excruciating 18 hour gallbladder attack I had when they discovered the problem.
The CO2 that they fill your abdomen with made me gassy for about 3 weeks, my digestion wasn't quite normal for a few months, and even now I have a hard time with foods with a high fat content.
Nothing a little common sense & diet modification won't settle; Less meat, more whole grains, lots of fresh fruits & veggies. Plus I supplement with acidophilus, and digestive enzymes.
2007-07-03 02:21:27 · answer #3 · answered by tiny Valkyrie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, if you don't want to die you should have it removed. Stones left in the gallbladder can lodge in your bile duct and kill you.
Not everyone has problems after gallbladder surgery. In fact, most people I know who have had theirs removed didn't suffer from any of the symptoms that you mention.
I think you would be better off having it removed, but that is totally up to you and your doctor.
2007-07-03 02:12:56 · answer #4 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Surgical Tech and have worked in an operating room for 9 years. I could tell you how routine gallbladder surgery is, but that won't alleviate your fears. I had my gallbladder surgery in May of 05 and even working in surgery and knowing exactly what was going on didn't ease my own fears. Being a patient is hell, giving up control of your body to surgeon is hell, but living with this disease would also be hell. I don't regret mine at all! I'm so glad I had it done, the pain of the attacks was much more than I could take.
2007-07-03 02:21:28 · answer #5 · answered by Brandy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the bile duct is full of stones you really do have to have the removal. Many people have gall bladder surgeries and do not have problems afterwards. Everybody's body is different, so you never know exactly how you will react.
I recommend you follow a very strict diet after the surgery to keep from having the symptoms you have read about and further digestive problems.
Avoid all fried foods, fatty foods, junk food, and alcohol. Eat fresh fruit, vegetables, lean proteins such as chicken without the skin, turkey without the skin, fish, and tofu. This will keep you from having further complications.
If you have any further questions please let me know.
Best wishes,
Billie77
2007-07-03 02:10:32 · answer #6 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes. You can't expect to get your gallbladder removed and not have any symptoms. It's just something you will have to deal with. If you don't, you may have more problems down the road. But this question is really meant for your doctor to answer. Good luck!
2007-07-03 02:06:52 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might want to contact an herbalist. You have enough time to see if following a healthy diet with the proper supplements will work for you or not.
What we eat really has an effect on our bodies. Personally, I am not one that eats very well all the time. But I did recently get a gallbladder attack. Every time I ate something I would get sick about half hour later.
I went to the local health food store where they have an herbalists on staff. I spoke with her a little bit and she gave me a a few supplements and overall eating recommendations. It did help.
It may not help in your situation, but look at your alternative. You have over a month to get serious and try changing your diet and adding supplements to help clear out your system. It might not completely clear up in that amount of time, but it might get better to where you postpone your operation. It is possible that over time you might find you do not need the operation at all.
2007-07-03 02:11:29 · answer #8 · answered by pattiebear 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would have it removed, I also suffer immense pain from gallbladder stones, I already suffer IBS, I can't immagine anything worse than suffering from another attack.
2007-07-03 02:07:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
After removal you still have to watch your diet. - I have had 5 stones for over 30 years and didn't get it removed, I haven't had any pain in 27 years, I watch my diet, no fried foods, red meat or dairy products or spicy foods. ( although I do eat them but have to be careful)
2007-07-03 02:12:33 · answer #10 · answered by Jackie M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋