Scheduled for Operation next week but now worrying if it's the right thing to do?
Posted , 10 users are following.
Aside from my anxieties surrounding the operation such as fear of death due to complications or having to covert to open procedure. I'm worrying that I might be one of the people who suffer from long term diarrhoea afterwards.
I read how some of you are in pain everyday and have a very limited diet. Whereas though I have multiple gallstones I have 'only' had two severe attacks I.e (was admitted overnight both times and called ambulance for the first as thought it was a heart attack) the attacks lasted for hours and only IV morphine took away the pain. Day to day I eat what I want and though I get grumbles of mild pain in gb area and often lack energy. I'm not in severe pain everyday. However I due fear another attack especially as what I eat doesn't seem to effect it so I don't have control over it.
The surgeon I saw advised removal as he said in his experience once gallstones start causing pain it usually continues and puts you at higher risk of complications. He said complications from surgery including diarrhoea are rare and if I do get diarrhoea it should go after a few weeks/months.
I guess I'm after your thoughts in what you would do in my situation, and your experiences on how your surgery went.
1 like, 40 replies
Nopishut michelle_34992
Posted
I had the same fears as you believe me so I understand how you are feeling at the moment. I'd love to give you a definite answer of yes or no but unfortunately there is no way of knowing as every individual is different.
All I can tell you is that I was terrified. I kept thinking of the worst case scenario. I cried going into the theatre and the nurses were just so lovely and I think only for them I would of ran right there and then. All you will remember is falling asleep and then waking up two hours later in recovery. It's an extremely common operation and probably the most performed operation is there. I can honestly say it went better than expected.
However the after part has been hard. I wish I could tell you I'm so happy I got it done but because I'm experiencing bouts of diarhorria and back avideo reflux this is just not the case. Its only been two weeks since the op though and apparently some people do suffer temporarily until their body adapts to the new system.
I was told after the op that I could follow a low fat diet and resume normal eating habits weeks later. The reality is you need to get very bland foods for the first 4 weeks and by this I mean no fried, spicy or fatty foods. Also you may suffer from acid reflux and this may mean taking a proton pump inhibitor for weeks months or for life. I am not trying to scare you but you should be aware of these possibilities.
Everyone is different like I said so what I went through you may not. You need to weigh up all the pros and cons. You are already living in fear of setting off an attack again by eating the wrong thing. It's not a nice way to have to live, but if your doctor is sure that this is the best course of action for you to take then maybe it is. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion.
I wish you the best and let us know how you get on.
michelle_34992 Nopishut
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I'm seeing my GP tomorrow to ask about sick note and a sedative for the night before and morning of surgery I'm that scared! I'm currently suffering with health anxiety I've been signed off work as it was so bad, I've started cbt and I'm starting to feel a lot better than I was but the operation is hard to cope with.
sibylann Nopishut
Posted
So that was 6 monthes ago and they recommended surgery but I went to the library read as much as I could about bilary and trying to figure out what to do.
So after reading I changed my diet I only eat chicken if cooked in a pan no grease at all - fast food is done for us all at this point rice lots of veggies low fat everything . So my pain went away then I went on a probiotic from gnc. I have to say I feel great my hall bladder is not acting up. It did once after I ate something I wasn't supposed to chocolate is out also ehh. This worked for me I have small stones showed on scan. Everyone is different but hey I would try anything it is risky surgery I don't care what doctors say.
sibylann
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Acejohnston michelle_34992
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michelle_34992 Acejohnston
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My consultant didn't bring up the diarrhoea I had to ask him about the risks involved as I had read about the diarrhoea on here from yourself and a few others. He is an experienced Gi surgeon so I feel confident in his abilities but so fearful of dying or having complications and leaving or not be able to look after my 3 young children. My instinct sometimes says yes sometimes no but as I've being diagnosed with anxiety my instincts often are negative so I don't feel I can trust them.
Acejohnston michelle_34992
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michelle_34992 Acejohnston
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hope4cure michelle_34992
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i had mine removed due to stones stuck in the bile duct. So extremely painful. I had been to ER several times and each time they thought it was a heart attack. I could not breath the pain in my chest, ribs front and back were excruciating could not even move. Don't let it get that far along that's why they are removed..
Long story short. I was relieved my gastrointerologist finally found the real cause of all the pain over many years of searching for what caused the pain.To tell you the truth I was fearful it was my first surgery yet at the same time I was relieved to have my gallbladder removed. Looking forward to none of the pain I suffered with for so long to be removed,and it worked it took about four weeks to get back to normal. I never suffered a dibiltating attack again. Follow the diet and you will do just fine.
michelle_34992 hope4cure
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Due to my anxiety I worry a lot about aches and pains and fear they are something serious so I worry that I might feel the pain in my chest from the gas after the op and worry it is a pulmonary embolism!
hope4cure michelle_34992
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Have you tried any anxiety meds they can help you I used to constantly ruminate over and over. Some anxiety drugs help block the seritonon levels or adrenalin levels hat can be higher in many who have anxiety .
of course it is normal to have some before the OP, I'm generally speaking of constant anxiety.
tommyboy77 michelle_34992
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Stay positive.
michelle_34992 tommyboy77
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jane3315 michelle_34992
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I found the whole process in the hosptial amazing. I was a little uptight until I saw the consultants registrar she was so lovely and I felt so relaxed about ti all after talking to her. She said we do this all day long so no worries for us. Even the anethatist was a women and was so lovely too. They make the whole process as easy as possible for you. I know its easy to say dont worry but it is an anxious time for you but a lot of us have very positive outcomes so just wanted to add my experoence. All the best and look forward to hearing how you get on. x
michelle_34992 jane3315
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I'm a vegetarian I wonder if that is why I haven't had to be so careful about what I'm eating? Hopefully that means I might be able to resume my normal diet quickly.
I'm sure the anaesthetist and nurses/odps will be good (I work in the same hospital so kind of hope I haven't worked with them before as ill be a nervous wreck! I saw my GP today and she said I'm feeling very anxious to ask for a sedative as soon as I get there which I will be doing!
jane3315 michelle_34992
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michelle_34992 jane3315
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jane3315 michelle_34992
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hope4cure jane3315
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jane3315 hope4cure
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michelle_34992 jane3315
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michelle_34992 jane3315
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We dong have any one nearby to help but think hubby can at least take them to school and ill collect (can take bus if I have too)
hope4cure jane3315
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Im so sorry that this could have been the pain issue for you for many years
thats why I tell a lot of folks here to never give up .