Posted , 10 users are following.
I am a 22 year old female and my primary doctor found gallstones during an ultrasound check (2 large and 2 small ones at least). I get pains on my upper right and lower left abdomen I would say at least once a week. It is painful but manageable (I did not go to the do for for this pain, it was just a general check up) He sent me to see a laparoscopic surgery expert. They keep telling me that it is best to remove the gallbladder before something happens i.e pancreatitis or bile dict blockage. I have agreed to do the surgery next week but I wanted peoples imput, both professionals as well as people who have gone through the procedure under similar circumstances. Thanks in advance!
1 like, 33 replies
eduardo_10404 Gallblahhhder
Posted
Hey, hope all is well after your surgery! I'll be having mine on the 11th of July and I'm a bit afraid of the after math, long term at least. I'm 25 years old myself, so this was shocking to me. I almost feel like backing out of surgery. I feel as if the pain is caused by something else than the gallstone I have. I had these pains when I was about 14-15 years of age and they went away for years till now. I tell the doctors this and they still say it's my gallbladder. I almost feel lost in a way. I don't want to remove my gallbladder if I don't have to and if I do, I would like to make sure its for the right reasons.
cynthia89958 eduardo_10404
Posted
Hi Eduardo, sorry you are going through this at such a young age. I can understand your thoughts even though I'm a lot older and had my gallstones 10 years or more. Well, we will likely be in surgery on the same date. I have played out all the scenarios and doubts over the 7 months I have been ill and waiting for this surgery. The drs can find no other reasons for the symptoms although they are not 100% gallbladder I think, but I have sought a second opinion and the consultant was as sure as it is possible to be that this must be it.
I hope that we will be just fine. Take care...
eduardo_10404 cynthia89958
Posted
cynthia89958 eduardo_10404
Posted
That is good news Eduardo, glad you are feeling more confident now. It is important to feel that when going to surgery, it is stressful enough but uncertainty only adds to it.
Unbelievably, the hospital has called off my op yet again and no new date given, so I feel its the end of the road there and am transferring to another hospital, although it will mean going back on their waiting list, I just do not feel confident now with the current one and have waited months already. I don't know if it is the right thing to do, but hoping the larger hospital, which is further away, will have greater resources and be more able to commit to a date, barring emergencies of course, so I know where I stand and have a chance to plan around the admission and after.
Anyway, enough of my situation, I will think of you on the 11th and I'm sure you will do great, being a younger age patient can be an advantage for a quick recovery. Take care and let everyone know how it goes.
fljan cynthia89958
Posted
Wow Cynthia- I am so sorry you are having to wait again. Mine is out- the Doctor says even though my pain was atypical (central, seemingly not related to what I did or didn't eat) the gallbladder was chronically inflammed and some of the many stones were so big it only would have gotten worse. The gas pain from pumping your abdominal cavity was HORRIBLE but only lasted 3 or 4 days- I am off pain pills, taking colace, miralax and ibuprofen as needed, and just feel bloated and uncomfortable. I am gradually returning to a fairly normal low fat diet after spending the first few days with broth with crackers, prune juice, jello and the like. I will keep you informed on the recovery, as I do feel with all my "internet surfing" so many of the bad outcomes are reported because people feel better when they share, and they want to know they are "normal". People who do well generally don't post and I have found 3 or 4 people I know very well who had their gallbladders removed, do not have any problems and can have an occasional glass of wine, and they just try to limit their fat intake. A couple said they eat ANYTHING and it doesn't bother them. So take heart- and know we are all different. I will continue to keep you informed on my recovery from time to time so you know what to expect! Good Luck.
cynthia89958 fljan
Posted
Great that you are on the other side of the op, must be a relief despite the discomforts. I fully agree about the gas pain, as had the same in a past surgery - it was far worse than the wound or operation pain. It does go but had me in agony a while.You are wise to introduce foods slowly. Drs often tell folk they can eat anything they like, maybe some can, but after any illness, esp if you are not eating well before surgery, it will surely stress out the digestive organs further if you rush.
I have a letter right back from the new hospital and although I have to join the waiting list, it already seems more motivated. Here's hoping!
Thanks, will look forward to your updates, take care of you in the meantime.
lynda20916 cynthia89958
Posted
Hi, Cynthia!
Glad you switched hospitals! Here's hoping you get a date soon! Please keep us posted! xx Lynda
eduardo_10404 cynthia89958
Posted
Hey cynthia, I just got home from my surgery and I'm checking in just like I promised! All is well so far and the pain is very minimal. I went in at 9am and it is now 3:51pm in california. I hope all is well with your new hospital and everything is going to plan. Thank you so much for your support! I will keep in touch during my recovery. Hope you get your surgery done soon and please let us know when you have a date set up, god bless!
cynthia89958 eduardo_10404
Posted
There will likely be a bit of a wait again, before I have surgery at the new hospital, being in the UK this is usual, but I have more confidence in them actually seeing it through!
Please take best care of yourself and allow for healing to take place.
I will keep posted and look forward to your updates too. Blessings to you also!
eduardo_10404 cynthia89958
Posted
Hello cynthia, hope all is well with you. It's been 10days since my surgery and I've never been so scared of the future. I just came home form the hospital earlier today for I had to be rushed to the ER 3days ago. I started feeling extreme pains starting last thursday, 4th day post surgery. The pain would only last for a few minutes and go away. Come this Monday I wake up with a burning sensation in my stomach. I get out of bed and grab a banana and some water. Seconds after I eat the banana the pain sky rockets. I have never felt such pain in my life. My father rushes me to the ER. Doctors try and take control of the pain and nothing would work. I was in a cold sweat. They managed to stop the pain at the beginning but the pain would still come back. There would be a cramping and burning feeling. They would have to give me more pain meds and that's all they were able to do. The doctors never figured out forsure what was the real cause. As of right now I'm constantly drinking water. It seems to keep the pain away. I'm praying this pain never comes back again, because it was thee worst experience of my life. I'm doing better now and I hope you are doing good. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and I wish nothing but the best!
cynthia89958 eduardo_10404
Posted
Oh no, sorry to hear this - I hoped you were on the mend by now. Don't forget it is a major surgery internally even though done by lap, so maybe your pain has been due to the trauma. Did they scan you again to make sure nothing was left behind?
Myself, I've had an apology of sorts for the postponements from the first hospital and they offered a new date but I am staying on board with the second choice. Although something is not right with my digestive system for sure, I am managing and eating enough of a few "safe" things to get by. I still dream it will all go and I won't need surgery after all, but with stones and scarring, this is unlikely and I could risk future complications if I don't go ahead. I have more faith in the new hospital so I hope it is a positive move. I will post updates in case it is useful to others.
Well, I also hope for you that it is going to be a smooth road ahead now and no more of that awful pain. Remember it takes time and lots of recuperation but you will get there. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers - the same right back to you. Do report on how you progress and take care.
eduardo_10404 cynthia89958
Posted
Hello Cynthia, hope all is well with you and I hope you've had your surgery already and all has gone as planed. I've been doing great since that last time I have contacted you. No pains unless I eat something greasy. At that point I just have to use the restroom, nothing close to what had happened to me a few weeks back. I still avoid the greasy foods. Aside from that, I have a pretty normal lifestyle. I hope you are doing well, and as always, wish you the best!
lynda20916 cynthia89958
Posted
Hi, Cynthia! I just saw Eduardo's post and realized you hadn't checked in for a while. Hope all is okay. Please let us know. xxx Lynda
lynda20916 eduardo_10404
Posted
Hi, Eduardo, good to know that you're doing so much better! That's wonderful. Please continue to let us know how you do! Lynda
fljan Gallblahhhder
Edited
My surgery was 3 weeks ago today. I had about a week of pretty bad pain, but on Day 12 I was able to fly to my Company Convention, and last Sunday actually had a hamburger and NO ill effects! I ate very low fat, jello, soup, etc for the first 10 days, and gradually am returning to a normal diet. THE FOG IN MY HEAD AND MY DEPRESSION IS MUCH BETTER and I have NO nausea, after 4 months of constant nausea. The doctor said it had to come out- and the way it looked after surgery (I have a picture of it), it has been causing problems for at least a year. Since I had my surgery, I have met many people who also had their gallbladder removed, and 90%+ eat normally (just common sense, especially with fried foods) with no problems. I never had any "traditional" gallbladder attacks, so I had no clue that small internal organ could cause so many different symptoms. Good Luck!
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