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Gallbladder removal??

Posted , 12 users are following.

naddynoo
naddynoo

I am on the waiting list for gallbladder removal as mine is 'full of stones'. Surgeon has told me that removal may not be the answer to my problems as I also have high liver function (10 times higher than normal) although my latest bloods came back normal. My attacks are about as bad as they can get but I don't have them that often. It can be once a week, once a month or like now I haven't had one since Xmas. After reading how badly so many people have suffered after removal, I am now unsure whether to go ahead as my pain is not so frequent that it affects my day to day life although it's awful when I do get it. I don't want to end up with problems that are worse or more frequent than what I am dealing with now. What would your advice be? My onlyworry would be what could happen with my gallbladder being so full?

1 like, 27 replies

27 Replies

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  • queence22374
    queence22374 naddynoo

    Posted

    Hi Dear,

    I know is not easy and you might suffer after the post cholestectomy. I had same decision before that I dont really want to removed it. But if you will stay it with a long period of time it might causes some complications in other organs. There is possibility that the stones will obstruct in your bile duct specially if its small size. Just gather more advise from doctors what would be the best thing you can do.

    The effects of post cholestectomy varies from person to person. Not all patient done gb surgery suffers pain. There are lucky patients that immediately they feel back to normal like my 4 friends who did it, but unfortunately Im not one of those. Still now I have discomfort to my stomach but Im very positive that soon it will be ok by God's help.

    God bless you

  • sally_14743
    sally_14743 naddynoo

    Posted

    Hi 

    you will reach a point when you are willing to have the operation knowing you could be left with diahreah or constipation issues ...whether that's because you are in absolute agony or you have a blocked bile duct have got  jaundiced and are being emergency operated on ...or because you have askied your specialist what he would do in your situation ...and weighed up the logic of it ...

    notiice you may be left most of us are not but if u r u need to be able to cope and weighing it up before the operation ...helps 

    so maybe now is not the time for you and in a year when you are climbing the walls in pain as many on here are u will beg for the op.. 

    It's a tough one as we were all terrified of the operation ..but the one thing worst is waiting for 5 or 6 months for an op in absolute agony unable to eat well , work or enjoy life ...waiting lists and operations cancellations ...frustration 

    or getting jaundice and risking your life with a blocked bile duct ..

    you will I am sure decide to do it when u can cope and only you know when that is ...

    but I am so so glad I had mine out 15 years of misdiagnosis ..and believe me I felt better to be rid of a rotting gallbladder 👍😄

     

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 naddynoo

    Posted

    Hi, Naddynoo,  

    I understand.  I got problems after my gallbladder surgery, like many of those who are on this site.  But, your gallbladder is diseased; you're experiencing those attacks for a reason.  It is not good to keep a diseased organ in your body if it can safely be removed.  The gallbladder can rupture, it can become cancerous--there are worse things that can happen than having to know where a bathroom is every second, believe me.  Take heart and know that whatever happens you can handle it! Best of luck, and let us know how you get on!    

    • naddynoo
      naddynoo lynda20916

      Posted

      Thank you, that's what I wasn't sure of - whether it could rupture etc. You have put it a little into perspective for me x
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 naddynoo

      Posted

      You are very welcome.  I had my troubles in 2009, and I felt (and was) very alone in the sense that no one but a fellow sufferer knows what you are going through. My situation was different, though.  I begged my reluctant surgeon to remove my gallbladder.  smile  Take care!  x
  • jen80413
    jen80413 naddynoo

    Posted

    Hi I had same talk from my consultant literally eveeytime I ate anythin within 20 min I would be in the toilet excruciating pain up to a hour it was running my life my gp thought gallbladder so I had scan which proved it was absolutely filled with gallstones so I was sent to a upper gi surgeon we went thru all my symptoms the toilet one being the main issue he said he didn't think it would releice that symptom but as it was so full he would do the operation anyway so I had the op 22 days ago. Not gonna lie it has been awful for me I had to have more incisions and alot of swellin and big lump BUT I touch wood haven't been needing the loo everytime I eat good had been ok. My dad and cousin had the op and we're fine within a week wat what they want back to work etc I think I was just a unlucky one as still suffering I would have symptoms weekly then go away monthly then it came back daily I was on anti biotic for 4 mth as kept gettin inflammed which was agony so I had no choice not to have it removed really.
    • naddynoo
      naddynoo jen80413

      Posted

      Hi sounds horrendous, poor you. I hope you feel better soon x
  • christine33931
    christine33931 naddynoo

    Posted

    It is a dfficult decision to make. If your day to day living is not badly affected and you are quite young it might be tempting to keep your  gall bladder but if it is full of stones it seems removal will have to happen sometime? If you wait for the nhs it will be about 6 months anyway unless you have an emergency which is not good. My pain was not severe but it was happening daily and me being over 70, I felt I did not have time to hang about. I paid a. Lot of money ylot of money to get it over and done with. It's now 6 weeks and I am getting back to normal but am bloated an uncomfortable still especially at night. It's great to be able to et normally though and plan holidays etc.i can live with the dsconfort better than the grinding pain which could be quite random through the night or during the day and did not respond to painkillers.
    • Annoee
      Annoee christine33931

      Posted

      Hi Christine

      I am on the waiting list for removal on the NHS but can't afford the op privately. I too am finding it very debilitating and restrictive in my life.I can't plan anything and am terrified of being away from home in case I get a flare up. I am restricting my holidays to the UK but ended up in a and e with excrutiating pain 2 weeks ago on holiday here! Is it better post op?

    • christine33931
      christine33931 Annoee

      Posted

      It is only 6 weeks since my op but I have to believe I am better post op.my doctor says it is gr too soon for me to be completely comfortable and I know people do have prolonged problems. There are loads of web sites recommending keeping your gall bladder and using herbal remedies. I bought a lot of stuff but nothing really worked to any effect. It depends how much pain and discomfort you can tolerate. The fear of pancreatitis, liver problems etc is very real and I did not feel I could book holidays abroad until afterwards. I do grudge the money but I was lucky enough to have savings which would be useless to me if I'm ill all the time. I took out an interest free credit card with BMI to protect my savings but the interest rates are very low any way.. If I was younger I would have waited for nhs.. I am still very tired but I know younger people recover much more quickly and I don't know anyone suffe,ring post op other than on these sites.ki am driving again and doing my own housework. Going out for meals etc with no problems. Just tired and not sleeping great that's all. I hope this helps.
    • cheeky87
      cheeky87 christine33931

      Posted

      thats great christine. im glad you feel better after getting the gallbladder out and i hope that your discomfort sorts its self out. im 65. it must be great to eat normally again. thanks for this post.its given me some hope.
    • naddynoo
      naddynoo christine33931

      Posted

      Hi I am 44 and I am about 6 weeks into a probable 9 month waiting list. My main worry is having the operation and then developing another type of pain or discomfort that may affect me daily. Will wait until I get my opinion date and decide then I think. X
    • cheeky87
      cheeky87 christine33931

      Posted

      good luck christine and what you say is so true. what good is money if your to ill to spend it. im so glad your going out for meals etc. may your recovery be all good and fast. im pleased for you.❤️its heped me and given me hope. 
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