Husband Having Gallbladder Surgery

There is a specific and very reliable test for gallbladder diease. When the test is done they inject something (don't know what) into your vein, then, IF you have gallbladder disease you immediately get sick at your stomach and usually throw up. If you do NOT have any type of gallbladder issues, you feel nothing and can walk out on your own. I tested negative for gallbladder issues, then additional GI tests found that I had IBS; and, Candida Albicans overgrowth in my colon which was causing the fecal toxins to leak out into my abdomen which caused my immune system to attack my own body tissue which resulted in me being deathly ill. Your husband sounds like he is the victim of conventional medicine and the insurance companies. I also was a victim for many years, then I found Dr. Suzanne Mack, ###-###-####. She is in Denton and I credit her with saving my life. She is the only doc that ever tested me for food allergies (I have many!) and also tested for Candida Albicans. She is a Licensed Naturopath and M.D., utilizing both conventional medicine, natural supplements, nutrition and life-style to assess and treat her patients. Under her care I made a complete turnaround and am now a healthy, happy person for the first time in my life. Her office is at 4212 N I-35. Exit at Hwy 380, take the northbound service road, her office is just north of the Cracker Barrel restaurant. She accepts most insurance. My advice is to explore other options rather than submit to "exploratory surgeries." Good luck! (^_~)

My husband, after years on intermittent pain finally let me take him to the er one night when he could no longer bear it. Turns out he had 22 gall stones and they immediately did surgery after reviewing the ultrasound.
It was laproscoic and he has about 4 small scars. the surgery took less than an hour. Recovery was easy and he rested at home for a few days. I wish he had it done years ago!

If he has gallstones, he definately needs the gallbladder out. There are no meds or therapies that will dissolve them. They just keep growing. Also, they can cause some potentially more dangerous and/or painful issues if not taken out like pancreatitis.

My symptoms were similar to the previous poster. When I had my first gallbladder attack, I thought it was a heart attack. I know other people experience other symptoms such as heart burn, indigestion, etc. My mother and sister both suffered from vague GI problems before they had theirs out. The surgery, if done laproscopically, is really not bad at all. I was back to work after a week with no problems. The only residual effect is that I have to avoid fatty and fried foods which is not a big deal to me.

ONe thing to keep in mind is that medical diagnosis, while based in science, can be more of an art some times. Some Drs have more experience, etc and this can make a big difference. Another thing is someone has a large number of symptoms, and your dh sounds like may, this is even harder to diagnose since there could be multiple issues at work making the problem very complex. This must be very frustrating. Good luck to you!

After 8 years of pain and stomach discomfort the doctor ordered a "hida scan" (not sure of the spelling ) on me which will show if you are having gallbladder problems. THe ultra sounds, etc. showed nothing. THis scan showed I had a non functioning gallbladder and surgery to remove it was recommended. I had never had surgery before but was so tired of having my "heart attack" episodes of pain so I went for the surgery. I do feel better but still experience some pain when I eat certain foods. I had this surgery 3 years ago and I am just now eating lettuce and uncooked green vegetables again. THey seemed to cause problems right after the surgery. I am still on a medicine called zegarid for heart burn and it works GREAT. I do have other issues with my digestive system and have been told I have IBS.. But, the gallbladder surgery made all the "heart attack" symptoms go aways and I do feel better. The surgery was no problem. I taught pre-school at the time and was back at work within three days. Take care. Don't worry but make sure you do trust your doctor and his opinion. Blessings to you and your family.

I had my gallbladder out in September of 07, and I can tell you that it was a crazy experience as well. I went to the doctor becuase I thought that I had severe indigestion or that I was trying to get an ulcer. He agreed to give me medicine as long as I gave him some blood to run test. Well being stubborn and knowing that it was just indigestion I agreed so that I could get the medicine. He called the next day to inform me that my liver enzymes were elevated and that I probably had stones. I got the sonogram and there were some and that got me sent to the surgeon who was nice enough to ask me when I would like to have this procedure done. I told him that in about a month or two I would be ready and he informed me that by that time I would be in the hospital with pancreatitis. Had it removed 4 days later and that was a different experience because I had to have it removed open (I have a very lovely scar on my belly now). But I can say that it has made a tremendous difference! Occasional heart burn but nothing like before. Mine route was pretty normal. I did have to apologize for how I acted coming out of anesthesia because I was a little annoying and I work at the hospital I had my proedure at;)

My best friend had things happen like your husband....ton of test and nothing showing up. When they finally decided to remove her gallbladder it turned out that she had "blackberry" stones that had points on them that were incredibly painful that never showed up on any of her test (EGD, Sonogram, CT, MRI, hidascan). She had hers out and has not had a pain since. It took 10 months for them to decide to take it out.

Keep your head up and take some deep breaths. Love your husband and your babies and remeber this too shall pass. Take it one day at a time and tackle when you find out what is going on instead of the what ifs.

My sister and I both had ours removed, and our issues sound just like your husband's. For me, I went to several Dr's, had tons of testing done, and finally found someone who said, I 'think' it may be your gallbladder. I had test run and it showed that it was functioning at about 12% of what it should have been. My Dr. basically gave me the option to have it removed, or try more meds to control all of my symptoms. I opted for surgery, and feel so much better...I can't even tell you. It took a while, but about 6 months after I had it removed I felt like a new person. No more pain, digestive issues, etc. My sister had the same symptoms as me, and said she's glad she had hers removed as well. she still has a lot of problems, many of which she found are not really related to her gall bladder issue. She's having to control those with diet and meds, but does not have the horrible pain she had before. I think it has been beneficial to both of us. I totally understand being skeptical...I was too. I'm glad I decided to do it though. It's been over 4 years, and all I have now is a little heartburn every once in a while, and I don't even take prescription meds for it any more. Good luck, and I hope that he is feeling better soon, whatever he chooses to do!

Oh I feel for your husband. I too had my gallbladder removed back in December, 2005. I feel like some old person being able to recount my illnesses, but I had never had a surgery before. I kept having severe, and I mean severe, stomach and back pains. It was usually after I ate spicy foods. I would take Gas-X, Lomotil, Ex-Lax, whatever to try to get rid of what I thought was causing it. Sometimes I could alleviate the pain by drawing a hot bath and floating in the tub. It was awful. Finally one night in the middle of the night, I awoke my husband and I just couldn't get any of the usual tricks to work in alleviating my pain. I got my husband in the car and we drove to a 24 hour pharmacy for some more Gas-X. My husband doesn't drive due to poor eyesight so I was hunched over the steering wheel with excruciating pain and my husband ran into the pharmacy for me. The Gas-X still didn't work when I took it. I waited until about 4:30 a.m. and called my father, who is a doctor in another town, and asked his advice. He suggested I go to the emergency room for an X-ray. It turned out to be the best thing ever. They discovered I had problems with my gallbladder and it wasn't working to capacity. I was having bad effects that caused the poisons to contaminate my liver and kidneys since the gallbladder wasn't working to cleanse the poisons. I had it out in less than 2 months and was feeling so much better within a month. Good luck and support your husband as it is such a relief to finally feel better.

I'm curious if they did the scan specific for the gallbladder... I had mine removed a couple of years ago and was 100% better, not another problem! But mine was very urgent, the symptoms just showed up overnight and were bad. I couldn't have made it 2 years... If they did the scan, then it should be completely clear if that's causing or atleast adding to the issue. If they did the scan, they should have given you a percentage of usability of the gallbladder. Mine had dropped to only 16% functioning and was in surgery the NEXT day... Ask about the scan before they go cutting...

I just had my gallbladder removed on 12/1. From all the information that I have received and researched, they do not take a gallbladder out unless it is diseased. I know from my experience, I'm feeling so much better. I did not realize how crappy I felt. As far as recovery goes, I was up walking and drinking fluids like they told me to and was driving 4 days after my surgery.

Good Luck!

I had my gallbladder removed about 1 1/2 years ago. I had terrible pain on my right side right under my ribcage that went through to my back. I also had pain up higher in the stomach area among other symptoms. I thought for a long time that I just had back problems and stomach problems. I finally got my answer when I was going to have a hysterectomy and told the doctor about some terrible pain I had recently. He had an abdomonal sono done that showed I had one big gallstone.

The surgery was easy with an easy recovery. The doctor even told me that I could pick up my kids the next day!! He said it might hurt, but it wouldn't injure anything. It was done laparscopically and was outpatient surgery.

Honestly, I didn't realize how much it had been bothering me. I felt much better after the surgery. My "back" pain was completely gone, and the stomach pain was almost completely gone too.

Don't worry about your husband. He will be fine. It's an easy surgery with easy recovery. Good luck!!

I had my gallbladder out several years ago. They kept thinking I was having a heart attack or stomach reflux and finally after all the other tests came out negative decided to check my gallbladder. I had large stone and they removed it in out patient surgery and have not had any more trouble. My 96 year old mom also had had stomach trouble for many years and no one had checked her gallbladder. They treated her for reflux and stomach problems. She finally had a really bad attack and turned orange and they finally checked her gallbladder. She had passed so many stones over the years with the attacks they were not able to get all the stones out of the duct from the liver to the pancreas, the gallbladder also had a malignant tumor in it. She made the surgery fine, her first every surgery, but without getting all the stones out of the duct, infection set in and she had a terrible last three weeks before she went on to be with the Lord. The Dr. said there are so many different symptoms with gallbladder it is hard to determine some times. So will pray this is the answer for your husband. L.

Hi A.. I had my gall bladder removed six years ago. For two years prior to the surgery, I was diagnosed with several different things (heartburn, acid reflux, possible liver disease, etc). It was a really rough time in my life. No medication or procedure worked. I had episodes of chest pain, severe back pain, and horrible stomach pain. Finally, I had such a severe attack I went to the ER. They did a sonogram and diagnosed me with gallstones. The next day I had my gall bladder removed and I have not had any symptoms since the surgery. The surgery itself was a breeze (considering it is surgery). I did not spend the night in the hospital. I had some intense pain for two days and then I felt great.
I don't know if any of this helps. I know how hard this is for you and your husband (especially with the holidays and a baby on the way). If you have any other questions feel free to ask. I will keep you both in my prayers.
Good luck,
K. N.

Unfortunately, I have lots of experience with gallbladder stuff. Your dh's problems sound a lot like my father's. He had his gb out 10 years ago, but throughout the years, has had numerous health problems. Well, come to find out (just within the past 3 months) that the surgeon who removed his gb left a stone in his liver where it's rolled around and caused much scarring. They have gone in in a series of procedures to enlarge the duct for the stone to leave. Since they have gotten the stone out, all of his symptoms have vanished. (some of his symptoms have been, gi problems, joint pain, fever or unknown origin, sweats, inability to sleep...and the list goes on.)
So, it very well could be the answer to his physical problems. (my pain, and inability to eat anything were removed along with my gb)
I would make sure that his surgeon does an ultra sound or something to make sure no stones are left, anywhere.
Good luck!
Jennifer

My father had his gall bladder removed a couple of years ago and it was a blessing! He had two surgeries - one to remove the gall bladder and then a second one to go back in and remove some of the "grit" that the gall bladder had released before it was removed. Both were done lapriscopically and he was released from the hospital within 48 hours. He would have been released sooner, but he often develops a heart arrhythmia after surgery, so they wanted to keep him in for observation just in care. He's doing great and rarely, if ever, has any side effects from the surgery.

You said nothing about your husband's original symptoms and why all these things have happened. But, I had my gallbladder taken out several years ago after several bouts with extreme nausea and vomiting and excrutiating pain--found out at that time that I had symptoms of gallbladder issues for years---diarrhea, pain across my shoulders (that one surprised me--never even imagined that was a sign of gallbladder problems). But the surgery itself was day surgery--went in early AM and came home that afternoon. I had three very tiny incisions, was sore for a couple days and had to avoid lifing, etc for a couple weeks and that was it! You will find afterwards that some food bother you some---mostly gave me diarrhea--but you learn those and the doctor will tell him what ones to avoid and I have been fine! Hope all goes well for him!

Me: Mom of 2 and Nana of 3

My mother, my father and I have all had our gall bladders removed. We all had different symptoms. My father had severe, acute chest pains. We all thought he was having a heart attack and called ems. They quickly determined that it was not his heart and transported him to the hospital. Several tests, ultrasounds, and xrays later it was determined to be cholecystitis and he had his gall bladder removed the next day. My mother's symptoms were more elusive and long lasting. She had digestive problems for years, but they seemed to get a little worse. Then she had back pain, some jaundice, increased bouts of nausea caused by more and more foods. She finally went to her doctor and an xray and ultrasound later was scheduled for gall bladder surgery. I had no pain at all. All of a sudden, almost everything made me nauseated except oatmeal! I told my doctor I thought it was my gall bladder, I had an ultrasound and surgery a week later! All of our symptoms disappeared and none of us had post surgery problems. Hopefully your husband will be as lucky.

Relax and be very thankful your husband has had tests that obviously ruled out anything really horrible like cancer. Gallbladder problem and symptoms range the gamut from discomfort to extreme pain--I thought my heart was going to explode--and the person suffering form them needs relief! I had my gallbladder surgery prior to the availability of the laproscopic procedure so it was major surgery but I felt better almost immediately and never had a problem with any foods or anything else. Every individual is different and there is no way to predict the outcome for your husband. The best bet is to be positive and supportive and not add more emotional stress to the situation than there is already present when someone is ill. Good luck!

I understand your fears. I had mine taken out right after 2 major kidney surgeries the last was to remove the right kidney, i also had a colonoscopy, and shoulder replacement surgery. I had no pain from the gall bladder being removed. it was really very easy on me. I wish you and your husband good luck and my prayers to you both. W. Hamileon

Almost every person in my family has had their gall bladder removed, including myself. Let me calm your fears. The gall bladder is actually pretty useless and the body is able to quickly learn how to get along just fine with out it. It is true that for the next little while greasy foods or ice cream might give you some problems, but not for forever. Your body adapts quite well. The problem is that they don't really have very many good tests to see if it is really the gall bladder that is causing the health problems, so they often will have you remove it on the whim that it will hopefully make things better. In the case of every member of my family it has seemed to have solved our problems. The surgery is cake! They make three tiny incisions and send you home the same day. Recovery is pretty easy as well. The worst part of recovery is that you will have air pockets throughout your body for a couple of days from them puffing air into your stomach to make it easier for them to perform the surgery. Anyways...sorry this is a novel. I just wanted to let you know that there is nothing to worry about and this will hopefully solve many of your husbands health problems. When I had my gall bladder removed I was told that there was a ninety percent chance that it would make things better....well, I believe that it was one of the best decisions that I have made and I am very happy with the results. Good luck with everything

I had mine removed 4 years ago. I felt like I was having a mild heart attack one night and the pain wouldn't stop. I went to the emergency room and the doctor told me I had gall stones and an infected gall bladder that had to be removed. I was relieved nothing was wrong with my heart but was worried about surgery since I never had one. Of course, I wanted a calendar to see how far I could schedule it out with my doctor and he said I needed to stay and just get it done! So, that's what we did. It was not difficult. They made 3 very small incisions and removed it - a day surgery! Looking back, I am glad it was handled immediately so that I did not have to worry about it every day, get multiple doctor opinions, etc., etc. After 2 or 3 days, I was back to normal 100%. The only issue I have now, like most others without a gall bladder, is that fried foods, cheese, cakes/cookies, etc run through me quick since the gall bladder is not there to act as a filter anymore! Good luck to you, just know it is not a difficult surgery or recovery.