Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
I have been having "flu" like symptoms for about a week. I went to my doctor and she ordered a ultrasound, as she said it sounded like gallbladder problems. I had my ultrasound done on Monday and was told I have a gallstone, 2.5cm, and a cyst on either my liver or kidney. I'm scared. My primary care provider called me and said I had the gallstone and referred me to a surgeon. I'm confused as to why I wasn't sent to see a gastroenterologist first. That is bothering me. Also, she never mentioned the find of the cyst. The doctor who was on call that seen me and ordered the ultrasound called me on Tuesday and informed me of the gallstone and the cyst. Of course, now I'm freaking out. She suggested that I go for a CT scan. When I told her I was already scheduled to see the surgeon per my primary doctor she said ok, follow with that. So, now I"m scared to death that it's something more. I'm worrying myself sicker. Please, if anyone can shed some light on my concerns, I would greatly appreciate them! Thanks!
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
I don't see where going to a gastro is going to change anything. You have a gallstone. The gb needs to come out as a result. Most folks never go to a gastro. Their internist sends them for the u/s based on symptoms. Test comes back positive. Go to surgeon. That's what I did and it was fine. Had it out and all is well 7 years later.
Don't really know exactly what has you worried. Cysts and polyps on the gb are common also...just like stones. Just have it out and be done with it. Too much procrastinating will just make it worse...it could be very damaged, get infected and rupture. Save yourself that worry and see the surgeon.
The Following User Says Thank You to Titchou For This Useful Post: knausmomof3 (01-29-2012)
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
Hiya,
You are in a better position than most. I agree totally with the previous poster, what do you expect to achieve by going to a GI?
Personally, I would be over the moon to have answers so quickly and have the problem rectified. Especially if you have only been having symptoms for a week.
Good luck with what you decide.
Pixie
The Following User Says Thank You to pixiehickies For This Useful Post: knausmomof3 (01-29-2012)
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
Given that you were undergoing ultrasound of the gallbladder it is very likely that they found the cyst in your liver. About 5% of the population have these benign cysts in their liver.
Most of the time they do not cause symptoms or problems and are found incidentally as part of ultrasounds and CT scans. That is how I found out that I have a liver cyst. They did a series of CT scans to insure that it was benign, in a few cases they may do a needle biopsy.
It would probably be appropriate to have a CT scan whether it is before/after your gallbladder surgery is something you will want to discuss with your doctor. As always you have choices in your medical provider, if they are not listening to you, fire them and find another.
The Following User Says Thank You to Collector167 For This Useful Post: knausmomof3 (01-29-2012)
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
A gastroenterologist can't do anything for a gallstone that is an inch in diameter. It is too late for that. You see the GI docs to help prevent that....not after the fact. That stone is way too big to get out by itself so surgery is the only way to remove it and unfortunately, the gallbladder has to come out with it.
Cysts form all over the place and are generally not a problem so don't worry. That can be looked at after you get that huge stone out of there.
You don't need a GI doc....you need a surgeon.
Jenny(rid of gallbladder and happy!)
The Following User Says Thank You to jennybyc For This Useful Post: knausmomof3 (01-29-2012)
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
Thanks everyone for your insights! I'm still nervous, more about the cyst than the surgery. However, anesthetic is what scares me most, I think! I meet with the surgeon on Tuesday and hope to have more answers! I'll keep everyone posted.
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
the cyst is the least of your problems. It won't cause the gb to rupture - the stone can. And let me tell you - best nap I ever had! Was out only 40 minutes - start to awake in recovery so it was a breeze. Easier than tonsils, foot surgeries, etc....
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
I wish my ultrasound would've shown gallstones so I wouldn't have to go get the HIDA scan next week. But I think because of my size (I'm pretty overweight) it was hard to really see anything with the ultrasound.
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
My best advice: BE PERSISTENT!!! My gallbladder was the least of my problems. I found out by being persistent and seeing about 11 different doctors that my "liver cyst" wasn't a liver cyst after all. It was on my adrenal gland. I had doctors who just wanted to leave it, I had some you just wanted to drain it. I finally found a specialist out of my area and asked for his opinion. He did lots of tests and told me it was a good thing I just didn't let someone else "experiment" with it. An adrenal gland cyst is very rare and can be deadly. Lucky for me, mine wasn't. I had surgery to remove the gallbladder and the cyst on April 3rd. I feel soooo much better. I only had 1 day in the hospital and about a week of home recovery.
I hope you get some answers soon! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all!
Re: Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist
Thank you, I'm still waiting. I have chronic kidney disease, and they had to take blood to check my kidney before they give me any contrast. But I will be persistent every step of the way.
Gallbladder surgery without seeing a gastroenterologist 
