UPDATE Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

dancinmyazoff Posted: Oct 22, 2007 08:19 AM

UPDATE Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

FMIL has been very lethargic the past week and it is VERY unlike her. She became very out of breath and fell asleep for 3 hours after carrying up a basket of clothes from the basement. They made her stay overnight and we just got a call that they're going to be performing Gall Bladder surgery. Both of us (FH & I) don't really know about what this is???

Can anyone tell us is this common? Or anything else you might know

***Update***

FMIL was supposed to have her Gall Bladder removed through surgery earlier this morning and well I just got a call from FSIL that they couldn't do surgery on her because her blood pressure was high....but now they just had to transfer her to Winthrop Hospital because they found fluid around her heart. I don't know what any of this means but we're going to the hospital now to see FMIL (FSIL is on her way to pick me up). Please send some of your prayers over her way please...

catsgirl Posted: Oct 22, 2007 08:29 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

a gall bladder can really make one sick, and the stomache pain is unbearable, i just had an 88 yr. old patient have one removed, and she is doing great, and she is already up and about. so i believe you and fh has nothing to worry about, but remember every body heals differently, but i think shell be ok.

kristi313 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 08:33 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

it has something to do with fat, you don't necessarily have to be overweight for it to be a problem, it basically has something to do with the amount of fat you take in. i believe too much can irritate the gall bladder and make it very painful. it's not an uncommon surgery. i hope i got my organs right lol i wouldn't worry she'll be fine, i think it's one of those unecessary organs

kellybean Posted: Oct 22, 2007 08:34 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

I need mine out....there can be many causes causes for the problem...most common being gall stones which are very painful...however there is also gall bladders that dysfunction ...this is normally tested by doing a Hyda scan ( sorry about spelling) its a very easy surgery if they do it laproscopicly ( again my damn spelling) its normally done on an out patient basis.....what hosp is she at???

ChristineAaron08 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 08:34 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

My mother had hers taken out years ago. She would get sharp pains in her side if a stone was passing and would go to the ER.

The stones are calcium and fat deposits that harden- thats all i really know.

They can usualy do the surgery laproscopic now. Once she had hers out- she was fine.

I hope his mom feels better soon.

bigrd37 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 08:45 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

I've had 2 friends this year that had their gall bladders removed. it has something to do with the types of food you eat and the fat that deposits in there. it is very painful.

i don't know if there is just one procedure to remove them, but my friend had hers removed through her belly button!!!

dancinmyazoff Posted: Oct 22, 2007 09:04 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

Thanks for all the info guys

DNS91308 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 09:19 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

Posted by dancinmyazoff

Thanks for all the info guys

I had mine out..... i had stones.... they run in my family no one on my fathers side has one. I have three little scars on my abdomen, you cant even see them. FM me if you need more info....

mrspalomino148 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:01 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

my mom and FMIL have both gotten theres taken out ... Its very painful to deal with, and honestly just better out if its giving you pain. My mom kept telling my FMIL to make sure she stay up straight, so that when the stitches heal it won't pull ((usually you will lean to your side afterwards because of the pain, but make sure she doesn't do that to much, it will hurt worse later on)) .. theres certain foods she will not be able to eat, acidic things are not so good, like tomatoes and such.. and most of all feel better!!!

Julybride08 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:05 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

my mom had hers out last year. she never had any symptons untill she started to have really bad pain. she said it's the worst pain to be in. Once they removed it she was fine. they did it laproscopicly. So no big surgery and she was out the same day. She hasn't had any problems since.

JimmysPants Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:06 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

Its more common than you think. I had mine out and in most cases youre home the next day. Hope she gets well sooon.

BNBride60 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:10 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

i know a lotttttt about this!!!

FH was having HORRIBLE stabbing pains in his side (where his gallbladder was). one night, we had chili for dinner and he woke up in the middle of the night SCREAMING. he has a very high threshold for pain and he has only called in sick to work once in 5 years of us being together, so he was resisting going to the hospital.

i made him go and they immediately knew it was his gall bladder. more specifically, he had gall stones. your gall bladder stores bile and squirts it into your digestive system to help it digest fatty goods, so the stones are usually irritated after eating something fatty (for my FH, it was chili). removing the gallbladder is a very standard procedure - the surgeon who removed FH's said she removes 150 per year. they do it laproscopically - meaning they don't even slice you open - they make 3 small holes and then fill you up with gas so that your stomach gets big and they can stick a camera in one hole and go in with the surgical instruments through the others. This way you only have 3 tiny scars.

It took FH 2 weeks to recover, but he is 100% fine and the loss of the gallbladder has no effect on him.

I am sure your FMIL will be ok!

040508Bride Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:18 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

gall bladders can form gall stones, when they have stones or show + signs of disease, they perform a cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) often referred to as a 'chole, or lap chole (if it is performed laparoscopically)'. Generally they are quick procedures with a quick recovery time. I was in the ER thursday and they thought that was what was wrong with me, but so far all of my tests are negative and inconclusive.

040508Bride Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:20 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

Posted by kristi313

it has something to do with fat, you don't necessarily have to be overweight for it to be a problem, it basically has something to do with the amount of fat you take in. i believe too much can irritate the gall bladder and make it very painful. it's not an uncommon surgery. i hope i got my organs right lol i wouldn't worry she'll be fine, i think it's one of those unecessary organs

It's not always about fat, it can just be a symptomatic gall bladder.

Valor06 Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:42 AM

Re: Does anyone know anything about 'Gall Bladders'

It is common. It might be gall stones. From what I remember when a family member had problems with their gall bladder is that you can remove some of it and be fine.