Gallbladder

[TxBrew]

I've had this pain in my stomach area since May. Thought it was an ulcer but turns out after several tests that my gallbladder is only functioning at 30%. I have a Dr. appointment next week to discuss options but it seems they want to remove it. I don't have gallstones either, it's just not working right,

Anyone here had their gallbladder removed?

Why did you have it removed, how was recovery and how are the side effects/eating changes from it being removed.

 

[Ryanh1801]

I had mine removed last May, because of stones. Best thing I ever did I have had stones since I was 14 so it was a major relief. The surgery is a breeze, I only got sick the day after the surgery from the pain killers, and was back at work in 3 days on my feet all day. Also did a 100 mile bike ride two weeks after. I have not noticed any side effects from having it out.

 

[Warped04]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that Tx...

 

[flyboy]

My mother-in-law had her's removed. She has a golfball size stone in it and was in agony. She recovered pretty fast. I don't remember exactly how long though. She did have immediate relieve and her gestural functions returned to normal right away. She just had to watch her fat intake. They went in through her belly button so she doesn't even have a scar. You'll be fine. Let us know how it goes though. When is your surgery? I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

[Fingers]

My wife had hers out before we met but the symptoms did not dissappear for many years. Ironically she would still have gall bladder attacks and land in the hospital in great pain even though she no longer has her gall bladder. She hasn't had an attack in several years now and doesn't seem to have any dietary restrictions based on the gall bladder alone.

 

[Yanos]

My father had his removed due to a dozen stones. His recovery took a few extra days since they had retrieve a few stuck stones from a bile duct. I was amazed at how quickly he was on his feet. His side effect where null. A little tenderness from where the incisions were, but no effect on his diet. Best of luck. You'll be fine if you do end up having surgery.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Years ago the girl I was living with at the time had hers removed. She was in agony-she had attacks after every meal, no matter what she ate. I had to carry her into the ER; she was in such pain she couldn't move. After the surgery and recovery time she was fine, no problems. The surgeries today are a great deal less invasive as they were back then, so the recovery times are much less. Sorry to hear about it, TX, but I think you'll be fine. Let us know when the procedure is, I'll keep you in mind that day.

 

[uglygoat]

i think it's a pretty simple operation, like fly sparging. in fact, i think you can do it your self.

seriously, good luck, and hopefully they don't want to nix the consumption.

 

[Junebug]

Sorry to hear you're due for surgery...like the others said, it's pretty much in and out these days. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

 

[Ó Flannagáin]

My dad had something removed, I believe it was his gallbladder. He has constant diarrhea for the rest of his life now ... he said it happens to about 1 out of 100 that have the process done.

 

[RichBrewer]

Sorry to hear you are having problems Tex. I hope they get you fixed up good as new soon.

 

[cd2448]

My wife had hers out in Feb 07. It was supposed to be keyhole/laproscopic surgery but she had to have full surgery as it had become too infected (thanks to misdiagnosis as back pain!).

She was in hosp for about 2-3 days, then home for about a week, then pretty much back to normal. Big scar, but now she doesn't have the pain from the GB anymore. Well worth it - even if they can't do keyhole surgery.

Good luck dude I'm sure you will be fine!

 

[kinison_fan]

My Mom had hers removed without problems.

A friend has his removed and the surgeon dropped/left a staple in. Sometime after the surgery, he was having pains when he had an erection. Finally, he had an xray and they saw the staple. They ended up leaving it in, saying scar tissue would form and eventually it would dissolve.

 

[Vels]

I had mine taken out 2 yrs ago.

It was infected and i suffered severe pains so they removed it within 24 hours.

Nowadays they make 3 ½" holes in the stomach skin and 1 1" hole in the bellybotton. The operation is done via camera and it takes 45 to 60 mins.

I was done in the afternoon and out of hospital next morning feeling great. 24 hours after the operation wife and i attended a cajun cooking class - no trouble.

Wife is having trouble too and is scheduled to have hers done within a couple of months.

Cheers
Jakob

Btw..

Eating a lot of fat can make stool a little loose as it does for me. This is because more gall can no longer be released when eating fat because it is free flowing at all times. (not collecting in baldder and dosed to stomach)

 

[rhag1128]

I had mine taken out 8 years ago. Lapro style. Bile duct was full of stones. In to surgery at 9am I drove myself home at noon same day, only cause wife can't drive a stick.

Ice cream, Cheese and fried foods make me **** like a race horse now - But no pains

Randy