Re: Gall bladder surgery

LuvSoCal · ‎07-18-2010

@kate2357 wrote:
Had emergency gall bladder removal about 3 years ago. It was removed via laparoscopic procedure. Was very happy to have those stomach pains go away. Recovery went fine. No pain or any pain medication required. I followed doctor's after surgery recommendations regarding approved activities.

For myself, food afterwards caused me to need to be close to a bathroom after eating. Even eating good fats, like olive oil, avocados...etc., caused me problems. Someone on boards suggested taking bile salts. I discussed bile salts with my primary and she had no issues/concerns. You may want to ask your doc about taking this supplement.

I take this brand and only take 1 with each meal. If I have 2 meals, I take 1 at each meal.

Good luck. I am sure you will be happy tono longer have those painful attacks.

@kate2357 What does this supplement do?

I've had gallstones since my 40s but still have my gallbladder (I don't have attacks). Yes, good fats cause me problems, too. I can't enjoy a piece of salmon without fear that it's going to upset my stomach.

I was going to discuss this with my PCP during my next appt. but was wondering if I might benefit from taking something like this. I know that surgery doesn't necessarily resolve the issue.

kate2357 · ‎02-26-2012

@LuvSoCal

i can only tell you what they have done for me, which is to relieve digestive issues. This particular product has digestive enzymes and ox bile extract, which for me, has been the right combination. I have tried other brands without as much success. But everyone is different. I buy this from Amazon and the reviews include people who still have their gall bladder.

I am VERY diligent about taking with my meal and 99% of the time I can eat foods without issue. It's been a product that has allowed me to have a more normal life vs having those intestinal pains that mean you need to rush to the nearest bathroom. Ugh.

But please talk with your primary doc. I had no idea I had gall bladder problems/stones. I thought I just was getting more sensitive tummy because I was getting old.

"What we practice daily is what we build a life on. Practice peace, love & kindness."

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I bought Bilex before surgery. It didn't help at all.

If you have gall stones, it won't do a thing.

Whenever you eat something oily, your gall bladder secrets bile into the small intestine where it begins to help with digestion.

If you have stones, they will block the bile duct and get stuck. When that happens, your body attempts to dislodge the stone. What it feels like is a really painful

" Charley horse" on the right side of the chest area.

The pain will double you over and take your breath away. It will last until that stone is dislodged, which could be a few minutes or a few hours. The only help is to get the gall bladder removed. I had one attack that lasted 8 hours while on vacation. That was the deciding factor for me. the gall bladder had to go.

Some people take Bilex after gall bladder removal to help with digestion. I tried it, but found it wasn't necessary for me.

If you get the painful spasms in your gall bladder, forget Bilex....it's not going to work.

If you have trouble with digestion after surgery, give it a try.

shoesnbags · ‎03-10-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@shoesnbags. I don't know about you, but that big Ole scar ruined me for bikini wearing. Ah, the burdens we must bear.

@Kachina624

Oh yeah, at 21 that was a major issue. Six months after the surgery I honeymooned in Jamaica - in a much hated one piece suit. My scar is really ugly, even after all these years.☹️

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett

Mom in NY · ‎03-10-2010

I want to thank all of you for your advice and good wishes

LuvSoCal · ‎07-18-2010

@Carmie wrote:
I bought Bilex before surgery. It didn't help at all.

If you have gall stones, it won't do a thing.

Whenever you eat something oily, your gall bladder secrets bile into the small intestine where it begins to help with digestion.

If you have stones, they will block the bile duct and get stuck. When that happens, your body attempts to dislodge the stone. What it feels like is a really painful
" Charley horse" on the right side of the chest area.

The pain will double you over and take your breath away. It will last until that stone is dislodged, which could be a few minutes or a few hours. The only help is to get the gall bladder removed. I had one attack that lasted 8 hours while on vacation. That was the deciding factor for me. the gall bladder had to go.

Some people take Bilex after gall bladder removal to help with digestion. I tried it, but found it wasn't necessary for me.

If you get the painful spasms in your gall bladder, forget Bilex....it's not going to work.

If you have trouble with digestion after surgery, give it a try.

@Carmie Yes, I remember doubling over with that awful pain. That's what prompted me to seek medical attention back in my 40s. I was shocked when told that I had gallstones. So much so, that I sought a second opinion.

For some reason, those attacks have stopped (thankfully). I haven't had one in probably 30 yrs. I now suffer from the digestive issues that @kate2357 talked about. I have always limited my intake of fried foods but the good fats seem to cause me discomfort now too.

Wow, I can't imagine having to endure an attack for 8 hrs. Mine would always subside after laying down and stretching out for a few minutes.

I will discuss the possibility of gallbladder removal, although, I'd rather avoid surgery, if possible.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@LuvSoCal My attacks used to last about 20 minutes...right after lunch. I usually ate a salad....oily dressing. I had no idea what the problem was at the time.

I was sent to the nurse at work. When I couldn't lay down or even sit, she said " that's your gall bladder."

I had a couple of 20 to 30 minutes episodes over about a year.

We went to Williamsburg,VA for a long weekend and I ate spareribs at a restaurant. I got up from sleeping in terrible pain. I was thinking about calling an ambulance or waking my husband up, but put up with the worst pain all night long thinking I might die.

When I got back home, I called the doctor. I had had enough. I had three golf ball size calcified gall stones. They were so hard, they couldn't be broken up and had to removed whole.

I did all those weight reducing diets that were causing gall bladder issues....go figure. I can't win.

I am glad Bilex works for you. If it works, no need for surgery. If you need surgery, you will 100% know it.

My surgeon told me they give morphine for gall bladder pain and she had no idea how I could stand it for eight hours...I should have gone to the ER.

Once for that long a time was enough for me.

LuvSoCal · ‎07-18-2010

@Carmie Golf ball size! No wonder you were in so much pain. The last ultrasound I had done about 4 yrs ago confirmed the stones were still there but relatively small.

No, I haven't tried the Bilex product yet. I'm going to discuss this whole issue with my PCP during my next appt. I'm really tired of dealing with gastrointestinal issues. It's just so much easier eating at home since they can be unpredictable.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

My husband had this done about a month ago. Everyone is different. Of all the stuff I read, my husband, aced it. So, take it with a grain of salt. Everyone's different.