So, anyone here have their Gall Bladder out?

[Kugzilla]

My wife is currently laid up in the hospital and has to have her Gall Bladder out, as it produced some stones and is mucking up the works.

A lot of people I work with have family member that have gone through this-anyone here?

Serious replies only...please. No "good luck bro's" if possible would be great.

[Cunt Smasher]

Wife had it done,quick recovery and zero problems as I recall.Not a big deal.

[THE FEZ MAN]

my wife had it done. two three weeks, and she was back to normal, but she did have to go in and have the tube down her throte again

[Kugzilla]

what tube?

[thelord68]

what tube?

I guess he forgot the second part ...steak

[tstlkevanilla]

Not trying to be a wiseass here.. but what does a gall bladder actually do? I know I know.. I could google it, but it's 5 in the morning.. I'd rather read Wackbag.

edit: who am I kidding.. I'd rather read Wackbag all day long.. doesn't matter what time it is.

[thegreenninja]

If I remember correctly, it manufactures much of the gastric enzymes (bile) responsible for the emulsification of lipids at the top of the small intestine, in conjunction with the pancreas.

Oh, yeah, this is Wackbag.
It digests stuff

[sknight]

The gall bladder manufactures nothing. It is only a storage organ for bile produced in the liver. Bile is not an enzymatic agent, but an emulsifying agent.

[Trainable J]

My wife had her spleen removed a few years ago. While they were in there, the gall bladder looked a little funk, so they yanked it out too. She a little longer recovery simply because her spleen was so big it had attached itself to her rib wall and they had to scrape it off, thus bruising her ribs and muscles. See if the doc can do it laproscopically. My wife has 5 small scars on her belly instead of the stem to stern gash that usually happens.

[Sinn Fein]

My wife used to have gall bladder attacks. They never deemed it bad enough to necessitate removing it. Last one was so bad she thought she was dying and made me take her to the emergency room.

That was over a year ago. I don't think she gets them anymore.

[abudabit]

Good luck, sis.

[taban]

my father had his removed a few months ago after some serious and almost fatal problems in his stomach. he recovered extremely quickly and the wounds healed very fast too, i was impressed

[Kugzilla]

Good luck, sis.

Not sure if that's a dick comment or clever. I'll get back to you.

They are taking it out laproscopically tomrrow morning and she could be home as early as tomorrow afternoon. We have to make some changes in our meals and stuff but other than that, there should be no real lasting issues.

Thank to everyone for their input.

[Ballbuster1]

They are taking it out laproscopically tomorrow morning and she could be home as early as tomorrow afternoon. We have to make some changes in our meals and stuff but other than that, there should be no real lasting issues.

My wife had her's removed that way and the recovery time was very quick.
The incisions were very small and she has been fine ever since.
I'm sure your wife will be fine. Best wishes to both of you.

[cigarsandscotch]

My grandmother had hers taken out laporoscopically 2 years ago at the age of 81. 3 days later she had everyone over to her house to host Thanksgiving. She bounced back very easily. It shouldn't be a big deal.

[BJQueen]

My hubby had his removed. He was sore after surgery and for a few days after - the bloating of the stomach is the worst part (after surgery, she will have to keep moving to work out gas bubbles). She should be fine.

[Rich W.]

Both Me & Jane have had ours taken out...piece of cake

[Monstercloud]

My mom got her's taken out a couple months ago for the same reason. I don't remember exactly how long it took her to recover back to normal, but it couldn't of been much longer than a week. And from word of mouth, the air they pump into you can be rather uncomfortable.

[Hudson]

not sure if you notice smell or not, but my ex got hers removed and her odor changed....

[tstlkevanilla]

not sure if you notice smell or not, but my ex got hers removed and her odor changed....
:martianvirus:

[Hudson]

Her, well, standard smell became more food odor additive when she sweated...while not a scientific study we did experiment...
We got results from:
Cocoa
Onions
Garlic
Cinnamon
Cloves
Dandy Lion Greens
Green Tea
Earl Grey Tea
Ooolong Tea

[Chin nuts]

Hey Kugs hope all works out well for you and your wife.

It seems that from the previous posts that the gall bladder is a storage bag nothing else. Do you need to change diet if it's removed? Is diet the main cause of it's removal in the first place? Just curious.

[Hudson]

Yes from what I know...red meats end up in a horrible display of anal seepage

[Sinn Fein]

Best of luck.

[tellmfredwhowho]

I had mine out three years ago. Prior to having it removed if I were to get an attack, it was the worst pain I've experienced. I would be rolled up in a ball for 6-10 hours in pain and there was nothing I could do to help it go away faster. I decided that I had enough when I was in pain for 11 hours in my last attack. I was scheduled for the surgery 3 weeks later.

The risk is that they eventough you are going in for the easy (laparoscopic), you might still end up with the big scar if they cannot get to the gallbladder through your belly button. I went in the O.R. at 10am and was home by 7pm. Not much pain afterwards, you just have to worry about a hernia where they made the small incisions and not to get an infection on them. If you have it done the old fasion way, I hear the recovery is longer and much more painful.

The only changes I've noticed is if I decide to eat fatty foods, I need to be close to a terlet or you may get skid marks due to leakage. Other than that, its been 3 years of never having that awful pain when the attack occured.

[Sinn Fein]

Yes from what I know...red meats end up in a horrible display of anal seepage

Thanks for ths visual...

[Kugzilla]

I can't thank you all enough for the input-well, I could, but I'm not going to. Thank you all.

Gall bladder removed this morning-doc brought me pics in the waiting room-he must have read me as a guy that would dig the pic of my wifes gall bladder in a ziploc bag deep in her belly...I can't imagine he shows that to everyone...

they kept her tonight and if all is well, she's home tomorrow...burping like a champ...thanks again wackbag!

[Rumrunner]

I can't thank you all enough for the input-well, I could, but I'm not going to. Thank you all.

Gall bladder removed this morning-doc brought me pics in the waiting room-he must have read me as a guy that would dig the pic of my wifes gall bladder in a ziploc bag deep in her belly...I can't imagine he shows that to everyone...

they kept her tonight and if all is well, she's home tomorrow...burping like a champ...thanks again wackbag!

Glad to hear she is doing well, I'm getting my gall bladder out on Monday (laparoscopically as well), can I make it to a party by Saturday and actually drink? Curious about the recovery, how's it going? sounds like some people recover quickly.

[CM Mark]

I had mine out a little over a year ago. Mine had actually exploded from the size of the stones. I had gone into the hospital on a sunday, monday i had to have a stent put in my gall bladder in the tube to the intenstine as they removed the stones. then on tuesday night I was brought down to the ER and the gall bladder was removed. When I woke up I had this hand grenade shaped bulb hanging out of my stomache collecting blood and pus that was oozing out of where my gall bladder had been. That night I shat myself in the hospital bed. The next morning the surgeon told me that was actually a good thing. She told me that I was going to be held in the hospital until I farted. Yes, they wouldn't let me leave until I started farting. Late that night I started ripping loud and nasty farts. Thankfully I didn't have a room mate that night. Then thursday morning the surgeon came back and said that I could leave that morning. She proceded to rip that bulb thing out putting me through horrendous pain.


Then a month or so later I had to go back in and have the stent removed.

Oh, and a few weeks after that my mom had to go in and have her gall bladder removed. But there was more to her story and she actually came close to dying a few times in her numerous stays in the hospital for her whole thing.

[PCLoadLetter]

I had mine out ten years ago after a single attack. Basically the doctor(s) said that if you make stones once, you WILL make them again, and that's that. I seem to recall that less than one week after the initial attack I was home from the hospital. The recovery was no big deal, just some soreness and such, and ten years on there are no ill effects... I can, and do, eat whatever I want, when I want, and I never really noticed any difference between pre and post-op doo-doos. :)

The upside of all this for me was the hot ER nurse that I hooked up with while I was a patient and dated for a while after I got out. She finally got wise and hooked up with an ambulance driver instead, dumping me via EMAIL. This doesn't sound all that impressive in the context of 2007, but a "Dear John Letter" via email in 1997 was quite a novelty.

[Rumrunner]

I had mine out a little over a year ago. Mine had actually exploded from the size of the stones. I had gone into the hospital on a sunday, monday i had to have a stent put in my gall bladder in the tube to the intenstine as they removed the stones. then on tuesday night I was brought down to the ER and the gall bladder was removed. When I woke up I had this hand grenade shaped bulb hanging out of my stomache collecting blood and pus that was oozing out of where my gall bladder had been. That night I shat myself in the hospital bed. The next morning the surgeon told me that was actually a good thing. She told me that I was going to be held in the hospital until I farted. Yes, they wouldn't let me leave until I started farting. Late that night I started ripping loud and nasty farts. Thankfully I didn't have a room mate that night. Then thursday morning the surgeon came back and said that I could leave that morning. She proceded to rip that bulb thing out putting me through horrendous pain.


Then a month or so later I had to go back in and have the stent removed.

Oh, and a few weeks after that my mom had to go in and have her gall bladder removed. But there was more to her story and she actually came close to dying a few times in her numerous stays in the hospital for her whole thing.

wow, that sounds awful, hope you or your mom don't have any more hospital stays. My hospital history is just 2 c-sections. My mom had her gall bladder out too in an emergency situation, mine is scheduled for it to be done laparoscopically, which iis supposed to be a faster recovery. The emergency gall bladder surgery is quite horrific. How have you been since, any changes in diet?

[Rumrunner]

I had mine out ten years ago after a single attack. Basically the doctor(s) said that if you make stones once, you WILL make them again, and that's that. I seem to recall that less than one week after the initial attack I was home from the hospital. The recovery was no big deal, just some soreness and such, and ten years on there are no ill effects... I can, and do, eat whatever I want, when I want, and I never really noticed any difference between pre and post-op doo-doos. :)

The upside of all this for me was the hot ER nurse that I hooked up with while I was a patient and dated for a while after I got out. She finally got wise and hooked up with an ambulance driver instead, dumping me via EMAIL. This doesn't sound all that impressive in the context of 2007, but a "Dear John Letter" via email in 1997 was quite a novelty.

I feel better with your post :) .. I went to a tech school and we had vax/email set up in the dorms in 92, so I actually got one of those as well, I should've printed it out to show to the kids

[CM Mark]

wow, that sounds awful, hope you or your mom don't have any more hospital stays. My hospital history is just 2 c-sections. My mom had her gall bladder out too in an emergency situation, mine is scheduled for it to be done laparoscopically, which iis supposed to be a faster recovery. The emergency gall bladder surgery is quite horrific. How have you been since, any changes in diet?

Both of ours were done laproscopically. It was a fast recovery, but slow considering what I am reading from others here.

My mom's near death situations weren't directly connected to her gall bladder. They were conected to pancreatitus (I know I can't spell, fucking deal with it) that made her fucked up gall bladder situation a little more precarious. They couldn't take it out until her pancreas situation calmed down. I actually have one more scar than she does though, because of the bulb thing I had sticking out of me due to the stent that I had in.

[izzy izkowitz]

I had mine taken out about 3 years ago. I had almost 50 stones!!! The recovery wasn't that bad. I couldn't eat things with much of a fat content for almost 2 years. Dairy Queen ice cream cones were the worst. I had to be real close to a terlet if I ate one of those. other than that it went real well. it was pretty gross when they pulled the drainage tube out of me in the hospital before I went home. That thing must have been 14 miles long. It just kept going and going and going.

[Kugzilla]

She's been home almost a week and doing pretty well. See the surgeon again on Tuesday-thanks for all the responses-nice to know we aren't the only ones dealing with it. Dietary changes and extra rest are where we are now, so I think all things considered we are fortuanate.

[Rumrunner]

She's been home almost a week and doing pretty well. See the surgeon again on Tuesday-thanks for all the responses-nice to know we aren't the only ones dealing with it. Dietary changes and extra rest are where we are now, so I think all things considered we are fortuanate.

Hey there Kugzilla,
Great to hear wife is doing well, I had my gallbladder out at 7:30am today, and I'm doing great, just soreness, and they gave me good daravil(sp?) for a painkiller. Let me know how your appt. goes, I have 4 incisions on my belly and wasn't offered any pictures of my gallbladder or stones. I guess they think I was too girly, all I remember was them putting the anesthesia in and then I was in recovery. My favorite part was the morphine afterwards.
Did some napping in the afternoon, and now I'm having some good ol broth.
Hope your wife's appt goes well tomorrow.

[Kugzilla]

Hope you're feeling better-so far all is well

[Rumrunner]

Hope you're feeling better-so far all is well

Thanks, doing real well, I'm lifting toddler and baby again, just had follow up visit this morning. Hope your wife is 100%

[Sinn Fein]

My wife had a bad attack last night. She wants it out, NOW. They wouldn't take it out before because it wasn't "bad enough" or some shit like that.

She went to the doctor's today but isn't back yet.

[Sinn Fein]

Well... Right after I made the above post, I got a phone call. My wife is in the hospital, being kept overnight. Apparently they are doing some kind of scan and she's going to consult with a surgeon tomorrow in regards to having it removed. She'll be coming home tomorrow afterwards and they will schedule the surgery for a later time, according to what I understand.

[Rumrunner]

Well... Right after I made the above post, I got a phone call. My wife is in the hospital, being kept overnight. Apparently they are doing some kind of scan and she's going to consult with a surgeon tomorrow in regards to having it removed. She'll be coming home tomorrow afterwards and they will schedule the surgery for a later time, according to what I understand.

Yeah, just tell her to be careful with her diet until the surgery. I took a chance with eating onion rings one day, and paid for it dearly with an attack from 6:30PM till 4AM in the morning, it was awful. Had to pace back and forth, because the pain wouldn't let me sit still, and the only thing on was Castaway at night. I was in hell. Finally it went away, and just stopped eating anything fatty, The only other attack after that was when I had fish (thought it was safe) from Joe's American Bar and grill and that gave me a small attack not as bad (probably too much butter). My doctor finally prescribed Bentyl for the pain (make sure she asks, because I didn't and could've used it during that bad attack).

[Sinn Fein]

Yeah I think the steak she had last night was the trigger...

[Sinn Fein]

Well, looks like she's coming home today. They are going to reschedule the surgery because if they remove it now, they can't do it laproscopically because it's inflamed/irritated/infected. They had her on an IV antibiotic for 2 days, and they're doing an endoscopy to make sure there are no other issues.

[rockpup]

I had three gall bladder attacks, felt like I was being stabed.. even vomited from the pain all 3 times. The first time the dr said it was gas pain.. second time I waited it out since my INS doesnt cover shit unless I go to my dr first. 3rd time I ended up in the ER since it was a 22mm stone that had forced its way out, slicing things up and putting my body into shock.

The morphine was GREAT! I also found out that while vicodin doesnt do anything for me, percocet works wonders. Hell, take a percocet and slowly sip a couple beers and you're up for anything.

On the bright side, I was told that being this young with such a big stone I was a candidate for kidney stones, which I got a year later. That didnt hurt as bad, but it was a variety of pain, and it's fun to piss red cool-aid.

[Kugzilla]

Hope all goes well

[sued]

Is this a seasonal thing???

My brother just started having attacks and went to the doc earlier this week. They want to remove his gallbladder too. He burps about 50 times a day now...

Any great surgeons in the North Jersey area?? (I can't believe I am asking for a surgeon recommendation on Wackbag)

[Sinn Fein]

I don't think it's seasonal, but then again it was about this time like 2 years ago when my wife had the first attack. Doctors now are saying it should have been addressed then.

[Rumrunner]

Any great surgeons in the North Jersey area?? (I can't believe I am asking for a surgeon recommendation on Wackbag)

I just had mine with Dr. Nitzberg, who performs surgery in Overlook Hospital, part of Summit Medical Group.. no complaints, Harvard Medical School grad, practiced in Columbia, over 1000 laparoscopic procedures done, very low complication rate. over 20 years i think working as a surgeon.

Here's two articles on other surgeons:

http://nymag.com/bestdoctors/articles/02/kindestcut/7.htm

http://www.njmonthly.com/issues/sept05/docsearch.html

[Sinn Fein]

Well, my wife is home. She's gotta schedule an appointment with the surgeon and they're gonna do it in a few weeks. She's got 3 prescriptions to take in the meantime.

[LAX]

My mom's near death situations weren't directly connected to her gall bladder. They were conected to pancreatitus (I know I can't spell, fucking deal with it) that made her fucked up gall bladder situation a little more precarious.

Pancreatitus (which I think you actually spelled right) is a fuckin cunt....I spent 5 days in the hospital last year because of it. Mine had nothing to do with my gall bladder but rather the obscene amounts of alcohol I had been consuming for years...

29 years old and it sux...I really don't even know if I should be drinking though I have been careful..Not drinking heavely two days in a row...Cutting drinking back altogether except maybe one or twice a week and no liquor..So far I haven't had another problem...

So outta curiosity has anyone ever got Pancreatitus that was alcohol related?

[Ack's Grl]

I wish I hadn't read this thread. My mother is having gall bladder problems. Two days after she went into the hospital, I went to the ER. This was Tuesday, the 12th. I haven't been able to drink or eat anything fatty since then. The drinking is killing me. I really like to drink- it's fun. Duh. Anyway, I had a gall bladder attack and a stomach inflamation at the same time (which they said leads to ulcers and if not taken care of, stomach cancer).

I went to a specialist on Wednesday. I have an appt to have a gastroscopy (which is somewhat like an endoscopy but I don't know what's different about it) to determine what's wrong with my stomach. Then on July 2nd I get a HIDA scan- swallow radioactive shit and they see how your gall bladder works. I know I have a bunch of stones. Apparantly it runs in my family- dad, mom, grandma.

So after reading this thread, for no reason whatsoever, I am so fucking nervous! I have anxiety problems too. This isn't helping. I've never had anything seriously wrong with me before (besides being nuts tee hee) so the thought of possibly needing surgery is really fucking with me.

My daddy says he keeps the gall stones at bay with a 3 day juice fast and olive oil flush. I'm not too keen on drinking half a cup of oil a day, but if it helps him, maybe it'll help me. I'd prefer anything to surgery. I've never even broken a bone. I've only had 4 stitches under my chin and a few in my mouth. I dare say this is the most serious thing to happen to me.

Wow, writing all that out actually helped abate the anxiety attack I was working up to. Cool!

[Angelfuck]

ask dawn, she showed me her scar ;) or maybe that was an appendix scar... in any case I got to see her tummy :p

[krispykreme]

Despite how you feel this is super common. Given heredity, etc., get checked out and have the benefit of having this taken care of at your leisure, rather than it becoming something acute. That way you choose the right Dr., etc, rather than being treated in an emergency room on vacation or something like that. Sucks I know.

[Hudson]

......so the thought of possibly needing surgery is really fucking with me. .....

Wow, writing all that out actually helped abate the anxiety attack I was working up to. Cool!
They went in near or through the belly button on my ex's surgery..no scar
Fatty foods are definately a no no, unless you like chocolate puddin drawers

[Sinn Fein]

Apparently heredity is a big part of it. My wife's mother had to have hers removed when she was 30 and had a niece or cousin in Italy (don't freak out about this part), who died from a ruptured gall bladder. Given that history, they should have addressed my wife's situation when she first had an issue a few years back.

My wife is a nurse, so she knows alot about this kind of stuff and that's why she's taking it in stride. Apparently, the surgery is not a real big deal (as far as surgery goes) as it's done laporoscopically - as long as it's not under emergency conditions. In that case, it's the "old school" type of surgery, which is alot more to recover from, of course.

[Hudson]

Apparently heredity is a big part of it. My wife's mother had to have hers removed when she was 30 and had a niece or cousin in Italy (don't freak out about this part), who died from a ruptured gall bladder. Given that history, they should have addressed my wife's situation when she first had an issue a few years back.

My wife is a nurse, so she knows alot about this kind of stuff and that's why she's taking it in stride. Apparently, the surgery is not a real big deal (as far as surgery goes) as it's done laporoscopically - as long as it's not under emergency conditions. In that case, it's the "old school" type of surgery, which is alot more to recover from, of course.
Thirties....that seems to be a recurring theme.... my exgf had hers done at 35, and heredity has alot to do with it....especially seen in those of descendants of recent southern european immigrants....ie italians and greeks (like 2 generations) at least that is what my exgf's doctor said

[Rumrunner]

Thirties....that seems to be a recurring theme....

"we conclude that gallstone disease is most likely to occur in patients who are fat, forty, female, fertile and have a positive family history"
http://www.ssat.com/cgi-bin/abstracts/01ddw/2399.cgi

32y female here too with family history, kinda sorta fat, definitely fertile.. also way too analytical, since I research to death everything...

just saw your post, ack's grl, sorry to hear you have to go through the gastroscopy thing, I just had an ultrasound for the stones, and they highly recommended to take it out. Just a precaution on the olive oil flush I researched it on the internet, (so not sure how valid my research is) Here's the excerpt and link:

"I have been diagnosed or believe I have gall stones – should I do a gall bladder/liver flush?
No – this is not recommended as a first step. These flushes using olive oil, lemon juice or apple juice etc work by shrinking the stones and causing the gallbladder to contract forcefully to hopefully expel the stones to be passed in the faeces. Alternatively, a teaspoon of good quality apple cider vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of honey in a small glass of warm water and sipped slowly during every meal can be taken to help dissolve the stones. These flushes are best done after at least 6 months of following the "Liver Cleansing Diet" principles and taking the recommended supplements to shrink and soften the stones before flushing. Once this has been done – the shrunken softened stones and remaining sludge may then be safely flushed out.

It is recommended to have an ultrasound of the gall bladder before undertaking the flush to make sure. The reason being that if the gall bladder is full of silent gall stones and a flush is undertaken – these stones may become impacted in the narrow bile ducts as they are flushed out. This may cause a tear in the duct. " source: http://www.liverdoctor.com/Section4/gallbladder.asp


good luck, I just had surgery 6/11 and was able to do the walkover with my husband and son on the friday afterwards with minor soreness, so I'm done with it. feel great, can eat ice cream and drink alcoholic beverages again.

[rockpup]

Every one of my moms brothers and sisters had their gall bladder out. I'm the first of my brothers to have mine out.

[Ack's Grl]

Thanks for the info Rumrunner- I knew you weren't supposed to start with the flush, but forgot to mention it. I'm currently on a no fat diet. I had 2 grams of fat yesterday (and under 1000 calories). I gained a pound somehow though. That's not important though. What is is that I'm on a gall bladder friendly diet for a while. After I find out if my stomach is cause for worry or not, I can start with the slow flush followed by the quick one in 6 months or so. I have it all written down somewhere. I get really serious when it comes to my health. I refuse to be decrepit (and obese) when I'm 50 like my mother. If I can't do for myself when I'm older (or old, whatever), it's a shotgun make-over for me.

Edit: gross question. I keep getting asked if there's blood in my stool. I'm asked by so many doctor's that I'm seeing that it's getting me paranoid! How would you see blood in your stool?? I thought I heard somewhere that if it's red, its a puncture/scratch in your asshole. If it's brown (old), it's in your stool and bad. But if it's brown, how would you see it??

Double Edit: 600th post is me asking about shit blood. That's about par for the course.

[Kugzilla]

the adjusting of the diet has been an adjustment, but we are still doing well.

[Rumrunner]

Edit: gross question. I keep getting asked if there's blood in my stool. I'm asked by so many doctor's that I'm seeing that it's getting me paranoid! How would you see blood in your stool?? I thought I heard somewhere that if it's red, its a puncture/scratch in your asshole. If it's brown (old), it's in your stool and bad. But if it's brown, how would you see it??

Double Edit: 600th post is me asking about shit blood. That's about par for the course.

Hi, I'm not sure how to check that is a good question. I guess it would have to be a different shade of brown, I was going to google images of bloody stools, but then I just couldn't... but here's another link off medicine.net about bloody stools hope it helps:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/forum.asp?articlekey=24701

I think you'll have to go for fecal occult testing to really determine if you have blood there. lots of those lab places may be able to help, I've used quest diagnostics for other tests. another link:

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/topics/gastroent/hpylori_stool.html
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/topics/insure/insure.html

Glad to hear you are health conscious, I hope you don't need anything too serious done, how's your family taking it? My husband was fine, but my mom's a nurse and was pretty worried when I told her I had gallstones. She works in the endoscopy department in Hackensack and really wanted me to use her recommended doctors, but unfortunately they weren't in my insurance plan. I liked my surgeon which I posted before, if you are looking in nj.

[sued]

Ack's Girl, you would know if you had blood in your poop if it looked really tar-ish. Not your usual poop. Plus if it was fresh blood it would show in the water. Like a period (sorry boys but gotta help a girl out). I think older blood is very black and shiny looking. You would know it if you saw it.

I also have anxiety probs that every doctor I have wants me to take xanax/anti depressants for but I refuse politely- try to keep in mind that the doctors seem to know your problem. It isnt some weird mystery thing, its gallstones. Very treatable.

That endoscopy thing isnt fun but not terrible. I had it done for "irritable bowel" and they gave me sooo much valium I couldnt tell what was happening. Now I hear you can be put to sleep sometimes. Either way, if you are taking as good care of yourself as you say, you are already so far ahead of just about every other American walking around the midwest (sorry guys). Think about how many unhealthy fat people there are -statistically you are in great shape.

Sorry about the anxiety though. I feel for ya- it sucks. Feel free to PM if you feel the need to vent to a stranger....I have certainly been there a hundred times

[opack fan]

I had mine out two years ago February. I thought it was heart burn for 6 months before. As far as I can remember the surgery wasn't too bad but I hate being put under so that stressed me out really bad! I was laid up for two weeks (4 days at the hospital and the rest at home). The only thing that sucks is that oyu tend to put on weight after, I gained 15 pounds and it took me almost 4 months to get rid of it but not having that stabbing pain wake you up in the middle of night makes it worth it! Let your wife know that is will be better in the long run!!! Take care!!

[Sinn Fein]

My wife is Italian/Irish (her mom is from Italy - born and raised) and like I posted above, it's been an issue on her mom's side of the family.

I won't give my wife's age (she'll get pissed). But, I am 35 so we're definitely in that age-bracket.

I have an aunt who has always been a skinny thing (looked anorexic before the term was even invented). She had a gall bladder problem and had it removed when I was a kid, like 25 years ago. She was probably about 30 at the time.

[Ack's Grl]

Wb'ers are so helpful. I'll let you know how it goes for me. I get testing done Thursday and the Tuesday after.

Why would you get period like blood from your ass? That's gotta be as scary as puking blood. Neither of which I have done, but my curiosity is easily peaked.

[krunk]

Edit: gross question. I keep getting asked if there's blood in my stool. I'm asked by so many doctor's that I'm seeing that it's getting me paranoid! How would you see blood in your stool?? I thought I heard somewhere that if it's red, its a puncture/scratch in your asshole. If it's brown (old), it's in your stool and bad. But if it's brown, how would you see it??

Double Edit: 600th post is me asking about shit blood. That's about par for the course.

Getting old sure is fun, huh? my doc told me if it was birght red that is was near the opening so it was most likely a hemmorhoid or a scracth or whatever from wiping too hard...if it was dark blood then it was from up inside the colon and that's when it's a problem.

[sued]

You wouldn't. But if you get bright red blood out your butt it is usually hemmeroids or a fisher, new blood. I think puking blood is worse. Ive never done either but I think I would absolutely lose my mind and be certain I had stomach cancer. I would definately make my entire family insane.
"its not a tumor" is a running joke in my family.

Good luck.

[Sinn Fein]

I know all about the blood, now. I had red blood a couple times and they made me endure the ol' scope up the ass pipe. If I had known back then, I would have refused. I think they just wanted to make a couple bucks. This was like 10 years ago.

[sued]

When you think about what it implies it is very scary...blood in the toilet.

Ugh, sorry SF, that is sooo unpleasant.

[Sinn Fein]

It's not that bad. If there was every any possibility (there wasn't), about pursuing a certain, ahem, lifestyle... it was removed that day.

[Ack's Grl]

I'm surprised there isn't a poll:
Which is worse?
-Puking blood
-Shitting blood

[bill333]

I'm surprised there isn't a poll:
Which is worse?
-Puking blood
-Shitting blood

Give it time ;)

[DOH]

ask dawn, she showed me her scar ;) or maybe that was an appendix scar... in any case I got to see her tummy :p

Yep, it is a gall bladder scar. See, back in 1983, at the tender age of 19, I had to get my gall bladder removed after a scary painful attack...I had no idea it was my gall bladder giving me the problem. Went to the hospital, had the surgery, stayed there for 10 days to recover, and now, 24 years later, I am proof that you don't need your gall bladder to live normally. I can eat and drink whatever I want with no ill effects.

And nowadays, the procedure is nowhere near as primative and barbaric as it was back then. Now it can be done as an outpatient, with no scarring. Although, I have been told that my scar is quite sexy....:xyxthumbs

[Sinn Fein]

They still do the "old-school" procedure under emergency circumstances. Part of the testing my wife got was to see if she needed emergency surgery. Well, she's now scheduled to have it removed July 9th and it will of course be the "short procedure" as they call it.

Glad to hear people live well without it. I was reading all kinds of stuff about dietary restrictions. Both times my wife had the killer attacks that led to the emergency room, it was after having a steak. Well, first time was a steak burger at a barbecue, this time it was an actual steak.

[Angelfuck]

my mom had the same thing happen, major attacks, they told her it was angina, eventually they realized it was gallstones. they still went in through in her belly button though, the only scarring really is from the holes where they put the cam a tools. and there are a lot of dietary restrictions if you dont want to get gallstones, but once its out its not so bad, mostly stuff you can live without

[GonzoRadio]

It seems everyone is having gallbladder trouble.... is there a way to prevent this? I have enough problems, this is one I'd like to avoid.

[GonzoRadio]

Also, this reminds me....

Last week my gf was complaining about a tummy ache and one day she told me she saw blood in her poop. I told her to go to the doctor but she never went...and it stopped hurting so I guess she won't go...

Can this be a gallbladder thing? She is 22, and a bit of a hypochondriac, so I don't know if she's exaggerating or if this is a real issue.

[sued]

Does anyone have them still? My brother is trying to decide whether or not to have the surgery since he hasnt had any horrible attacks yet, just sort of ongoing pain. What shouldn't he eat besides the obvious high fat meals? Is there anything weird that sets this off?

[CM Mark]

I'm surprised there isn't a poll:
Which is worse?
-Puking blood
-Shitting blood

I don't know, but I think we should ask Chris Benoit's family

[izzy izkowitz]

It seems everyone is having gallbladder trouble.... is there a way to prevent this? I have enough problems, this is one I'd like to avoid.

when I had mine taken out and the nurse saw the pics of all of the stone the first thing she said was "I bet you eat a lot of McDonald's". I did. I don't anymore. if I try I have to hurry to get home so I don't shit my pants. fun.

[dg124]

I had mine out 5+ years ago after having attacks on and off for a year or so....5 small scars but it was worth it to not have the pain anymore. I was back in work within a week.

[Sinn Fein]

Well, my wife had hers out yesterday. She had to be at the hospital at 9:45 and I picked her up about 5PM. She's got a prescription for Percocet and is just kinda laying around. She's not allowed to go back to work for 3 weeks, and has a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks.

[sued]

Glad to hear she is doing well. 3 weeks is a long time! Hope she enjoys the vaca!

[rockpup]

The dr said considering the size of the stone and my young age (28) I was probably a stone factory, and to expect to have kidney stones also. A year later I'm pissing blood and feeling like I'd been kicked in the taint. Joy

[Rumrunner]

Well, my wife had hers out yesterday. She had to be at the hospital at 9:45 and I picked her up about 5PM. She's got a prescription for Percocet and is just kinda laying around. She's not allowed to go back to work for 3 weeks, and has a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks.

Thought I'd bring up this old thread, wishing Ack's Girl a speedy recovery, and see how the recoveries have been for Sinn Fein's gal and any other wackbaggers. I was going to post my scar pics, but don't want everyone to be grossed out... I also had 2 c-sections, flabby tummy :(

[Rich W.]

Me & Jane both have it out...no prob

[Sinn Fein]

My wife is fully recovered. She's got 3 scars from it, each one is about an inch long.

[Kugzilla]

Wow-who would have thought this would be the longest thread I ever started. My wife is fully recovered as well-I can't even see her scars.

Good luck to all who are experiencing gall-bladder related issues. This thread was very helpful when we were going through it all.

[madbam]

that is some long ass foreshadowing as our own Ack's girl is going under today (Probably done by now) to get hers removed

[rockpup]

Ant's just trying to suck up to get the msg boards back on their side.

[Sinn Fein]

Yea... This board has been against them for far too long. :icon_roll

[mascan42]

Not really a gall bladder story, more of an incompetent doctor story, but . . .

My grandfather went into the hospital a few days after Christmas 1999 with pains in his abdomen. The next day, they diagnosed him with a large gall stone. His surgery was scheduled for Dec. 30, but the doctor suddenly realized all the golf he could get in if he left for his New Year's holiday a day early, and put it off until the Monday after New Year's.

Of course, the day before the doctor got back, my grandfather's gall bladder ruptured, spilling bile all through his system and causing a massive infection. He eventually got over it, but by then, his system was so weak from 2 months in a hospital bed, that he got another infection, and another, and another. Each time he got better, but never enough to get out of the bed before another problem came up. In the end, five months passed, and his heart finally gave out.

Have a nice day! :action-sm

[Kugzilla]

I'm sorry for his trouble.

[Sinn Fein]

That's the kind of shit that causes people to hate doctors.

[DanainNM]

I had mine taken out 3 years ago because I had stones in it. and it was about to bust My doctor told me that many people who do the no carbs diet have problems with their gall bladders. For a week all I could keep down was jello and soup but other then that I recoverd fast