Has Anyone Had Successful Gall Bladder Surgery? - Gallbladder Message Board

Zialady · 02-11-2007, 05:35 PM

Hi.

I am looking at possible gall bladder surgery in my near future. I have read SO much about people having the same symptoms after surgery as before that I'm wondering if I should even go through with it.

I haven't had the tests done yet, but my doctor agrees that it's probably my gall bladder and she automatically said it would have to come out.

Right now I'm on a VERY strict diet to prevent attacks. Any little mistake and it's attack city. So I have to be really careful. I don't want to go the rest of my life like this. I don't mind a low-fat diet, but I really want to be able to have Mexican food now and then...

What I'm wondering is:
- Is there a way to heal a failing gall bladder? Or once it "goes bad" is it over?

- If I do a cleanse (see below) and the stones and sludge come out, with the little feller perk back up and start working right again?

- Has anyone out there had there gall bladder removed and everything is now pretty wonderful?

- If I have an ultrasound and they find stones, can they blast them into smitherines?

- Has anyone ever done a gall bladder cleanse with olive oil and lemon juice?

Thanks SO much for any information you might have.

zia

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Titchou · 02-11-2007, 07:25 PM

I've had mine removed with no complications - two years out now. Yes, you can do the cleanse and perhaps get rid of all the stones. BUT, you can't get rid of the damage they have done to the gallbladder. No, it won't heal itself.
If it is damaged or diseased, it's just going to get worse...even with the stones gone because they can come back...and they you will be all over again.

If it's not stones but a low ejection rate (found from a HIDA scan), that won;t
get better either. It will just continue to decline.

In my estimation, a cleanse would be a temporary fix - if it worked. Then you never know when you'll have an attack that will send you to ER and emergency surgery. And you don't want to end up in that position...at least I didn't want to. I considered all the options and had it out. NEVER a moment when I haven't been glad I did.

*Versailles* · 02-11-2007, 08:30 PM

Zialady,

I had my gallbladder out about two years ago. I was miserable before I got it out. After waking up from the surgery, I noticed an immediate difference. I did have some diarrhea off and on for a couple months, but my digestive system has relearned how to digest without the gallbladder and is doing well. I have no pain under my ribs anymore, very rarely do I have heartburn/nausea/indigestion (rarely as in less than two days out of a month).

My surgery was VERY successful!

Good luck and best wishes!
-Vers

rsbird · 02-12-2007, 01:27 AM

I feel wonderful. However i had no stones, just a diseased (sp) gallbladder. I had been suffering with the pain for at least 3 years on and off, last year was the worst. To the point you don't think you'll make it through another episode.
I had an extremely succesfull removal. Onto normal foods (not takeaways!) within a week. I was amazed at how different I felt. (still am now!)
My scars have almost gone - op was only November 06, and I have my life back. I've put some weight back on, have more energy, and look as healthy as I feel.

Zialady · 02-12-2007, 06:24 AM

Thank you all for your informative answers! It gives me hope.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsbird

Onto normal foods (not takeaways!) within a week.

I'm not sure what you mean by "takeaways".

I was also wondering if you all feel that your diet contributes to how well you're doing. I've heard a lo-fat diet is essential after this surgery pretty much forever. And I'm wondering if you feel that you're doing so well because of your diet or if success, post-surgery is just a hit and miss thing.

All information is greatly appreciated! Thanks for taking the time to answer me and put my mind at ease!