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Gall Bladder Surgery?
pawz
Member, Moderator, Swaye's Wigwam Posts: 21,936 
So far my recovery has been fucking brutal.
I think I’m having phantom pains like people experience w amputated limbs. No idea what’s going on and all my tests/scans came back clean on my 2nd trip to the ER.
For the record I had a laparoscopic procedure.
What experience have others had in recovery from abdominal surgery?
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Comments
Had an employee who went through gallbladder surgery and they had a very uneven recovery, too, with a ton of pain after like they were still having attacks even after it was removed. I think she said that there can still be gallstones in your system that need to clear out after the fact. They can't get every last bit out during the procedure, is my understanding.
I had my appendix done 2.5 years ago via laparoscopic. It was pretty tight and sore for a week, but I didn't use any of the heavy pain killer stuff and just went with ibuprofen, only. Within two weeks it was feeling pretty good again but no lifting heavy stuff or anything for at least a month.
That’s exactly what it feels like, like I’m still having attacks.
I know for a fact there are no more stones - at least how it was explained to me re the procedure. Apparently they light up the tube that connects gallbladder/pancreas/small intestine like a Christine’s tree then X-ray it while they have you opened up.
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@pawz Unfortunately I know way too much about this ~ advice to all others is that unless you have this issue or are interested, stop right here ~ what follows is lengthy technical talk that is boring AF unless you have the need for the information.
My Gallbladder was removed about 8 years ago and even though this surgery is super common, most DR’s dont seem to know what to suggest as a follow up. I heard crickets, vague responses and flat out wrong information for a number of years, and had a hard time with a continuation of the same overproduction of bile issues that caused my gall bladder to fail in the first place. Years later, here is what I have learned.
So, the liver produces bile to break down fats etc, and the gall bladder is the receptacle and trigger release for the bile… without the gall bladder, the liver sends a steady stream of bile into the elimination and processing system. Overproduction of bile is a common condition (rarely known by Dr’s) and the outcome of overproduction is harsh for the elimination system.
Stones and fatty deposit masses occur in the liver, and without the gall bladder get dumped into the system on the way to the elimination network, and, just like gall stones, the release and travel can feel just like a slow moving earthquake ~ a spectacularly unnerving and shit AF feeling while it’s happening.
So I’m guessing that what is happening is the liver is unloading ~ lucky you.
Going forward, you can know that it’s likely that you are at a minimum, overproducing bile which is something that you can address. High fat foods need to be consumed in moderation (half portions) and or avoided. Smaller meals in general. No late night downloading and then going to bed.
There is medication which I definitely suggest. There are those that recommend Metamucil which is the wrong idea ~ it’s just useless bulk.
The good idea is a prescription powder (Epic Brand Cholestryamine) that you combine with water and shake vigorously (a heaping tablespoon and 3 ounces H20) that in action actually binds with a significant % of the bile you are producing and passes the excess bile through the system as a solid. 2x a day is one part of the solution.
The other common associated condition of overproduction of Bile is the overproduction of stomach generated gastric juices which causes GERT ~ yay, a double play in the making. To solve that, there is a 2x a day prescription drug (Protonix 40MG) that suppresses the overproduction of Gastric Juices. Again, its common to have both, these are the solutions.
I wish you the best.
@pawz and not Paws… and Err.. GERD not Gert…
@MrsSnow has had a laparoscopic surgery. Easy peasy, Japan-easy.
Appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thank you.
How long do you think it will take to determine if some of these long-term issues, will actually be of issue in my case?
Do you take the Cholestryamine everyday forever? I already have a prescription for Protonix.
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remember the song “chances are”?
Most often the reason you have gall bladder failure is an acid / bile imbalance
Try the powder and see if it makes a difference.
yah, the rest of my life and I’m grateful, as time went on after the surgery the symptoms just got worse until I used the medications
If you do get the powder, get Epic brand, every other brand tastes awful (I’d rather lick the wall) whereas the epic brand either sugar free (sugar substitute) or the regular version are very pleasant
the liver dumping if that’s what is happening is a short term phenomenon, the longer term issues are abnormal digestive snd elimination issues and you will obviously know if you need the medication for normalization now or later
there is really no downside to the powder and study’s indicate it reduces cholesterol as well