I'm gallbladder-less now...

[RitaZ.]

I asked the surgeon if there are any restrictions on my diet, he said there weren't any. I was on a clear liquid diet for two days at the hospital. I ate the chicken and mashed potatoes and tolerated them well.

Jenn~ For me, it all just came out of nowhere. I'm not overweight and haven't lost weight suddenly; these are two possible causes. I haven't had problems with heartburn or indigestion in the past. My friend lost over 25 lbs on WW very quickly, then began having problems with her gallbladder; which she eventually had removed.

This is what happened to me: I ate a light dinner; a sandwich and watermelon. Two hours later, I developed what I thought was gas under my right rib cage. The pain quickly increased and then the vomiting began. I went to the ER about 1 hr. after the onset and felt even worse once there. The pain was localized under my right rib cage and the area felt tender. I was given meds for the pain and nausea, but continued vomiting. I had an ultrasound and x-ray which confirmed the stones and edema. We called our family doctor from the hospital and asked him for his opinion on the surgeon that was recommended to me. He gave us a thumbs up on the surgeon and I decided not to seek a second opinion. Once you start having problems with your gallbladder, it's best to have it removed.

 

[Laurajean1014]

For those of us still with a gallbladder, what are the symptoms you ladies experienced that sent you to the ER?

Now I am the exception. I had no pain or discomfort whatsoever. Every 3-5 years, I get a full exam (upper GI, pulmonary and heart along with full blood work and a regular exam). During the ultrasound for the upper GI, they found the stones. I had three (one the size of a ping pong ball)! The doc was amazed that I didn't have pain (I did remind him that I may be impervious to the pain since I've been married for 17 years)!

So, I would recommend a thorough examination every 3-5 years. I stopped myself from having to go through the pain and suffering that many talk about on this thread.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Glad surgery was a walk in the park and you're feeling better already! Hope it continues rapidly!

School already? Wow! Seems early this year.

 

[MareQ]

The only way I could describe it to the doctor, was "I think there is an elephant sitting on my chest". It was a horrible tightening feeling in my chest (which made me think I was having a heart attack at 33), combined with horrible back pain, throw in some vomiting----voila! a gallbladder attack.

Some of my worst attacks were worse than labor pains.

Yup - I had undiagnosed gallbladder attacks for 7 years. I was 21 when I had my first one and 28 when I had my gallbladder removed. They went undiagnosed because nobody (except for my primary physician) believed it was my gallbladder. Every attack I had - I went to the ER - the dopes would give me Maalox and 7 hours later when I felt better they would tell me it was gas @@ (can we say morons???)

I was in AGONY every time - vomiting - I made to feel like I was over-reacting and that I had a low pain tolerance. 7 years of that crap and by the time they finally took it out I was in serious shape because my common bile duct had been blocked for quite some time and was affecting my liver.

I am fine and dandy now though - best surgery ever -

 

[Micca]

Consider yourself lucky. Gall bladders are the next to be banned by airlines.

 

[llij]

Consider yourself lucky. Gall bladders are the next to be banned by airlines.

My symptoms were a sharp stabbing pain in my lower right ribcage. I also experienced pain in my shoulder. I would have mini attacks right after I ate and it just got worse and worse until I went to the doctor. Since I had just given birth to my daughter, I thought it was something to do with that but my doctor immediately suspected my gallbladder. He was so right!

Oh, and I was one of those lucky ones that had to watch what I ate for a long time! Anything could trigger an 'emergency' trip to the restroom. It is a lot better today, but I still need to watch what I eat since every once in awhile I am sent running.

 

[goofyforlife]

I was in serious shape because my common bile duct had been blocked for quite some time and was affecting my liver.

Did you get yellow eyes? Mine were that way for about two-three days before surgery.

 

[Alice28]

For those of us still with a gallbladder, what are the symptoms you ladies experienced that sent you to the ER?

I also had that feeling that an elephant was sitting on my chest. I couldn't catch my breath and I too thought I was having a heart attack at 31. But when I laid down, it went away (the stone would roll). Then my urine started turning dark yellow, then orange and that's when I called the doctor. I had no stabbing pain though, nor vomiting.

I do remember I ate a bunch of super greasy chips the day before my symptoms began- I wonder if that sent my gall bladder into overload and popped a stone out.

I had a stone blocking a bile duct to my liver (hence orange urine) and they did a scope surgery down my throat for that one; then I had the laproscopic surgery the next day. The doctor said it was one of the strangest presentations of gall bladder disease he had seen in his 25 years. (because I had no pain in the gall bladder region until he pressed hard on it).

I too had GB problems after the birth of my children (well, 2 of them anyway).

 

[RitaZ.]

I think this recovery is starting to make me and I'm not even taking narcotics for the pain. I took a nap this afternoon and I had a glorious dream... I was in NYC (that wasn't the great part) with Orlando Bloom.

I decided to do a search for pics of gall stones. Well, let's just say that I wish I hadn't. OMG! I almost puked!!!

Sandy, the kids actually started one week later than they did last year.

 

[goofyforlife]

I decided to do a search for pics of gall stones. Well, let's just say that I wish I hadn't. OMG! I almost puked!!!

Yeah they are pretty gross.... My DM had to have her GB out when she was 32. (i was pretty young then but i can remember going to visit her in the hospital and her getting to keep her stones.) They were about the size of a marble.

I think they said that my GB was just full of many little stones. I referred to them as "The 7 dwarfs". They don't let you keep stuff anymore.... (i couldn't even get my wisdom tooth to take home 2 yrs ago when i had two of them taken out.)

 

[deno2]

Count me in on the gallbladderless club. I had an attack while driving down I-75, ended up laying in a ditch until the pain passed, (I thought I was dying the pain was excruiating). When my gallbladder was removed they found three stones that were the size of jumbo olives. My belly button scare is larger than most people have, (1 1/2" below my belly button) because they couldn't get the gallbladder out, (sorry to gross anyone out).
I had it removed 3 years ago and there are still come foods that I simple can no longer eat, (raw onions, green peppers most dairy).
Speedy recovery to you! You'll feel like your old self in 2 weeks. Don't push it too soon - it's not worth extending your recovery time.
deno