I was scheduled to have my gallbladder removed (finally!) on December 18, 2012. I went into the OR for surgery around 2:30 pm... and woke up around 3pm gagging, feeling like I'd been run over by a train, convinced I was dying! Apparently, during intubation my heart rate galloped up to 180, dropped down to 40, ramped back up to 190, then plummeted back down to 60. At that point, my wonderful surgeon called off the gallbladder operation.

Instead of a smooth GB removal as an outpatient, I spent 4 days and 3 nights in the hospital. Wednesday, a heart specialist came in to tell me that my toponin (sp?) enzyme levels were fairly high for heart attack indicators. Scared the holy schmolly out of me! I had a heart catherization on Thursday to see what the extent of my heart damage from my heart attack would be. The cath shows that my arteries are clear and that I did not have a heart attack, but that my heart muscle is somewhat weak. The debate rages on among the specialists about whether that is because of my rapid weight loss or if it is a congenital weakness.

The current diagnosis is that I had a possible allergic reaction to the anesthetic OR my vagas nerve was touched during intubation OR I was super stressed at the time of surgery and just reacted badly all the way around.

I've also been told that I can have my gallbladder out as soon as my surgeon and I want to reschedule it. I am still in severe pain from the GB, but I think I'll be waiting a couple of weeks until I can wrap my head around going in for more surgery.

Lissa, is there any way you can treat the gallbladder without surgery? I know there are non-surgical methods:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/gallbladder/non-surgical-treatments-for-gallstones.aspx

My gallbladder is full of stones, but I have no symptoms. Wonder why that is?

Snow, never you mind girl! Your pain and your story is yours to share and I doubt that Lissa is angry at you for "hijacking" her thread

Remember that you can't control anyone else or the events of the world around you but you CAN control your reaction to them. Breathe deep, this too shall pass.

If you're nauseous it may be due to dehydration.

I'm never angry at someone for "hijacking" a thread. I think I'm the world's worst about doing it! I hope that my story can help someone else recognize a gallbladder attack, simply because it took someone else's post for me to recognize what was going on with me!

My status as of now is this: I am scheduled to have my gallbladder out on January 25, 2013. My surgeon says that my risk of having similar problems again is nil. :::deep sigh::: I trust him, but I'm still scared. Between the follow-up appointments to make sure my heart is okay, work, and daily stress, I'm taking a break from a lot of things right now.

I hope that no one is upset with me. I'm just trying to concentrate on my own health and welfare for a little while.

Lissa....I hope the surgery goes well. Things have been going great for you up till now. It just goes to show we are never truly out of the woods. Best of luck.

Lissa,

I'm adding you to my prayers. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I'm scared too. If Dr. Says nil lets think posivitve he's right. Take care and keep us posted.

I was scheduled to have my gallbladder removed (finally!) on December 18' date=' 2012. I went into the OR for surgery around 2:30 pm... and woke up around 3pm gagging, feeling like I'd been run over by a train, convinced I was dying! Apparently, during intubation my heart rate galloped up to 180, dropped down to 40, ramped back up to 190, then plummeted back down to 60. At that point, my wonderful surgeon called off the gallbladder operation.

Instead of a smooth GB removal as an outpatient, I spent 4 days and 3 nights in the hospital. Wednesday, a heart specialist came in to tell me that my toponin (sp?) enzyme levels were fairly high for heart attack indicators. Scared the holy schmolly out of me! I had a heart catherization on Thursday to see what the extent of my heart damage from my heart attack would be. The cath shows that my arteries are clear and that I did not have a heart attack, but that my heart muscle is somewhat weak. The debate rages on among the specialists about whether that is because of my rapid weight loss or if it is a congenital weakness.

The current diagnosis is that I had a possible allergic reaction to the anesthetic OR my vagas nerve was touched during intubation OR I was super stressed at the time of surgery and just reacted badly all the way around.

I've also been told that I can have my gallbladder out as soon as my surgeon and I want to reschedule it. I am still in severe pain from the GB, but I think I'll be waiting a couple of weeks until I can wrap my head around going in for more surgery.[/quote']

Hi Lissa, so sorry for the failed surgery. I had a somewhat similar experience. I went in on Nov. 6 for my sleeve/gall bladder surgery. I woke up intubated and being told there was a "complication". Right after they finished with my gall bladder my heart rate shot up and stayed there. I had to be shocked ... They stopped the surgery and I didn't get sleeved. After rounds of tests and monitoring, they said I had SVT. Supraventricular tachycardia. Basically just a rapid heartbeat. No signs of any other heart issues. The recovery from the gallbladder was smooth. I was sleeved on December 11 and it could not have gone smoother. My follow up with the cardiologist was very positive. All good and he also assured me they could control the rapid heartbeat from occurring during the next surgery. I wish you the same smooth next surgery. I will keep good thoughts and prayers going your way.

Sorry to hear about your GB troubles. Mine acted up and had to go 2 weeks before the VSG and they couldn't slide the 2 operations together. So they opened me up twice. I sure felt better without the GB, though. That brat had caused me problems for quite a while I think.

I'll be praying that all goes well.

Lissa,I am so sorry you had such a scary experience with your attempted surgery and are still in pain with the gallbladder. I waited six weeks from diagnosis to surgery for my gallbladder, and remember how painful it was. I hope your surgeon can get it done soon, and there are no more problems with your heart. My prayers are with you.

Sharon