My questions about gallstones, gallbladder???

Question

Its December 26 and I am almsot 100% sure that I had a gallbladder attach a few days ago. I went to my doctor and hopefully I'll get in to a ultrasound to find out for sure in the next two weeks. Its been 5 days since the attach and my upper stomach/shoulder is soooooo sore. I'm trying to eat better but I wasn't a healthy eater before so find it hard now. My question is that in the second week of Feb ((two months from now)) I was heading on a 6 week dive holiday. If it is gallstones then will i be able to have the surgery before then and heal and be fine. Also where do they cut you...will I be bikini ready?? Also if the surgery is usually scheduled months in advance then will I be ok in another country and to go scuba diving??? Please help.

Answer 1

A lot depends on the results of the ultrasound. Take whatever your doctor says seriously. When I worked Intensive Care we once had a patient come in with obstructive pancreatitis. This is rare, but should not be taken lightly. He went into shock and had to have emergency surgery.

There is a tube (the common bile duct) that runs from the liver to the small intestine. It passes the gallbladder, which dumps bile into it. Then it passes the pancreas, which dumps pancreatitis enzymes into it. They digest protein. Finally it empties into the intestine.

In his case a stone came out of the gallbladder, but wedged at the pancreatic duct. This caused the enzymes to back up in the pancreas. It was extremely painful. After while the enzymes start to digest the pancreas. It can be life threatening.

Years ago gallbladder surgery always involved making a big slice in the abdomen. It was a long surgery. There was a lot of pain afterward and the hospital stay was a 7 - 10 days. It is usually much easier than that now. Check out the sources below.

Ask your doctor a lot of questions. You are paying good money for them. Good Luck.