Pro's & Con's of Gallbladder Surgery? - Gallbladder Message Board

Blue_Streak · 03-12-2005, 03:36 PM

I have to make a decision within the next week or two whether to go ahead, or not, with gallbladder surgery. I am looking for others experiences...of the good & bad of doing this. And please be brutally honest whether you feel it was worth it or not...are the after effects of living without a gallbladder, worth the pain relief of the attacks?

My husband would like me to try just a gallbladder cleanse at this point, but I'm at the point I not at all sure what to do...as I'm tried of hurting all the time.

I have all the symptoms, but all tests have come back normal. They only saw a 4mm polyp in my gallbladder, no stones....

Thanks to everyone for the previous replies... This is the best board I'v come across.

Thanks VERY much in advance,
Heather

anon2239 · 03-12-2005, 04:57 PM

Hate to say this but if I had the opportunity to go back in time to last July I would have tried the cleanser. I had all kinds of problems and am still having problems. But no one can really decide but you. Best wishes!

Sandra

mom9302 · 03-12-2005, 05:02 PM

I had my gallbladder removed 6 years ago at the age of 24 because I HAD to it had ruptured. I had no complications and was up and walking the next day. I had an 11 day hospital stay though because I had peritinitous(sp) which is an infection of the blood from the rupture. It is surgery but I would do it all over again. I had no after pain and the next day I felt tired but I would of went home if it wasn't for the infection. Good Luck and make sure you have a doctor YOU feel comfortable with this will make it easier.

spongebobgamma · 03-12-2005, 11:43 PM

Blue streak Im going though the same thing right now. You can read my story under the thread of right sided pain people and all the tests I had. I was finally told the gallbladder needs to come out. My ultrasound was ok of the gallbladder but the hida scan showed it only functioning at 17%. But I have polycystic liver and kidney disease so I worry that its the liver causing the pain and I have the gallbladder out for no reason. I also thought of doing the cleanse,, Im alittle worried incase it makes the pain worse. But if I knew it took care of the problem without surgery I would do it..Have you had the hida scan done? But like you Im proberly going to have the surgery and hope to end the pain.

Mom can you tell us your symptoms of your gallbladder rupture and what your were going though before that? Thats one of things I've thought about in putting off this surgery. Glad to hear your doing good now..

Blue_Streak · 03-13-2005, 08:00 AM

Hi spongebobgamma,
Sorry to hear of your pain, it's sure no fun. I worry about my liver as well...& just had a scare with my right kidney--they found two cysts a month ago on a cat-scan. One looked bad, but second CT a week ago showed it to also be a simple cyst. My Hida came back at 67%... Been having some severe pain on my left side below rib...shoots straight through to my back. So am worried it's something more then just my gallbladder. Have you had any weird referred pain like this? I have chest & back pain as well...feel like a total mess...

Take care & feel better soon,
Heather