I am unsure if I should have my gallbladder removed or not
Posted , 16 users are following.
I posted a few months ago about some problems I was having with my gallbladder and gallstones. I ended up in hospital for a week in December with pancreatitis caused by gallstones. I have been pain-free since December but I still have gallstones in my gallbladder according to a MRI scan I had recently. I am currently waiting for a cholecystectomy. I have the preoperative appointment coming up soon, so the surgery will probably happen a few weeks after that. I am having some doubts about whether I should have the surgery. I have read multiple testimonies online from people who have had their gallbladders removed and are now suffering chronic health problems as a result. I am also worried about the surgery itself. I am balancing those fears against the possibility that the pain from the gallstones will return and I will end up in hospital again. The pain was the worst I have ever experienced. Would you have the surgery in my situation? I am not sure what to do.
0 likes, 50 replies
belinda62595 sergregor868
Posted
lynda20916 sergregor868
Posted
It's a dilemma for many people. But your sick gallbladder is probably what's affecting your pancreas. All organs in the digestive system are interrelated, not descrete. Pancreatitis can be fatal. Did your doctor not tell you that? Pain is not your only problem. The pain is there to let you know that something is going on.
The majority of people do well after gallbladder surgery, and don't post on sites like this!
Best of luck to you, and let me know how you get on. xx
katherine42413 sergregor868
Posted
Hi, If you had pancreatitis caused by gallstones then they want to stop this from happening again and the only way to do that is to remove your gallbladder. Pancreatitis can be potentially very serious even life threatening and something that I've been talking to my consultant about. You can live without a gallbladder but you need your pancreas.
This operation is extremely common and the majority of people don't have any problems at all especially if its gallstones related. In others there are sometimes other issues that were hidden by the gallbladder and the doctors need to treat one part of the body at a time and then they'll treat the next if its relevant but hopefully in your case you won't have any problems.
Unfortunately its not our decision but yours so we can't tell you what to do but having pancreatitis is a real threat with your gallbladder still there.
Let us know what you decide. take care
las sergregor868
Posted
I have been back and forth about having mine removed as well. All of my test came back normal but I have the symptons. I have decided to have it removed. According to my surgeon it's acting like a typical gallbladder, acts up and then goes away and repeat.
I am scared of the issues after surgery as well, but I think the key is having a REALLY REALLY GOOD SURGEON. I know mine is one of the best so I feel good about it.
Hope this helps! I know the feeling of going back and forth about it.
NEMO88 sergregor868
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Beenthruit sergregor868
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My pre-op was only a week before surgery. I ended up having open cholecystectomy but I know four people who have had laparoscopic cholecystectomy without any lasting problems.
The bottom line is, if you have gallstones, you may be able to control symptoms temporarily with a low fat diet but long term your gallbladder will only deteriorate. There are numerous horror stories of gallbladders bursting. Jaundice, which I had, has the potential to cause septic shock. In my case, histological examination of ny gallbladder after surgery revealed a tiny tumour and I had to have a liver resection only a month after my cholecystectomy. So my advice to anyone who is wavering is don't delay.
DMP1391 sergregor868
Posted
Best way to decide is to judge based on the amount of pain and restriction you're getting. If the attacks are rare and can easily be controlled by diet then wait it out. See how long you can go without much pain. Your GB does eventually start feeling better and the stones move around making it less painful. But it's very rare it impossible to save it once you get an attack from stones. I tried to save my gallbladder for like 3 years after it gave me constant trouble. Adopted a clean, low-fat diet and did more excersize. This helped some and I postponed my surgery but after a while you feel the need to consume something fatty like fish or coconut or cheese. I could eat a little without problems but eventually the pain comes straight back and it's like all that diettting you did was for nothing.
Tbh you'll probably end up having it removed one way or another. But it's still worth waiting and monitoring your own symptoms.
laura50074 sergregor868
Posted
If you aren't in an emergency situation, avoid the surgery. Surgery isn't the only treatment for gallstones. I was supposed to get surgery 11 years ago to remove my gallbladder. While waiting a few days for the surgery to be scheduled, I researched gallstones treatment, prevention and causes.
Turns out that what you eat triggers attacks, and if you stop eating that stuff, you won't get sick.
Obvious, yet not, eh? For about a month after the gallstone attack I stopped eating anything with much fat:
I ditched milk, meat, fatty things and basically ate cream of wheat and whole wheat crackers.
I learned that drinking pear juice (has lots of pectin) could help ward off an attack.
It's all about garbage in, garbage out. After several months I was able to eat a bit more normally, but ultimately I've permanently stopped eating any red meat, pork, bacon, eggs, cheese, processed foods like potato chips.
I still eat baked chicken, ground turkey, and fish - salmon. I drink soy milk and sometimes 1% milk.
You see, gallstones are made up of cholesterol produced by your liver. It happens when you eat too much fatty stuff. Maybe other people can eat that stuff but not you or me.
I have my gallbladder today, don't get sick, don't have side effects, and now feel healthier than I've felt in years. I've lost some weight too.
Try to improve your diet and you won't have these attacks. Eat lots of fiber (apples, pears) and that will help eliminate the gallstones. Don't try weird stuff like oil/flushing, just eat properly.
Oh and beet juice can help stop an attack too, you can buy it in the juice aisle, just plain beet juice, maybe about a shot or two a day in the morning, good for your blood pressure too.
sue76042 laura50074
Posted
How are you now as need mine out or so I've been advised
laura50074 sue76042
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I'm doing great. It was in 2006 that I had my first gallbladder attack. The pain was so bad it scared me to death. Went to doctor, got referred to surgeon. They did an xray and a sonogram, saw quite a few stones. I still have that xray.
- If they hadn't made me wait a week to see the surgeon, I'd already have had the surgery done.
If it was necessary surgery, why did they want me to wait a week?
-Doctors only know two methods - pills or surgery. They don't cure, they treat.
- A friend told me that pectin could help dissolve the gallstones. Drink pear juice she said.
Meanwhile, I stopped eating anything that could trigger another attack. Very mild diet. Mostly cream of wheat for a few weeks. Drank pear juice 1 or 2 small cans a day. 1 is enough.
- I started feeling better. I researched it and found that some people had really bad results from the surgery, and with my luck, I'd probably be one. So I cancelled the surgery.
- I learned that gallstones are caused by the food we eat, so instead of treating the gallstones I decided to stop making them. I eliminated red meat, fatty or fried foods, potato chips, white bread, cheese. Then in 2017 I cut out almost all meat, except for some turkey, and eat a lot more vegetables and fruit. Read the book "How Not to Die" by Dr Michael Greger. He's got some great videos on youtube and a website nutritionfacts.org . Also visit website Forks Over Knives. I'm not full vegan but still I eat mostly whole healthy foods, eat all I want.
? Don't do those ridiculous "cleanses" that tell you to drink lots of oil. That can trigger an attack.
Pectin in fruit, especially pears can help dissolve the existing gallstones. It can relieve an attack too.
? I've lost 40 pounds since Aug 2017 just by eating properly.
- Surgery should be last resort, only for emergencies. Surgery can have unintended consequences.
If you are sick, something is causing it. You don't just get gallstones, you've caused them by what you eat. Gallstones are cholesterol.
? I don't take ANY medicines at all now, and I'm 59 years old. I don't take over the counter meds, not even for headache or allergies. Since I improved my diet, my hayfever is almost gone. It's weird.
- Now decide for yourself, do your own research.
sue76042 laura50074
Posted
Hi Laura that's great. I had a stone 8mm stuck in bile duct. Had it removed felt amazing. Had a scan now told got a large stone size of ping pong ball. Went to consultant. Have no pain nothing . Can eat what I want. Obviously healthy and he said I'm booking u in for it out . So I'm worried
laura50074 sue76042
Posted
Here's a good article about different treatments for stones, depending on your circumstances.
http://ddc.musc.edu/public/diseases/pancreas-biliary-system/gallstones-bile-duct-stones.html
I chose not to get my gallbladder removed back in 2006 (writing this in 2018). My decision was made after the attack had stopped, and change of diet prevented further attacks.
Eating foods with a lot of fat (red meat, milk, cheese, fried foods - look at the labels!) causes your liver to create cholesterol.
So if you over eat fatty foods, your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.
" The gallbladder acts as a reservoir for bile, a substance produced by the liver which helps the body digest fat. It’s believed that high-fat diets contribute to the bile becoming over-saturated, causing gallstones to form."
https://www.bmhvt.org/gallbladder-disease-increasing-and-trending-younger/
*Did you know that you can still get stones even after your gallbladder is removed?*
"After cholecystectomy, gallstones may recur in the bile duct in a small percentage of patients."
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gallstones-beyond-the-basics
So even if you get rid of your gallbladder, you still will harm your body if you're filling it up with cholesterol.
I'm a chicken. I read up on problems experienced after the surgery (like accidentally severing a duct...) and decided I would do anything to avoid the surgery.
If you absolutely have to get surgery, try to make sure the surgeon is tops.
Good luck.
sue76042 laura50074
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laura50074 sue76042
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Good luck Sue. Don't forget that it is the food we eat that causes this.
At first, after the attack I stopped eating most foods, only ate things with almost no fat.
Ultimately I now eat mostly whole foods, that is vegetables, fruits (frozen is as good as fresh, the nutrients are preserved in the freezing process). I only eat sprouted wheat bread. White bread is loaded with fat.
Read labels. They show how much cholesterol and fat is in the product.
If you mess up and eat the wrong thing and it triggers an attack, drink about 8 ounces of pear juice (cans sold in Asian or ethnic food aisle) or a similar amount of beet juice (sold in juice aisle, not cheap but worth it). This will stop the attack within about 15 minutes.
I now drink beet juice every day because it helps fight high blood pressure, plus it's loaded with anti-oxidants. I feel good for my age 59 and still push mow my yard every week, don't get out of breath either.
If you can't go full vegan do at least cut out red meat,fried foods, battered foods, potato chips, CHEESE, and cows milk if you can. Almond milk, soy milk are good and have the calcium etc in them. Read labels.
I found that my hayfever is almost gone, as is my GERD. (Acid reflux). And my blood sugar and BP are nice low numbers.
laura50074 sue76042
Posted
Sorry one last comment. Some people raised important issues about possible problems with gallbladder like infection etc. Valid concerns.
Here's a good article that helps you consider whether you should indeed have surgery.
Gallstones: Should I Have Gallbladder Surgery?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
FAQsWhat are gallstones?
What is the surgery to remove the gallbladder?
What are the risks of gallbladder surgery?
What are the risks of NOT having the gallbladder removed?
If you decide against surgery, what can you do to prevent another attack?
Why might your doctor recommend gallbladder surgery?
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/aa57471
sue76042 laura50074
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laura50074 sue76042
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Yay! Pear juice won't hurt you. I'll still drink a few cans a week, not necessarily every day.
Beet juice can also cause an attack to subside, perhaps because it can make blood vessels open up.
Keep some of both in stock always.
I drink about 2-3 ounces of beet juice every day and eat a small apple a day.
Going forward, if you're willing, change your diet. Otherwise, you'll have attacks again, form new stones again.
There are some healthy fats, like in avocados, but for awhile even those might not be good for you.
Some say that regular consumption of pectin and or maybe apple cider vinager can help dissolve or soften existing stones. Don't know if it is true or not. The vinegar can be bad for your teeth - I don't bother but if you do then make sure you rinse your teeth.
I can't afford to go to a doctor, don't trust most of them, so I committed to improving my health through diet. At first I missed potato chips etc, but after awhile my taste buds changed and those things don't taste good anymore. I started by adding new healthy foods to my diet and experimenting to see which ones I liked, and now here I am 40 pounds lighter. It was gradual, I noticed I was losing about 5 pounds a month (I wasn't trying to lose weight just trying to eat healthier) and then I seemed to stop losing weight after dropping the 40 pounds. I may increase exercise to lose a few more.
Good luck, take care.
eve13458 laura50074
Posted
Can you tell me what sprouted bread is? I am pleased for you that your diet has worked out well for you, I hope it does the same for me. I am 63 and could of had GS for years and only found out when having tests for other things. Best wishes for the future.
Eve.
laura50074 eve13458
Posted
Hi Eve.
Yeh, butter, cheese, crisps put your liver and gallbladder in overdrive. Some people can eat that stuff and never get sick, but anyone with gallstones shouldn't.
I don't know if you get enough or more pectin by eating the whole pear. I've not tried that. I've tried eating pears (from the can) and it didn't help me as much as the juice.
All I know is that pear juice works and quickly.
I buy the 8 ounce cans and drink about half a can every now and then. Used to drink half a can a day. After time you could stop drinking it or just drink a can a week. Keep it on hand just in case though.
You'd have to eat a lot of beets to get the same benefit as beet juice. I just drink about 2-3 ounces (like a shot glass size) of beet juice in the morning. (It's good for your blood pressure too, athletes know this). At first I thought it would taste awful, but after a sip I was surprised. And it's just a little bit.
If you drink pear juice you could skip the beet juice, I just like it because I know it helps my health.
If you slip up on your diet and an attack occurs, beet juice can stop the attack within about 15 minutes. Or pear juice. I keep both on hand.
My first attack was in 2006 and that's when I learned I had some gallstones. And was told to get surgery. Almost everyone has gallstones but the severity can be shown in the sonogram your doctor takes.
When I drifted from a proper diet, cheated and ate steak or pie, it did cause new attacks. Steak and pie are super high in saturated fats. Each time it was pear juice that stopped the attack.
I learned my lesson for good - that I can't go back to eating trash foods. Giving up pie was hard.
You have to pick what works for you. Your body will tell you.
Sprouted grain breads have higher fiber and lower fat content. Most stores have it but I get mine at Trader Joes. Not expensive. You can just get whole wheat but this is just way better.
You want lots of fiber and get your fats from vegetables like avocados. I held off on almost all fats for a couple of months after that attack in 2006. I basically ate cream of wheat made with water, ate whole wheat bread, didn't even eat butter alternatives on bread. Then as I felt better I added normal food, more vegetables. It was like 6 months before I could eat white meats like chicken and turkey. After a year I was eating some red meat (hamburgers etc). But I learned that eventually red meat could still trigger an attack. I try to minimize eating even turkey (the lowest fat content, white meat) today
though). I like fish but almost never eat it.
I don't eat white bread, rolls, cakes, pies, chips - these are really high in fat.
I have erased them from my diet.
I'm a horrible cook so I do buy some frozen vegan dinners to augment my meager efforts and health foods. Vegan meaning no cheese. Cheese is like glue for your gallbladder.
Basically I don't eat foods that are inflammatory.
I'm sure there are people who have to get their gallbladder removed, depending on the situation.
And if I had medical insurance back in 2006, I probably would have obeyed the doctors and gotten the surgery 12 years ago. However, I'm glad I didn't.
I'm not a full blown vegan, I still eat some turkey (ground in spaghetti with spaghetti squash instead of wheat noodles). I eat a lot more beans and rice, different types of soy, more mixed veggies, and add frozen fruit to my cereal, celery sticks (with nut butter or humus) for snacks. Celery is good for blood pressure. Things that you think you won't like end up tasting good.
Dr Michael Greger has done a lot of research on nutrition, written a book (all proceeds go to a non profit geared towards educating people about diet). And he's got some great short videos on youtube.
I bought the book and about a 3rd of it was footnotes from actual studies.
He's a full vegan but he doesn't push that, he just gives you easy to understand info.
His website is https://nutritionfacts.org/
laura50074 eve13458
Posted
if you are still feeling pain right now, stop eating anything with fat. Eat only super mild low fat stuff till you feel better.
Some people get just the stones removed. If your pain is continuing, then maybe you need the stones or gallbladder removed.
check out these articles to help you think on this
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320442.php?sr
william05098 laura50074
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eve13458 laura50074
Posted
Hi Laura.
Thank you for your reply, it was very interesting and very helpful. I have started drinking beet juice, I really like it and had some pear juice, but I'm still not sure what kind of bread you mean, I'm in England and we don't have a trader Joe, and don't sell the bread anywere, it took a few different trips to shops to find pear juice. I have cut out all the bad stuff now and am feeling better, I had a typo in my last post, it said I can't cope with the pain and it was supposed to say I can cope, I should have checked it first. I have mild pain but it seems to be easing now I'm not eating junk, I would never have thought that a few days of clean eating would make a difference so soon. I am a veggie but I ate high fat foods, not now thanks to your encouraging posts. Thanks again for all the great info. I will keep on with the changed diet and let you know how I get on. Best wishes, Eve.
sue76042 eve13458
Posted
Hi eve I had an 8mm stone stuck in my bile duct it was so painful. I couldn't eat anything nice so I had it removed then felt amazing. 3 days later got water infection had ultrasound and in my gallbladder is a gallstone size of a golf ball. I don't have pain and if i hadn't of had a routine scan I wouldn't of known it was there . My surgeon wants it out but I'm not doing it. If i have pain then yes. But I have low fat diet and am happy .
laura50074 eve13458
Posted
Spouted bread just has more fiber and nutrients. Not an endorsement but here's a link to some in England.
http://www.planetorganic.com/bakery-sprouted-breads/
Even if you get your gallbladder removed, or just the stones, diet is still important. Other parts of your body are suffering from this unhealthy eating.
Here's a really good article on what types of foods to eat or not eat - I bookmarked it.
Coffee is on list to avoid. I stopped it at first when I was sick, but I do have 1 cup a day now.
https://liverandpancreassurgeon.com/diet-tips-gallbladder-issues/
If you're still feeling sick, eat the blandest stuff you can for awhile.
When I was in pain, I ate very little, just cream of wheat (using water not milk) and other whole wheat stuff. I temporarily stopped drinking any juices for awhile, stopped coffee.
it might be something else for you, but something low fat and mild.
I only drink water, cranberry juice, beet juice or pear juice, and 1 cup of coffee.
I got tempted by sodas (soft drinks) but learned my lesson.
A doctor can advise if it is safe to try diet.
sue76042
Posted
Also drink lots of water. Don't eat cheese , Apple juice , Apple's, pears, and if u ever get pain a hot water bottle and sleep on your right side . Clean living is the key
carol02471 sue76042
Posted
Hello Sue,Laura, & everyone Eldon on the forum.
I felt compelled to write as I originally started a forum due to my daughter after she did have her gallbladder out and do many problems. That was a couple of years ago and she is now only 22. She can’t eat or drink water anymore & I’ve nearly lost her a few times.
My honest opinion is if you can keep your gallbladder and try alternative food options then do, if you are like my daughter & are that 1% complication it’s life changing & not in a good way.
She is having to have a permanent feeding tube inserted on Thursday to bypass her tummy due to no gallbladder the liver dumps all the acid & bile straight into her tummy & then it destroys the lining of tummy & oesophagus, vomiting blood & membrane.
If you can hold onto your gallbladder as long as possible it’s best to try to, I know not everyone has problems, but you can’t put it back in , my son offered to give his sister his, and it holds all acid & bile .
It’s ruined her life and ours so just think twice about it, i update a link as many people are sharing to try and help her & us, her dad’s walked away as too much of an inconvenience for him now.
I truly hope you all keep your gallbladder as long as possible & wish you nothing but good health
She is so brave but wasn’t in pain like this everyday with her gallbladder, her gallbladder was only functioning at 14% so they took it out thinking it would cure the attack’s they were bad but 1 a week now it’s pain 25/7, violently sick with it.
Some have them out and are totally ok, my sister did as hers was blocked with so many stones & she is ok a lot of the time but on Amitriptyline for small nerve endings pain from where the gallbladder used to be,
Just try everything else first, there is no going back.
Truly wish you all well
Love Carol xxx
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sue76042 carol02471
Posted
Hi Carol that's awful for you and family. I decided having found one stone in my gallbladder by accident that I'm not having it removed . Reading your letter has also made me think that sometimes it is not better out as I honestly thought when it was out there would be no pain ever again . Thankyou for your time and note. Xx
william05098 laura50074
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laura50074 william05098
Posted
skip the beet juice, it's just an extra. Can you have pear juice? Pear juice is great.
The pectin really helps. Can you eat an apple a day?
Can you go on a plant based diet and eliminate as much animal products as possible? That would help your kidney stones and gallbladder.
Sometimes disease can be reversed, heart disease, kidney etc google Forks Over Knives and read testimonials, read Dr Michael Greger's work or view his videos, also there's Caldwell B. Esselstyn (he's super strict vegan no allowances though) . Dr Greger is a bit more lenient, practical and gives you studies as well as simple understanding.
See - Treating Kidney Stones with Diet:
Studies suggest that excessive consumption of animal protein poses a risk of kidney stone formation, likely due to the acid load contributed by the high content of sulfur-containing amino acids in animal protein.
...
Through dietary changes alone, we may be able to dissolve uric acid stones completely and cure patients without drugs or surgery.
To summarize, the most important things we can do diet-wise is to drink 10 to 12 cups of water a day, reduce animal protein, reduce salt, and eat more vegetables and more vegetarian.
https://nutritionfacts.org/2017/06/27/treating-kidney-stones-with-diet/
Dr Greger researches medical publications and actual studies on the issue of nutrition and it's impact on health. And if you're drinking well water you might be better off with filtered or bottled water?
About my gallstones. I don't know if they've gone away. I just know that as long as I eat right I don't have an attack. I avoid over the counter meds and almost never take them, they are inflammatory too.
eve13458 sue76042
Posted