I had several gallbladder attacks when I was 48-49 but then didn’t have any for about 10 years. Then I had a very painful attack when I was 59 and my liver enzymes were outrageously high so I scheduled laparoscopic surgery 2 days after I ran a half marathon. Ran on Sunday, hydrated on Monday, outpatient surgery on Tuesday, back to work on Monday. I had no problems after a few days but couldn’t return to running for 6 weeks. I didn’t fit the FFFF profile other than being female.

I started having GB attacks in my late teens-in my early 20's I was told I'd need to have it removed in 10 years. I finally had a horrible attack-like others, thought I was dying-and the Dr. said it was just pyschosomatic since it was nearly 10 years since I'd been told I'd need it removed. Well, turned out it DID need to come out. I'd been having a lot of pain in my left shoulder-guess it was one of the symptoms!

Laproscopic and I was in and out in no time and up and at 'em. But I did not do any vacuuming or sweeping-because for whatever reason that really hurt my abdomen.

I'ts been over 20 years and i don't regret it a day-except I cannot process fats & oils easily. Just as well, don't need them!

If a surgeon recommends removal of asymptomatic gallstones, I would get a second and third opinion.

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0315/p468.html

"A 1992 consensus statement from the National Institutes of Health, updated by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons in 2010, recommends that almost no asymptomatic patients undergo cholecystectomy. Those at high risk of gallbladder cancer, myocardial infarction, and other complications—especially patients with sickle cell disease or hereditary spherocytosis, children, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy or undergoing transplant—may benefit from surgery."

Clinical Question: When is surgery indicated in patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis?

Evidence-Based Answer: Surgery should NOT be offered to patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis. Cholecystectomy may be beneficial for patients who are at high risk of biliary cancer, infection, or other complications, including younger patients and those with choledocholithiasis, sickle cell disease, gallstones larger than 3 cm, or significant immunosuppression.

- Most patients with gallstones (50-70%) have asymptomatic cholelithiasis, defined as the detection of gallstones without related symptoms or sequelae such as colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, or pancreatitis.

- A prospective study followed 298 patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic (occasional transient pain or nausea) cholelithiasis in a large health maintenance organization for 25 years. Patients developed symptoms at a rate of approximately 1-2% per year.

- A decision analysis using operative mortality rates and cost data from 12 studies was performed to compare prophylactic surgery with expectant management in patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis. It predicted higher costs and increased mortality across all adult age groups and in both sexes with prophylactic surgery.

- For example, the prophylactic surgery strategy predicted a mortality rate of 540 per 100,000 men 50 years of age vs. 383 for expectant management.

- Patients who are at high risk of biliary cancer and other operative or disease-related complications may be offered prophylactic cholecystectomy if the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks of observation. Patients with asymptomatic choledocholithiasis (stones in bile duct) have a much higher risk of severe complications (up to 50%) and should be offered prophylactic cholecystectomy.

- All patients should be counseled about the symptoms of biliary colic, because most severe gallstone-related complications are preceded by these symptoms.

neetsiepie, I hope you found another doctor! So odd that you were told your gallbladder would need to be removed in 10 years (why wait, if you were having attacks?), and that the pain was all in your head. That's infuriating!

I had my most severe attacks when I was very fit -- running regularly (5k and 10k races were a big part of my life). I think the "profile" is misleading and not all that statistically accurate.

Update: Surgeon was great. I think I'm going to have it on the 9th, laparascopy, outpatient at the hospital. Three weeks off spin class, though.

I had it done in my 40's, laparascopy. Recovery was easy except the anesthesia made me groggy for days.

I haven't read the replies yet except your's right above, and here's my advice in case no one mentioned it.

Until surgery, try to eat fat free because the fat is what causes attacks.

Not sure if this happened to anyone else, I'll read the replies in a bit, but thank the good Lord I was alone when it happened. I spent the night in the hospital (I wanted to) and the next morning when I had my first bm, well, it was the worst I'd had in my life. Let's leave it at that. lol That had to do with no gall bladder.

No one told me after surgery that I would have diarrhea shortly after a meal & it got to the point I wouldn't go out to eat until my doctor told me to take two Imodium AD's about an hour before I ate. Miracle drug!

After a couple of years that bad side effect went away.

Yeah, I hope I can really avoid dumping syndrome.

Know what my dh did the day I came home? He and the boys were going to the city to stock up on groceries for me because there was no food in the house. It seemed like hours they were gone. I looked out the window and saw them come up the road with a big truck behind them. They bought a big screen TV (this is when they first came out, one of those big honkers) and didn't go to the store. I sent their butts out for pizza, which I shouldn't have eaten. ;)

Stock up on Imodium AD. It never bothered me in the mornings, and if I was home I didn't take it.

And if you ever get a hysterectomy, stock up on Milk of Magnesia because the opposite happens after surgery and the gas will hurt more than the surgery itself.

I tend to learn the hard way.

Gscience, no experience to pass along, but I am happy to hear you’ve made a decision about the procedure. I hope all goes smoothly and that you’re back in the swing of things with school and such soon.

Not true that fat causes gallbladder attacks. Healthy fats are actually beneficial to the organ. High glycemic carbs are much more likely to exacerbate or even cause problems.

I'm feeling better over these past couple of days and just hope it holds out until I go for the surgery. I had my annual GYN appointment yesterday, and she agreed just get it done now.

I'm glad you've got a plan. Wishing you all the best for the surgery and recovery. Keep us posted!

Jen, you're partially right, but the bad fats do cause gallstones.

This Website has a list of the types of fatty foods to avoid.

After I went to the ER they checked my liver enzyme level, and it was way too high. The doctor asked what I'd eaten the past couple of days.

The reason I remember this so well is because it was a very embarrassing moment. That happened on a Monday, but the weekend before we happened to eat out 4 times in the City. We had Mexican, hamburgers/fries, all sorts of the good stuff I normally don't eat. I felt like a pig when I told him. lol

The doctor laughed and said that's what did it. I do remember having very light pain before that but it didn't bother me. Only after the pig-out weekend did I have to go to the ER. :)

I had the surgery yesterday and came home mid-afternoon. The surgery itself went great. I was scheduled for 8 a.m. and woke up in recovery at 9:30. Had some nausea and vomiting yesterday in recovery so I wound up staying there a little longer. Lying in bed and moving around last night was super uncomfortable. DH stayed with me all day yesterday, and MIL is here with me today. She just fixed me some oatmeal. Still obviously bloated and using the pain meds. I have glue, and I can shower today, but I'll wait until DH is home.

Gsciencechick, glad the surgery went well and hope your recovery goes smoothly.

Glad the surgery went well yesterday and that you're home : ) . Send you all best wishes for s speedy recovery!

Thanks. I was able to get in one last Spin class on Wed, too. But no Spin for a few weeks, unfortunately. Not that I can even think about it.

Whew! Glad that's behind you, and that it went well. Just let yourself rest. You'll be back to the usual stuff before too long.

I’m glad your surgery went well. Wishing you a smooth recovery.

Happy to hear you're on the mend, take it easy and you'll be back to your normal schedule and no time.

Glad your surgery went well. Each day will get better!

Hope you have a speedy recovery!

Glad this is now behind you. Keep taking care of yourself.

Good news that it went well, and all that's ahead is feeling better.

So glad to hear the surgery is behind you. Good wishes for a speedy recovery.

Glad to hear it went well and you are being cared for by your family. Take it easy and you will be back at Spin in no time!

Hope you feel better soon!

I hope that you will feel better and better with each passing day. Glad you have help and support at home.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Glad it went well.

They should have given you something in your IV for that nausea. They shouldn't have let you get nauseated after surgery. I was given something for my general anesthesia with my thyroid, and given a prescription of Zofran to bring home. Even with sedation for my endoscopy, they gave me anti-nausea drugs in the IV. It's usually the narcotics used that makes us nauseous.

Yes, they did get me the anti-nausea in the IV. I have never had general anesthesia before--just propofol before colonoscopies, so honestly, I had no idea how I would react. Maybe 15 years ago I was prescribed hydrocodone after a root canal and it made me nauseous and I stopped taking it, but I am fine now. I feel pretty lucid. A little less pain today, and I slept propped up in bed, which was much better. My coworker told me she used a wedge pillow and that it helped. So, I don't know if I need to send DH out for one since this seemed to work OK.

OMG, you have to see what just arrived from extended family!

Wow! Your family found the perfect container...adorable!

Adorable flowers! Glad it's over and you had a good surgery. I keep Zofran around me at all times! It's a miracle drug for those neausea days. I always have it with any anesthesia.

Take care of yourself and take it easy!

Glad your surgery went well and you are home. I've had several surgeries but the only one I was sick after was gallbladder. I wonder if that's common. Such pretty flower and cute container!

Sounds like you got this beat! Try to enjoy the down time,and rest.

I’m glad your surgery went well and you’re on the mend. It’s amazing at how quick you were home and in your own bed. The flowers are adorable.

Thanks for the well-wishes! Like so many of you mentioned, every day is a little better and less sore. I had less difficulty getting out of bed this morning which is great. I think I'm ready to just try Tylenol alone. But the thought of even riding in a car is not something I want to think about! My appetite is slowing returning, too. DH just picked up the groceries and will make some breakfast.

I am happy that you are doing well and that I checked in on this thread! It must be a relief to have it behind you. You are so lucky to have family to take care of you. The flowers are gorgeous. Hoping you continue to heal quickly and completely.

Glad you are feeling better and the surgery is behind you. Do I remember correctly that you have a little red car like the flower container? So cute!

So glad that all went well for your surgery! Love the little red car and flower arrangement! How thoughtful of your loved ones!

Glad to hear you are home and on the mend.

So glad this is behind you and your are recovery nicely. Great vase!

Yes, I have a red Mustang convertible, so the flower vase is perfect. The flowers and balloon are still looking good.

Yay, I could sit on the kitchen barstools today. I am able to call into some meetings tomorrow. I am still feeling some soreness around my abdomen. Only using the Tylenol.

Saw the surgeon for follow-up, and everything is looking good. I still have another week of activity restrictions before I can head back to the Y. I lost a few pounds, but there's better ways to do that. I have flexibility to work from home when needed. Classes started yesterday.

Here is little girl kitty from Sunday morning helping her mamma feel better. Love her beautiful face. Yes, I have on flamingo pajamas.

What a great progress report. And I love, love your flamingo pj’s!

They're Crown & Ivy from Belk. Super comfortable, too.

Flamingo PJ's

So glad that you're almost back to the Y! :-). That means things are really going well:-). Love the flamingos and love the kitty cat. You just can't be without the kitty cat to make you feel the best but Flamingo pajamas sure do look nice while you're mending.

Happy for you to have good news! Continue to heal!

I am so glad everything is moving along well :-)