Anyone had gallstones?

[beccathebaker]

Hi! Just found out after months of excruciating pain that I have a big gallstone that needs to be removed. This has been complicated by the fact that due to radiation treatments for cancer, I have lots of fat malabsorption as well. so, I thought that the pain was from that. I am going in next week for surgery. Anyone have experience with this? I would love some tips or advice on dealing with the surgery and also just some hints on getting by until then. (I can't have any fat in my diet until the gallbladder is taken out).Thanks for any pearls of wisdom.
-Becca

[BeckyM]

Becca,

I don't have any words of wisdom, because I haven't gone through anything like that, and I haven't known anyone who has. I just wanted you to know that I think you've gone through more than your share of health problems, and I'm pulling for you, as I'm sure everyone else here is too. Hang in there, and let us know how it goes!

Becky

[beccathebaker]

You are all so wonderful! I am not sure if they will be able to do a laparoscopy because of radiation scarring that I have, but the doc that I am seeing is one of the best at Brigham and Women's and he is going to try to do it that way if at all possible. It is interesting that rice was something which set off your symptoms Cheryl, I find that rice and other carbs actually help my stomach. I do agree that chocolate makes them much worse-as does ice cream and other fatty stuff that I really miss (especially as I am trying to put on weight!!)
All of your words are so kind-I will let you know what evolves!-Becca

[RunnerKim]

Hi Becca,

I had my gall bladder out several years ago via the orthoscopic method. I too went home the same day of the surgery. I do recall being in pretty decent pain immediately following the surgery but did recover fairly quickly. I was in grad school at the time - but don't recall taking more than a couple of days of down time before resuming some easy activities. I think my case was fairly severe - for reasons I can't even understand now -- I "lived" with gallstones for a couple of years before having the surgery.

Kim

[woodsl]

Becca,

My mother had her gallbladder removed a few years ago via the laparoscopy surgery. She was at least 70 years old at the time. I love her to death, but she is a BIG whiney (sic?) baby; however, she seemed to handle the surgery and the recovery very well. So, if your surgery is laparoscopic, it shouldn't be too bad. Good Luck. I will keep you in my prayers.

Sharon

[This message has been edited by woodsl (edited 04-19-2001).]

[donleyk]

Becca,

I have been through the surgery. This was before lazer surgery. Do you have any details as to what they will do exactly? (Lazer or not)It makes a difference.

[phantomcg]

Becca:

I had my gallbladder removed in Feb. 2000. I had what my Dr. only described as "several" stones, so I don't know if they were big or little. I found that rice and chocolate would set off an attack. My Dr. also advised me against eating any spicy foods. He gave me a prescription for something which limited the acid production in my stomach which really cut down on the problems I was having. As for the surgery itself, I was able to have the orthoscopic surgery, which was a big relief. I was off work for 2 weeks, but I think that I could have returned to work the 2nd week. The recovery period with the "full" surgery would have been 6 to 8 weeks. I had the surgery around 9:00 AM and I went home that night even though my husband and my nurse were trying to convince me to stay in the hospital overnight. I really just wanted to be at home. Moving the first couple of days was pretty painful, but nothing unbearable. My Dr. gave me a prescription for some pain pills and I think I only used them for a few days. I have not had any problems since. I hope some of this helps you out. I'm sure that your surgery will go fine and that you'll be up and about again in no time.

Cheryl

[SusieO]

Hi Becca:
I also have no advice to offer, just sympathy and best wishes. Really, it sounds like you've been through enough, already. Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.

[Beth H]

I had my gallbladder out about 10 years ago -- the old fashioned way. What I haven't seen discussed here is the long-term impact of not having a gallbladder. I have found that I still have problems eating the types of foods that triggered gallbladder attacks -- in my case very rich foods like cheesecake or other sweets. I'm not saying I can't eat these foods --- I just have to watch what I eat a bit or have some digestive troubles. Good luck with your surgery -- even if you have to have the traditional surgery, the pain should subside after just a few days, and you'll be well on the road to recovery.

[beccathebaker]

Beth-
It's funny that you should say that because I have heard that from other people as well, yet when I have asked my doctors they have actually told me that I will be better able to tolerate fatty foods when the gallbladder is out!! So many conflicting opinions! Good to know that the traditional surgery is not too bad. I'm not that concerned about the pain as much as getting back to work quickly- I am the baker for a local farm and I do lots of lifting and moving around, and our busiest farm season time begins May 1st. Great timing huh?
Thanks everyone for your words! -Becca

[schuh]

Greetings from an infrequent visitor (and a frequent poster on the food side of this board). Anyway, I had my gallbladder removed last month. I was lucky enough to have it done laporascopically. (Frankly, I had my tubes tied at the same time.) I think people focus so much on the small size of the incisions and think that this should be a "no biggie" procedure. Well, I can't say it was anywhere near as rough as my C-section, but it wasn't nothing either. I was very uncomfortable right after the procedure, and although they had originally planned to send me home the same day, I ended up spending the night so they could keep me comfortable (with wonderful drugs delivered by IV). But it's remarkable the difference that 24 hours made -- I was comfortable (with the help of Vicodin) and moving around pretty well. The other thing to keep in mind is that it takes some time for your "plumbing" to adjust to having no gallbladder. I had days that I was totally constipated (which I understand is unusual) and other days that I would feel cramping and a lot of urgency when I needed to "go." I'd say it took me three full weeks to get back to normal; I'd suggest giving yourself two weeks before you go back to work. Anyway, now, a month later, everything seems fine and I've been able to eat a few things that I couldn't tolerate before the surgery (I actually ate three deep-fried chicken wings dunked in blue cheese dressing last night). Prior to the surgery, the biggest culprit for my gallstone attacks was fat, which I understand is very common, although some things bothered me more than others. Deep-fried foods, lots of red meat, and rich french foods had me doubled over in pain. I put the surgery off for three years (and lost 40+ pounds, thanks to the low-fat diet). Now my only regret is not doing the surgery sooner. Sorry that this message is somewhat rambling ... just wanted to give you all the info I could think of. Good luck!

[RunnerKim]

Beth H I find your comments intersting as I have heard both things -some people who still have problems (to a lesser degree) and others that don't have any problems. I'm fortunate in that I haven't noticed any problems - but I ate horribly before and eat much better (including lower fat, more fiber) now. I'm fairly young for having had gallstones - 20 when I had my first attack.

Well, now that I think about it I can say that if I should ever eat at McDonald's I will pay for it within 30 minutes - 45 on the outside. The last time I consumed this convenince food was while moving cross-country - and found it just wasn't worth the "convenience."

Kim

[beccathebaker]

Hi everyone-
I had the consult with the surgeon in Boston today and I am going in for surgery on thursday. He is going to try it laporoscopically and then if need be he will do the open surgery. I think that I may even be able to go home right away rather than spending the night (if it's a laporoscopy). I guess I just wonder how much pain I will have and how soon I will be able to get back to the bakery. Is it unrealistic to think that I will be able to go back the first weekend in May? Will they give me pain medication? I am going to ask all of these questions tomorrow at my pre-op visit, but i didn't know what all of you thought about timing and pain meds. etc.. I tend to heal quickly, after my hysterectomy I think that I was really only laid up for about a week before i started taking walks and trying to get around. I also would prefer not to use much pain medication (as it tends to be constipating) What were you all given? I totally appreciate hearing everyone's feedback!
thanks again
-Becca

[bossy]

Becca I had this surgery a few years back when I was VERY chubby and out of shape - There was quite a bit of pain for about 24 hours or so after the surgery. Like most of the others here I went home the same day and the first night was a bit uncomfortable - having to very gingerly get out of bed over and over due to all the IV fluids they give you! One thing a doctor friend told me to do when recovering in the hospital is to try even if its uncomfortable to take deep breaths it helps eliminate some of the trapped air inside so that you'll get very few sharp pains due to that. The good news is you really do recover quite fast - after a couple days you should feel much better. And if you are relatively fit I imagine every aspect of it will be even better for you. Since the operation I've had no troubles at all eating anything. Sure beats gallbladder attacks! So just hang in there baker you'll be feeling better very soon!! You'll be in our thoughts Thursday http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif.

[Beth H]

The doctors also told me that there were no digestive problems after having your gallbladder out. But, these "problems" are nothing like horrible gallbladder attacks, just minor problems digesting really, really rich foods or from eating too much fatty food within the span of a day or two. So I avoid rich foods (esp. cheesecake or rich desserts) when possible. The gallbladder does do something to aid digestion, I think, so it may just be that some people's systems adjust to not having it better than others. I was in the hospital after I had my gallbladder out (I had mine removed as part of a larger surgery), and the first real meal they offered me was a reuben sandwich. Yuck. I used to love reubens, but I haven't eaten one since then.

[dmcgreevey]

I had the laproscopy in 1998- after living through several years of pain and no doctor being able to tell me what it was (after millions of tests!). Finally went to the emergency room one night after eating fried green tomatoes- there was one too big to "pass" so they gave me drugs and took out the gallbladder the next day.

It's easy to recover from- I think I was back at work a couple days later.

While I have no where near the problems I had before when eating, I do have digestive problems with certains foods (bathroom ASAP!)- they just go right through me now.

Good luck!

[schuh]

Regarding your question about drugs, they did give me Vicodin, which made me quite sleepy. After a couple of days, I saved it for nighttime to ensure a good night's sleep. I was constipated after my surgery -- I had no idea it might be due to that! That has gone away.

You may want to ask your doc about other medicines. When I had my C-section they told me I could take up to 6 Advil at a time...

As for going back to work, that's pretty individual. I'm an at-home mom and had help for a week and was "back to work" after then.

[slknight]

Becca,

I hope your surgery went well. I was thinking about you today. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Your (almost) neighbor in Hamilton, MA
Susan

[beccathebaker]

Hey everyone-
The surgery was sucessful- they were able to do the laparoscopy. I spent the night on thursday- mostly because I couldn't come out of the anesthesia and I was in so much pain. I'll tell you, it seemed to hurt more than my hysterectomy did! Probably because then I had a morphine pump and this time it was just percocet. I came home friday and have been slowly recovering. I am a little bit frustrated with how sore I am but I suppose that I just have to be patient. I am already amazed at how much less my stomach hurts after I eat!
They found a number of stones and they gave me the largest one to keep. I guess that it is a rare one because it is a bilirubin stone made of sloughed blood cells! Probably the result of my chemo and radiation.
Anyway, I am just resting up, eating comfort food and watching too much bad t.v. I did just get the book "The Bonesetters Daughter" by Amy Tan and it is soo good. My sister flew in from San francisco, (she is a nurse) and is taking very good care of me. I had a sponge bath and pedicure yesterday!
Thanks for all of your words of wisdom- take care.
-Becca

[bossy]

Thanks for the update Becca. It sounds like you are doing just fine. Each day will be MUCH better now and what a relief to have it over with! Bet you'll be baking by Tuesday http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif