My son is 34 and may need gall bladder removal.

Posted by gloriaann @gloriaann, Jun 12 9:19pm

Pros and cons to having your gall bladder removed.

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Profile picture for gloriaann @gloriaann

@linda82 He has had a few "gall bladder attacks". His stool gets pasty white for awhile. Just doesnt feel the greatest. Hida scan is next. No stones seen on US. Thank you.

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@gloriaann My Lord! If he already had three attacks, why didn't they do surgery. Three nights prior in a row I had severe pain, chills, diarrhea, vomiting. But once I get up and walked around it was gone and until the 4th night it always happened around 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. The pain was in in the credible. I've never experienced anything like that before. Much much worse than childbirth. I wouldn't wait to have another attack and though it's so strange is that I didn't get any pain up by the gallbladder or in it or in my back it was all below my navel going all the way around my back and then when I went into the hospital they did ultrasound and pressed around the area of the gallbladder. It still didn't hurt but then when they took it out it had a stone in there that took up 70% of the gallbladder. Please do not wait to have another attack. If if so change doctors and the after effects afterwards is really not worth it. Get it done now. I know several people that he had a hidascan and they had theirs taken out And glad that they did cuz once they removed a friend's it was completely blown up and white

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Profile picture for gloriaann @gloriaann

I see so many comments on diarrhea the rest of their lives and still having pain and cannot eat normal. He's getting a Hida scan soon. they didnt see stones but he has occas attacks. thank you

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@gloriaann one thing to always keep in mind is that people who have no complications don't usually post on support websites, so it can be squewed to the negative.

I would suggest talking to the GI or surgeon and ask them what percentage of their patients have a negative outcome such as you describe.

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Profile picture for Susan F, Volunteer Mentor @susanf8

@gloriaann one thing to always keep in mind is that people who have no complications don't usually post on support websites, so it can be squewed to the negative.

I would suggest talking to the GI or surgeon and ask them what percentage of their patients have a negative outcome such as you describe.

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@susanf8 Very true. My sister and her middle daughter have both had theirs removed in their 30’s. No problems whatsoever.

I had to have mine removed in my 50’s as part of appendix cancer debulking surgery.

I now just need to be careful about what I eat given I no longer have bile stored in my gall bladder to help with the digestion process. It’s amazing how the body adapts to provide bile in a different way. Not as good as with a gall bladder but we still get bile.

I do wonder if perhaps those who do suffer from frequent diarrhoea after gall bladder removal might find changing their diets helpful? I followed advice such as this:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cholecystectomy/expert-answers/gallbladder-removal-diet/faq-20057813

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Had mine out in my 50's after an excrutiating attack. Easy, no complications. Gallbladder was absolutely full of stones. Have never even noticed that my gallbladder is gone.

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Profile picture for gloriaann @gloriaann

I see so many comments on diarrhea the rest of their lives and still having pain and cannot eat normal. He's getting a Hida scan soon. they didnt see stones but he has occas attacks. thank you

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@gloriaann Does he use Ozempic? I just did a HIDA because of whiteish poop and high liver enzymes Slow gallbladders my ejection was 40. Got better, kept my G B. good vibes

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No . He was on PPi for gerd for 20 years.

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I had mine out after a severe attack at around age 40. I've never noticed it missing after the initial recovery, which was fairly short.

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Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

I had mine out after a severe attack at around age 40. I've never noticed it missing after the initial recovery, which was fairly short.

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@lisalucier Hi Lisa, I have been on a no or very low-fat diet for 2 weeks now. I thought it will help until my surgery. I have had some episodes loose stools and trying to keep fiber intake up.
I understand that you need to stay on that diet after surgery for a bit for the liver to adjust.
I am curious how long for your diet to go back to normal and your intake of fat.

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Profile picture for linda82 @linda82

@lisalucier Hi Lisa, I have been on a no or very low-fat diet for 2 weeks now. I thought it will help until my surgery. I have had some episodes loose stools and trying to keep fiber intake up.
I understand that you need to stay on that diet after surgery for a bit for the liver to adjust.
I am curious how long for your diet to go back to normal and your intake of fat.

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@linda82 - I don't really remember any diet restrictions postsurgically, except while recovering from the anesthesia. I don't recall having any trouble with any particular foods.

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