Contemplating NOT having suggested gallbladder surgery!

I have had severe upper right quadrant abdominal pain for several weeks that finally subsided in the past few days. In the meantime, I had an abdominal ultrasound that revealed a "mobile gallstone" and gallstone sludge. I was astounded because I eat a really healthy diet, exercise regularly and am not overweight. Also no family history of gallbladder disease. However, 4 years ago, my appendix ruptured after one day of pain and no history of appendicitis. I never want that kind of emergency again, as the peritonitis that ensued was horrendous and it took six months to get my digestion and regularity back online. Both my PCP and general surgeon have recommended elective cholecystectomy, which I have scheduled for next week, but I'm having second thoughts after only one (albeit prolonged) gallbladder attack. I'm afraid of the cure being worse than the disease. Has anyone had their gallbladder removed after only a short period of gallbladder pain? Thanks for any input!

Gallbladder sludge is the number one cause of acute pancreatitis. It actually caused me to have pancreatic atrophy. So my pancreas is no longer functional and I have to take enzymes derived from pigs every time I eat. Since I don't consume alcohol my gall bladder caused this. My doctor says that I've probably had pancreatitis many times. I recently had an ERCP done to do biopsies on my pancreas. Because gall bladder disease makes a person more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. All were good thank goodness but I'd had gall bladder disease and didn't know it probably for years. Pancreatitis just makes you ill. I always felt like I was fighting something just to rebound and then get ill again. I'd had gall bladder pain but they didn't know why because it was never found on a regular ultrasound. With that said I'm going to have my gall bladder removed in two days. I can't wait because I now know the root of many of my unexplained trips to the ER. I'm tired of being in pain and being sick. I don't have weight problems. I only eat food I prepare. I don't eat a lot of fat but I used to love the chocolate and my desert. I still have it but instead of chocolate cake it's fat free orange sherbet. Good luck to you. You can Google anything. I do a ton of research before I have anything done. I perfectly at peace with my decision and completely trust my doctor.

i had gallbladder removal five years ago...i didn't even know i needed it, however, i was having attacks of my pancreas and the doctor found that they were caused by my gallbladder.....well, he was right........Thank God no attacks from my pancreas in 5 years shortly after my surgery....and to beat everything, the surgery was easy peasy......i hope yours is as well....God bless and watch over you through the surgery and after.

Thank you so much for sharing and for the "easy peasy" comment! Love that! I have decided to go forward with surgery on Wednesday and am hoping for a similar easy experience. I'll let you know on the other side!

Gallbladder sludge is the number one cause of acute pancreatitis. It actually caused me to have pancreatic atrophy. So my pancreas is no longer functional and I have to take enzymes derived from pigs every time I eat. Since I don't consume alcohol my gall bladder caused this. My doctor says that I've probably had pancreatitis many times. I recently had an ERCP done to do biopsies on my pancreas. Because gall bladder disease makes a person more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. All were good thank goodness but I'd had gall bladder disease and didn't know it probably for years. Pancreatitis just makes you ill. I always felt like I was fighting something just to rebound and then get ill again. I'd had gall bladder pain but they didn't know why because it was never found on a regular ultrasound. With that said I'm going to have my gall bladder removed in two days. I can't wait because I now know the root of many of my unexplained trips to the ER. I'm tired of being in pain and being sick. I don't have weight problems. I only eat food I prepare. I don't eat a lot of fat but I used to love the chocolate and my desert. I still have it but instead of chocolate cake it's fat free orange sherbet. Good luck to you. You can Google anything. I do a ton of research before I have anything done. I perfectly at peace with my decision and completely trust my doctor.

I was hospitalized at least 5 times for pancreatitis until they did the gallbladder removal....I was always complaining of left-sided stomach pains = but way back when this started at least 40 years ago pancreatitis was not an "in thing" like it became in the last 10-20 years. The gastroenterologist that saw me in the hospital recommended that I see him to do ERCP, exactly what you had, but I felt better, so stupidly I never went back...This has been over 5 years now, however, I seem to have a "pinching" pain on my left side, not constant and not unbearable....I was tired of being hospitalized (last year was 2018) over 5 times so I just lay here in my bed because other illnesses and very low income cause that that's my life from 2019 on.....I hope and pray that someday I will be able to have my disabled son "fixed" and he can bring an income in for us......he has been out of work and out of pay since 2014....well, i want to leave on a more pleasant note saying I hope all of you, especially msmeinik are well and happy.....and hoping all troubles are gone!

I have had severe upper right quadrant abdominal pain for several weeks that finally subsided in the past few days. In the meantime, I had an abdominal ultrasound that revealed a "mobile gallstone" and gallstone sludge. I was astounded because I eat a really healthy diet, exercise regularly and am not overweight. Also no family history of gallbladder disease. However, 4 years ago, my appendix ruptured after one day of pain and no history of appendicitis. I never want that kind of emergency again, as the peritonitis that ensued was horrendous and it took six months to get my digestion and regularity back online. Both my PCP and general surgeon have recommended elective cholecystectomy, which I have scheduled for next week, but I'm having second thoughts after only one (albeit prolonged) gallbladder attack. I'm afraid of the cure being worse than the disease. Has anyone had their gallbladder removed after only a short period of gallbladder pain? Thanks for any input!

Thank you so much for sharing. I hope your surgery goes easily and smoothly, and this relieves your pancreatic symptoms. I have decided, after much googling and sitting with myself, to go forward with my surgery on Wednesday. I have implicit trust in my surgeon too. Trusting all will be well.

Are both you (msmelnick) and (wisewoman10) having surgery on the same day,, Wednesday, June 18th - or am I misreading the posts? In any case, I will be praying for everyone and especially, msmelnik and wisewoman10 thinking they will be having their gallbladders removed this coming Wednesday, June 18th...

Our surgery is a day apart! I'll be back as mine is today with an update on my progress. Good luck to wisewoman10.