Gallbladder Question

[Guest guest]

I was supposed to get my gallblader out last year and decided not to.

I could kick myself for that now. I think if I had gotten it out

perhaps this would not have happened?

My question is, if it is caused by the gallbladder and the gallbladder

is removed, will my pancreas heal and I will not have this terrible

disease?

Thank you

Eileen

[Guest guest]

Hi Eileen,

For most people that is true....if the gallbladder is causing the

pain and nausea and other symptoms, getting it out usually

takes care of all the problems.

Statistically, the majoritiy of the patients that have laparoscopic

removal of their gallbladder recover with no complications and

are " cured " of the symptoms.

However, there is the small possibility that some people have

gallbladder problems as well as pancreas or SO problems so

that removing the gallbladder only eliminates part of the

problem.

Or a small amount of people never had gallbladder problems to

begin with so removing it doesn't eliminate the symptoms.

And a small amount of people will have gallbladder problems

and removing it solves these issues but actually causes other

ones (like post-cholecystectomy syndrome or SOD, etc).

So there really is no easy answer to this question other than to

say that statistics are in your favor.....and that the best way to get

to other things going on which the gallbladder my mask, mimic

or add to, is to remove the gallbladder and see what happens.

The caution that I would give is to find a surgeon that is aware of

the possibility that this may not end up being the cure and is

willing to work with you if your symptoms should remain. I would

call it the " expect (or hope) for the best but prepare for the worst "

philosophy.

If the surgeon is the type who dismisses any of these concerns

or is adamant that his surgery is the cure, I would seek another

opinion. I have found that attitudes like this in a surgeon will

prevent him from providing follow-up care if the outcome did not

meet HIS expectations.....let alone the patient's. They seem to be

big dealers in self-denial. The " well it should have cured you, so

therefore it did, I don't care what the evidence is telling me....... "

laurie

[Guest guest]

Hi Eileen, When I had my distal pancreatectomy the surgeon said my

gallbladder was 3 times the size it should have been. I had a

thrombosis (excuse the spelling) in my spleen which meant there was a

blockage in the main artery or vein that was caused by my pancreatitis

attacks which squeezed the spleen as the pancreas swelled. It got so

squished, that blood couldn't flow thru it, so they removed it. I had

no pain for 2 years after the operation and steady pain ever since. So

if that helps or confuses, I'm not sure..just adding my experience to

the thought process for you....Jim