Got two small stones but no attacks for 6 weeks since cutting out crisps, olives etc etc.

Hi Tony

My experience is that eventually your body will give you no choice.

Many people live with gallstones without issue. I have a family member who has had gallstones for 6 years with no issues at all they were only noticed on a scan for something else.

However once you get symptoms in my experience it doesn't get any better. It took about 2 years for the pain to become more than an ache. Then the pain from attacks became unbearable and more and more frequent and were triggered not by what I ate as much as the stones moving and becoming stuck in the ducts.

There is also a constant risk of infection of the gallbladder itself and pancreatitis. I unfortunately experienced both.

The final straw was an attack that lasted 16 hours at that point I stopped worrying about anything else my body had decided.

But everyone is different and gallbladder issues I've discovered on these forums are very personalised not everyone has the same symptoms or experience it varies widely. I'd say go with your gut

Best Wishes.

I would wait and see a naturopathic doctor and do a lot of research on gealing your gut, liver and gallbladder.  I have several friends who through diet, probiotics, digestive enzymes,etc., totally healed themselves.  Makes sense to try before you go through surgery.  Nothing to lose and you could save your gallbladder.   I am 61 and 9 weeks post op.   Terrible pain and still struggling.  I, like you, had very few attacks prior.   This is major surgery.   Dont let doctor downplay that.  These forums attest to the fact that many people struggle for years after this surgery.   I lost a ton of weight and it is difficult to regain it .   I would definitely wait.  Good luck

Hi Tony, 

I've read so much on the gallbladder over the last 2 years and spoke to so many doctors! Lol.  It's a good thing you know it's your gallbladder based on having jaundice, liver test and attacks.  I would say if you can live well and enjoy food with adjusting some very fatty foods don't have the op.  If it impacts your life too much then most I know do have it out.  I have sickness but no pain attacks just bad neasea, bloating, terrible weight loss,  can't eat large portions, right shoulder blade pain with a large stone but they aren't sure it's that!?  I've heard a few cases a year are like me?! They diagnosed Gastropresis but I only have a 2% slightly slow stomach which is so minimal for being so sick every week?!  I cut out so much fat and it didn't help.  Obviously keeping your organ is preferred but if it's causing too much pain then you need it out.  It comes down to quality of life and your health being good if you keep it.  .  I'm in Canada but I figure from your comment about crisps you may be the UK where all my family are.  .  Good luck 

Hi Snow, Joan and Karen,

Thanks for your replies all common sense. I am more worried about more anethesia than the op. I'm still undecided and see the consultant at end of week. I will see what he has to say and  then check on the reputation of his skills if that's possible.

Thanks again and good luck with your conditions too.

You can't control it with diet or any of the potions and tinctures that are discussed around the internet. Save yourself the pain and consider yourself lucky you have a diagnosis and an option to resolve it. It will happen again and again no matter what. Whether your body can handle the op is something you need to figure out with the doctor. I suffered needlessly for 2 years and would not go through it again for anything. 

You don't seem to have read the subject of dissolving your stones re ursodioxycholi8c acid treatment?  If they are cholesterol based stones the treatment works.  Your doctors should have given you the option in any case but some doctors do not seem interested in an educated approach? It saved me an operation and it might do same for you so don't just think your gall bladder must be removed because it may not!