Following an Ultrasound scan, it was identified that I have gallstones. I saw a surgeon yesterday who wants to take out the gall bladder. My pain is manageable at this stage and he has classed me as medium priority. My question is a simple one. Does anybody regret having the gall bladder taken out and why?
Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
Many thanks
Hi
I was admitted to A&E by ambulance as I was so ill. I thought my heart was the problem but in fact unbeknown to me, once I had a ct scan with fluid placed around the organs, a large stone was found!
I was unfortunately ill with my gallbladder and had an acute infection caused by my common bile duct being blocked with a large gallstone. I was being sick and wasn’t eating, had high temperature, brown wee.
Generally if you keep getting problems, they view the best solution is to remove both.
I am currently coming up to 7 weeks post op.
I had mine out last Aug, no stones but suspicious polyp. I had terrible bile acid diarrhoea for several months after the op and lost 10kg and I now have bile acid malabsorption which caused a load of trouble but since starting on Cholestyramine I'm more or less ok except that it stops me absorbing vitamins so I now have deficiencies. However the gb had to go so I have no regrets, just have to deal with the consequences !
My gallbladder was removed in 1988 after one horrendous episode. Never had an issue as a result - however my gastroenterologist in 2017 said I should have been considered as at risk for PSC further down the line...I had UC since childhood.
Hi. After having three ‘attacks’ of pain which resulted in pancreatitis because the stones were causing a blockage, they still didn’t take my gallbladder out. After the fourth attack, I begged them to take it away......the pain was unbearable. Have it out, before it gets to this. I have had absolutely no issues relating since. 👍
Every liver transplant patient on here is living without a gall bladder as it is removed during surgery so I can't imagine there is any hassle living without one and certainly better than waiting for it to be so sore it's unbearable or indeed infected and causing major health issues.
Surgeons don't talk about doing surgery unless they feel it absolutely necessary.
Katie
You make a very good point. I don't want to give the impression I am afraid of having my gall bladder taken out, although no operation is without risk. It is simply a matter of is it worth it if it is not badly affecting my quality of life so far? I am 75 with stage 4 prostate cancer and am 2 years into my supposed 5 years left to live. My surgeon estimates a wait of 9-12 months (there is a big waiting list due to Covid), although he would move me up the list if my problem got worse than it is now. So, I think the best policy is just to wait and see how I am when the time comes to discuss a definite date. If I feel OK, I will probably go through with it.
Thank you for your input.
18 years ago I spent 2 weeks in hospital in absolute agony, I was given morphine,diamorphine nothing touched the pain, couldn't keep any fluids in me, liver stopped working, kidneys stopped functioning all because I had 1 gallstone but it was stuck in my bile duct. And I had a 6 week old baby. I would never want to go through that again ,so yes I'm glad I had my gallbladder out, it has never effected me I don't have problems eating anything.Good luck
Hilary💚
Wow, you really went through it. So glad you have had no further problems since the operation.
No, I don't regret it. I had intermittent gallstone attacks for years and ended up with pancreatitis and in hospital for several days before having my gallbladder removed. I do not miss being in excruciating pain for hours on end with no warning, my only regret is that it was not removed sooner.
Thanks Deejay1952. This is why these groups are so useful. In just a few words you paint the picture perfectly. You have certainly made it clear what I need to do.
I’m also waiting to have gallbladder removed have a lot of stones really sick of being in pain and the gallbladder can’t work properly if it’s full of stones and I don’t want to get pancreatitis or any complications I honestly can’t wait to get it out !!! X
It'll be the best thing you ever do. I had mine removed in March after 10 months of constant pain. In the end it didn't matter what I ate or didn't eat it was just taking over my life, so I decided on private treatment as the NHS had stopped all elective surgery due to covid and I knew I couldn't go on much longer. You won't regret it.
Thanks KayCan. I am nowhere near the situation you were in. Of course, I might be by the time I get to the top of the list, but that another matter. Glad it all turned out well for you
I might be having mine out. The doctor told me I was a healthy 75 year old..and they could do it fairly easily without a big incision and if I waited perhaps when I was 85 and possibly in worse health and a sicker gallbladder I might have lots of trouble with surgery and recovery. That is the one thing that has convinced me I might do it. I have a scan scheduled for Thur. so they can see just exactly what is going on. I will decide after. had 3 attacks in as many weeks...while eating fairly healthy food. although the ice creammmmmmm haha.
Hi YogabonnieGood point about having the operation now rather than put it off and then find out there could be big complications. I'll buy that. Meantime, no eggs for me because that seems to be my trigger.
Many thanks.
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