Hi all:
I've been reading the boards for the last month now and I've noticed alot of people who continue to have trouble after having their GB removed.
I'm wondering if you had it to do again, would you get your GB removed?
I've been experiencing severe pain in my upper abdomen for over 1 month now. The pain becomes so severe, I can't catch my breath and it last for hours and hours. I went to the ER twice in the last month for this and they did 2 abdominal CT scans, both showed lung related trouble, but nothing with my GB or pancreas. Anyway, my pcp sent me for an ultrasound and I was told my GB was filled with small stones and according to my pcp, that is why I'm having this awful pain.
The thing that concerns me is whether it really is my GB because the pain is in the middle and on the right side, but, alot of the pain is on my left side(under my ribs). It feels like I have something stuck under my ribs on both sides, but, the left seems worse than the right at times. Also, I have alot of pain in my mid back, so I'm not sure if this is GB related or not?
Any ideas?

I have had what feels like heart pains on the LEFT side of my chest, just under the left breast, and just a tad below. Feels like a pinching sensation almost constantly. I finally asked the doctor to do the HIDA scan for the gallbladder. As it turns out my gallbladder ejection/fraction rate was 7%. This is almost not working. I am now scheduled to have my gallbladder removed this coming Monday. I'm a nervous wreck. I'm just in the hopes once my gallbladder is removed all this pain on the left goes away. Gallbladder is located on the right, but I never hurt on the right. I also very bad nausea, which I'm gulping down nausea pills as much as I can. I don't think gallbladder pain has to be located on the left. I did have an endoscope by the way and it indicated I have the H Pylori stomach infection also, that was treated with antibiotics but not sure it ever went away.

Ladybiker:
Thanks for the info...Do you have stones? Does your doc believe the pain on your left is due to your GB not functioning? Do you have pain in the back?
I'm very worried if I get my GB out that I'll continue to have these pains like so many others seem to have. Are you confident that your pain is from your GB?
Good luck on Monday, I truly wish you the best and good pain relief.

This is the scary thing. I've had the HIDA scan which showed 7% functioning, but I don't know if anyone has ever scanned for stones, not that I know of. It all started out about 6 months ago with chest pains, left. I went to cardiologist, who did all tests, nuclear stress test, EKG, etc. She said not the heart. As late as February this year I went back to her with the discomfort. Again, she tells me not a heart thing (she did another EKG). Well, I felt like an idiot, I shouldn't but I did. Finally decided it was time to see a gastro doctor. he did endoscope. Determined I had the H Pylori stomach infection, put me on 7 days antibiotics -- pains have just continued to get worse on left upper chest. I asked for the HIDA scan, and that was when the test came back 7%. I was referred to surgeon to have it out. He also says can't guarantee it will get rid of the pains. I don't have acid reflux or heartburn. I'm scared. I still can't help but wonder if it's my heart, but when I've gone to the cardiologist and had all the tests, I'm praying that removal of the gallbladder is the problem.

I did forget to mention yes, I do have pain in the back. Not all the time. But even right now, right in the upper middle of the back, sometimes it feels like a knot or a fist.

To answer your original question, absolutely would do it again! Thank goodness it's gone. My life is so much better.

Both my wife and I would have our gallbladders removed again.

You could be having referred pain to both sides of your liver when your gallbladder is not functioning right.
My wife's liver enzymes were about 10 times higher than normal during her last attack the day she had GB removed. She was in severe pain also around her rib cage.

Harry:
When you said your wife's liver enzymes were, "ten times higher than normal" the day she had her GB removed, did she go to the ER with pain and then get scheduled for surgery the same day?
I'm having severe pain for the past month and I'm waiting for an appt with a surgeon, but, I wonder if I go to the ER if they will do emergency surgery??
How long do you have to stay in the hospital after a GB removal?

The other thing that worries me is that I won't be able to have the laparscopic surgery because I've had 4 abdominal surgeries already. Does anyone know if that matters? I've had 3 classical C-sections(incision from the belly button down to the pubic bone-vertical) and my appendix removed(not lap-regular incision).

If they can't do the lap, how long do they usually keep you afterwards?

Thanks

Sammie,

We were admitted to the ER at 12: 45 am on 11/16 -- tests were run while in the ER-- blood tests, X-Rays and Gallbladder Ultrasound. The x- rays showed 5 stones about 1/2 inch in diameter but did not show the bile duct. The ultrasound test does show the duct but nothing was found there when tested at about 4:30am.

We decided that GB removal would be a wise choice. She was admitted to a room at 9 am and the first available room for surgery was at 8pm that night and the surgery was over at 9:25 pm and I talked to the Surgeon then.

He said -- that she may have to stay 2 or 3 days because it was not a normal surgery -- like coming for scheduled surgery.
Then next day when the Surgeon came in to check on her--- we talked and he was pleased with her progress --like getting up touse the bathroom, eat lightly and not nauseated -- so she was released to come home at 3 pm -- less than 18n hours after surgery. Her surgery was Laproscopic but she is not a young person!! We have been married for 51 years.

I think your surgery can be done Lapro because the incisions will be above the naval.
My wife has had an ovanian cyst/appendix surgery and also a historectomy operation below the naval.

I know of some people that have had GB removal and released that afternoon.

My wife ate lightly for about a week after surgery but has had no digestive problems since then over 3 months ago. She is doing fine -- no known problems in that area.

What i think is so amazing I never fixed a meal for her since the surgery. I do normally help at Thanksgiving & Christmas meals.

I hope this answers your questions!

God Bless---Harry

Sammiejoe
I have had several abd surg before(2 laps for endo and had a small tumor removed from right side). My doc explained that the scar tissue shouldn't cause him any problems. Hope this eases your mind. I am also very scared that he will be unable to do the surgery lap. I'm really unclear as to how they make this decision. All my doc said is that he "feels" that he won't have to make the larger incision.:confused:
Thanks
Jessica

I would have the surgery again, it was easy and recovery fast. As for the ongoing problems afterwards, I would rather have my gallbladder still intact!