Gallstones

Has anyone had experience with gallstones? Apparently those of us without a colon have a higher chance of having them. I'm one of the lucky ones who's having symptoms, pain after eating, lots of tooting from my stoma. I've cut down on my fat and that helps. I've also been told by my new gastroenterologist that my gallbladder needs to come out before it creates a bigger problem. Laparoscopic surgery is a simpler, quicker procedure with faster recovery, but the scar tissue from my four previous surgeries may require an open surgery. Ugh, total colectomy, the gift that keeps on giving. Oh well, any info is appreciated. TIA, folks... 

thinking of you hun....if anyone can handle this you can. Your strength shines through....

I don't have any advice for you. But I can confirm that, as your doc has likely told you, a missing gallbladder is not that big of a problem. Mine was removed a few years ago and has caused no issues whatsoever.  Best wishes for a good outcome.

Hi Effi , 

    My Seweetie , Kitty  had  Laproscopic   Gallbladder surgery  to remove a Stone.  They Nicked the Tube to get the Stone through . Apparently Pancreatitis  was the result of this . After what I've learned I would take the open surgery every time . It seems to me that Removal of the Gallbladder is much safer than removing a Stone .  Also continue to be aware of Blood Clots after surgery of any kind , it really can save your life !!  

All the best ....and  you Must have a  " WingMan/ Woman to watch over you . 👍😎☘..Magoo .

Glad it was uneventful and worked out for you!

I didn't even know you could have surgery to remove a stone. Wow. I'm sorry that Kitty got Pancreatitis from her laparoscopic procedure. I think anyone would want laparoscopic as opposed to open but not with such a side effect. 

Hi Effi , sad to say it was Kitty who had the procedure and Kitty died from a Blood Clot exactly one year almost to the day after her procedure .  Pancreatitis can be a very serious problem , you should ask about that . They should have simply removed her Gallbladder and NOT with Laproscopic procedure !!! Open surger is best with scar tissue involved . Get lots of advice on this and ask about blood clots . 

All the best ... Magoo ☘

I am so sorry you lost your sweetheart. Thank you for passing along all of your information and warnings; I will speak with whichever surgeon I end up using.

Hi eefyjig,

  You might find this VERY interesting.  I did.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgO7gIaG_Zg

;O)

bob

Bob, I DID find that very interesting and really appreciate you sharing it. I want to be as informed as possible. When I hear, "You can live without your gallbladder," I now ask, "Yeah, but how?" It's not so clear cut. I've decided to speak with a holistic dietician who has some ideas and I'll see. I'm not rushing into surgery. I can't thank you enough!

~Lori

My stones were diagnosed as uric acid stones - treated with Allopurinol and potassium citrate.  Question everything.    Best luck.

I had APR repair with removal of sigmoid, rectum and anus and colostomy in 2017 and a year later a different type of cancer found in terminal ileum and ileocecal valve.  Another large surgery.  Luckily what remained of small intestine was able to be connected with colostomy.  Took the surgeon 2 hours just to lyze all the adhesions in the belly.

I've had gallstones for around 4 decades.  I had one acute attack in the 1980's but nothing since then.  Could eat any type of food with no bad reaction.  CT Scans to keep track of any possible new abdominal cancers always showed a large gallstone but since I was not symptomatic nothing was done about it.  

Last October hospitalized for small intestinal obstruction.  Doctors explained that sometimes it is not a complete obstruction but "kinking" of intestine (like a hose kinks) which with time can "unkink".  Day 4 finally passed some liquid in pouch so no surgery needed.  November hospitalized again for gallbladder attack.  Surgeon said it would not be laparoscopic because 4 laparoscopes are needed to do the surgery, and he was afraid that moving the laparoscopes around might damage the colostomy. Cholecystectomy done and successful.  Have been fine since.

I am sure you will come out of it just fine regardless of whether your surgeon uses laparoscopes or total cholecystectomy.  The surgeons choice depends entirely on the location of your stoma in relation to the gallbladder.