Gallbladder removal: And I win that complication award.

[RHCD 241]

So coming up on my 4 month post sleeve I needed going back in to have my gallbladder removed. Yep I’m that lucky 25% ish of WLS patients who need it removed. I had asymptotic stones prior to surgery but the loss of almost 80lbs in 4-5 months likely is what tipped it to angry and needing the gallbladder out.

Surgery and recovery are less painful than the sleeve so far. However the pain leading up to needing it removed was no joke.

Leading up to needing it out had me at urgent care who sent me to ER who ended up passing me off with a if it pain gets worse or additional symptoms to come back. The Mr and I weren’t happy. Went to my sleeve’s surgeons office the next day who took one look at me and my lab work up then said if she had the surgery slot that day would have done it. She didn’t have a slot so back to the ER I go but she called ahead. This time they gave me pain meds pretty much once I got back to an ER room (2-3 hours after I walked in). Got my 2nd ultrasound (same tech from night before and was floored they didn’t take it out the night before). 2nd ultrasound showed my gallbladder was even more angry.

Got scheduled for surgery the next am and was checked in to the hospital overnight. My sleeve surgeon was doing rounds that morning and came in and checked in on me. She wasn’t the one doing my surgery but it was totally surprising to see her check in on me.

So now I have 9 scars on my belly from laparoscopic surgery. 5 from the sleeve and 4 from the gallbladder. At some point I’m going to connect all the dots to see what fun shapes they form;)

Surgeon’s comment once I was back in my room was oh it was super angry and needing to come out.

Moral of the story: pain in upper right quadrant is something not to mess with.

I’m hoping to getting back to my walking and eating schedule in the next few days. Hard part is I can’t lift anything over a gallon of milk for at least 2-4 weeks. So that means the dog can’t got with me nor can I start back up with yoga or some of the other cardio type classes I was looking at. Nor can I really work in my yard which I love doing. Does mean my Mr gets to pick up most of the chores until I can again.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

Wow, that's awful. Glad it's out and you're on the mend. Appreciate the warning!

[Frustr8 7,886]

Not raining,on your parade, just amplification. Mama had her gall out one fall, shortly afterwards I started having symptoms, in truth I had symptoms when carrying baby #3, ob-gyn poo'pooed me. Had excuses Baby just kicking, Way baby's laying yadah yadah. When I showed signs again Mama. said I was just envious( Hunh?) Finally put my foot down and said I'm having it checked out, lo and behold I did have a gall bladder full of stones. turned jaundiced, yellow as a 🍋

[RHCD 241]

No worries. I’m not surprised you had to put your foot too.

I’m pretty sure the first ER doc saw my blood work was normal and I went in with pain under 5 unless poked at he wrote me off. Being just obese and a women I hope didn’t influence his decision making but I’m second guessing that train of thought.

Being persistent helps and by night #2 even my MR who usually follows my lead was about to go all upset husband on them.