Has anyone had gall bladder flareups, and surgery? I may be facing surgery, after 3 flareups in 3 months. Don't want surgery. If you have experience with gall bladder problems, I'd appreciate hearing about them, and about after effects of surgery. Thanks much.
Mine was done 35 years ago when it was still considered major surgery. I know several people who have had it done with the procedure bluedaze mentioned and it does seem fairly simple. Good luck.
I had gall bladder surgery done last year. It was done laproscopically and all I have to show for the surgery are about 4 little scars where the instruments were used. I had it done on an out patient basis. I went in for surgery in the morning and was out by early afternoon. I was a little sore for a few days but not bad. I only used pain pills the first day and after that advil (ibuprofen) worked fine. I had the surgery on a Tuesday and was able to drive by Thursday. The only restriction I had was not to lift anything heavy for about 15 days. My mom stayed with me for a couple of days. I really only needed her here for the first two days to do meals and keep an eye on my husband until I could move a little quicker.
I was warned before hand that there was a very slight possiblity it would not be able to be done laproscopically. That would have made recuperation a lot longer and harder, but I did have people in place to watch my husband if need be.
I can truly say that the pain from the attacks was WAY worse than the discomfort after the surgery.
I had laparoscopic gallbladder surgery last year as well. As a matter of fact, I had it right before Christmas. My surgery was like Deb's but I stayed in the hospital overnight, so I was in a little over 24 hours. Everything Deb says above is what I experienced. I have the same little scars. I hardly knew I had the operation, but, like Deb, was told there was a slight chance it could not be done laparoscopically. I feel great. No more pain episodes. No more extreme bouts of nausea. My family pushed me to get the surgery done, and I'm glad I did.
I had the surgery a few years ago. It was basically the same as Deb's and Bev's. Mine was out-patient surgery. There really wasn't much pain afterwards. I was able to do pretty much what I wanted within a couple of days.
Thanks so much for your good words of encouragement. I had a colon resection several years ago, and I've struggled since with controlling the diarrhea. It's improved some. But, I've learned that diarrhea can be one of the side effects of gallbladder removal, and that it is hard to get rid of and deal with. Have any of you had that problem? That is my main concern with this.
My only problem was wearing my "old lady" panties. I had to send daughter out to buy some new bikini style ones. Wardrobe needed updating anyway. Seriously they were more comfortable. Surgery was a piece of cake.
After I had mine I had the severe diahrrea only after eating certain foods, mainly grits and spicy food such as sausage. Eventually it sunk in to give those foods up was easier than running to the bathroom or having an unexpected accident. Otherwise it was a very easy surgery. Good luck.
I had my gall bladder out two years ago. I never knew that I had gall bladder problems. I had an attack which put me on the floor and I thought it was a heart attack - went to the ER and it was gall bladder. The doctor said that it was extremely infected, had lots of scars from previous attacks and that it took him an hour longer to do the surgery not to spill the infection in my gut. I also had the laproscopy and no problems. I have always had diarhea and it is no worse after the surgery. He said that the infection would have made me seriously ill if I didn't have it out. The doctor insisted on giving me pain pills to have at home, I resisted, but got them anyhow - never needed to take them. I am a very big chicken when it comes to medical procedures, so this was ok.
Hanging on, the main reason the operation can't be done laparoscopically is if there are adhesions in the abdomen from previous surgery. Your previous colon resection could present problems, but not necessarily. You should discuss this with the doctor.
Have any of you tried taking probiotics? Since my hb had surgery for his GERDS, diarrhea is a major problem - he is often on the pot within a half hour. He wont' take them but when I do give him the probiotics or just papaya enzymes, it seems to help.
Charlotte, yes, I am including probiotics in my daily regimen. I do think it helps to do this, in calming the diarrhea. I'm trying the Phillips Colon Health Probiotic Plus Fiber we see advertised on TV. This is my second day of that.
Other things I've tried: Nature's Plus Maximum Strength Ultra-Zyme. It's in a yellow bottle at the health food store. I take this when I've had a meal with food I shouldn't eat. I think of everything I've tried, this one has helped the most.
Another to try is Metamucil Fiber Wafers. found at Walmart in the pharmacy section. There are two wafers in a package. Drink at least 8 oz of water with them.
Then another to try is Align Probiotic Supplement.
I'm still mixing and matching. When I had the colon re-section, the gastrointestinal doctor, and the surgeon, told me to take the Metamucil Wafers to stop the diarrhea. They haven't stopped it, but they slow it down.
A typical set I take each morning is: One package of Metamucil Wafers, Apple flavor, 2 wafers in a package, with at least 8 oz. of liquid. I use more liquid than that, just to be sure. I also take a good multi-vit, and one of the above probiotic products. Or, instead of a probiotic product, I take one of those Nature's Plus Ultra-Zyme tablets.
I'm still experimenting, but things have improved some. I stll get diarrhea, but the gastro doctor said this is because I'm missing the right side of my colon, taken during the colon-resection.
HanginOn-have you tried http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2002/05/27/archway-coconut/ Archway coconut cookies. They are recommended by the folks on People's Pharmacy
My hb has never been one big on fiber. When I was reading about the GERDS surgery he had, they actually say afterward not to eat a lot of fiber as it will cause diarrhea. My hb was never told that but when he had it in the 90s it was still considered experimental. We had to fight hard to get insurance to cover it but the antacid drugs were doing zippo.