Gall bladder stone management

[gmacy 22]

So I am five months out from gastric sleeve ... It has been great as I am down 120 plus pounds ... This past week though I noticed if I eat anything with fat I start to get severe cramping shooting pain in my upper abdomen and into my back ... Bilateral but a little worse on the right side ... I don't normally eat food with much fat as I don't want to slow the weight down gain.

I am in Florida for a course this weekend though and my wife and I had calamari with dinner last night ... No Bueno as the cramping was horrible then more pain and nausea ... After fifteen minutes I had to leave the restaraurant and go back to the room

I thought perhaps just that dish but then I had crab cakes (one) at lunch today and the same symptoms but not as severe

I realize this is likely gall bladder stones ... How quickly do I need to address these? Is surgery the best option? Can I push that off by avoiding fat or will it worsen regardless?

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Fats, creamy rich stuff, cheese, gravy, dairy, spices etc. will cause your gallbladder to restrict and discharge stones. My gallbladder ruptured and I nearly died (back in 1973 when they still cut you half in two). The doctor said they had to "go fish" because there were gallstones everywhere.

Be real strict on yourself until you get home. Eat bland, "easy on the tummy stuff". Call your surgeon as soon as you get home. If the pain interferes with functioning you need to go to the E. R., no matter where yo are.

[gmacy 22]

Fats, creamy rich stuff, cheese, gravy, dairy, spices etc. will cause your gallbladder to restrict and discharge stones. My gallbladder ruptured and I nearly died (back in 1973 when they still cut you half in two). The doctor said they had to "go fish" because there were gallstones everywhere.

Be real strict on yourself until you get home. Eat bland, "easy on the tummy stuff". Call your surgeon as soon as you get home. If the pain interferes with functioning you need to go to the E. R., no matter where yo are.

Can a good rule of thumb be that as long as I am not having pain or n/v I am eating the right stuff ?

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

You know, I suffered with the bloody gallstones for over a decade. They don't get better with time! And they don't go away on their own. Why suffer needlessly? Just get it taken out, it is a fairly simple surgery these days, compared to years ago, like Miss Mac said. Once it's out, you don't have to think about it, or suffer anymore. I don't take (and never have) any meds for the fact that it is gone.

BTW, they never could figure out my pain (strictly in the mid-back area), an ultra-sound for another issue actually found the stones. The pain comes from the gallbladder trying to pass the stone. That's why it hurts. Good luck to you!

[gmacy 22]

Thank you for the reply ... I am fine with having the surgery ... I am just hoping it isn't something I need to deal with immediately and give me a chance to schedule it with regards to my work schedule.

If I can "manage" it for a couple of weeks then that would be ideal, but if I need to plan getting it out ASAP then I need to plan for that.

Is there any harm in waiting for a more ideal time in a couple of weeks and avoiding rich/fatty foods until then OR will it get worse and potentially rupture like an appendix ?

You know, I suffered with the bloody gallstones for over a decade. They don't get better with time! And they don't go away on their own. Why suffer needlessly? Just get it taken out, it is a fairly simple surgery these days, compared to years ago, like Miss Mac said. Once it's out, you don't have to think about it, or suffer anymore. I don't take (and never have) any meds for the fact that it is gone.

BTW, they never could figure out my pain (strictly in the mid-back area), an ultra-sound for another issue actually found the stones. The pain comes from the gallbladder trying to pass the stone. That's why it hurts. Good luck to you!

[egeland942010 9]

I was just hospitalized with pancreatitis due to gall stones. I'm having issues with the gall bladder when it releases the sludge and it blocks up the duct from the pancreas. I am scheduled 5/6 to see surgeon and was told I could schedule a few weeks out from there if I can control pain.

Defiantly recommend getting in before you have a severe attack that won't stop. Best of luck!