# ER visit tonight, my gall bladder it's plotting against me **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2013, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701 "2013-12-19T08:23:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/21 "2013-12-20T19:58:21Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > The gall bladder is one of three organs that can be removed from the human body with no ill effects (the others are tonsils and appendix). … I’ve already had my appendix and tonsils out, seems like I should just go for the trifecta! ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2013, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/22 "2013-12-21T10:12:54Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > But this is the perfect reason for a baconpalooza post op at home, you need to assess how highly fatty foods [like bacon] affect you now your gall bladder has been removed! > > 😃 Outstanding idea my friend, simply outstanding! If all your thoughts are this brilliant perhaps you might have a newsletter I could subscribe to? 😃 I’ll start working the idea to my wife and with any luck shortly after surgery it’ll be Baconpalooza II - Electric Bugaloo! ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/23 "2013-12-21T16:02:47Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Outstanding idea my friend, simply outstanding! If all your thoughts are this brilliant perhaps you might have a newsletter I could subscribe to? 😃 > > I’ll start working the idea to my wife and with any luck shortly after surgery it’ll be Baconpalooza II - Electric Bugaloo! If I grab my [Larousse Gastronomique](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larousse_Gastronomique) I can flip to the Bs and find ‘baconnade’ which is a meal based pretty much entirely around products of piggy origin and menu plan something that has fresh or preserved pig in everything [and add bacon dipped in chocolate for dessert’ … 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Happyasaclam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7c8e57/32.png) [@Happyasaclam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happyasaclam)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/24 "2014-01-02T17:10:22Z")
You know, after reading this thread again, I love misery and recalling that gut wrenching wave of pain gall bladder used to put me through, I just shake my head. If I had just eaten healthy and avoided so much fat and alcohol. If only I had said no to so many fatty foods. if only…( I sound like a character in the Wizard of Oz) How are you feeling now op? ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/25 "2014-01-02T20:54:37Z")
> [@Happyasaclam](#): > > Sadly, I was butchered by a doctor after an emergency removal of said organ. . . . I have a scar from the middle of my stomach to the belly button. > Recovery was nasty with staples and everything. > This was back in 1992. . . . . For what it’s worth, that sounds like a typical old-style removal. I had one in 1983. By 1992, it might have been surgeon’s choice. (Pause for googling.) Yep. According to a [medscape article:](http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1582292-overview) > [@](#): > > In 1990, 10% of cholecystectomies were being performed laparoscopically. By 1995, 10 years after the introduction of LC, close to 80% of cholecystectomies were being performed laparoscopically. So in 1992, the odds favored you getting the old style surgery by a good bit. In 1983, the lap tools hadn’t been proven, so I was guaranteed the old style. Even today, there is a chance that conditions will cause a surgeon to switch to the open style. Old style gall bladder removals are not dangerous, but they are a big insult to the body and recovery takes a long time. It cuts a lot of abdominal muscles and nerves. It was years before the numbness of the skin between the scar and my belly button went away. It was months before my abdominal muscles were strong enough to allow regular daily movement (walking, carrying things) without causing backaches because the back muscles were having to overcompensate. It’s a deep surgery and you’ll get a lot of respiratory therapy in the days after to be sure that your lungs don’t collapse just because the size of the opening allows the possibility of room air pressure against the outside of the lungs. Also because it’s deep, other organs have to be lifted out of the way and membranes have to be cut to allow that. I’ll always be grateful that my sister, who was familiar with the operation, didn’t share any specifics until after I was up and around. When I woke up, there was an inch-thick pad taped across my entire abdomen. Every nurse who came in to check on me the first day would touch it, frown, touch it some more and say “there’s no drainage!” So apparently, even with staples, there’s usually significant drainage. I’m glad I missed that. If you didn’t, you have my sympathy. In fact, you have my sympathy for the whole thing. For me, the only good thing about the open surgery was that the pain just afterwards was still smaller than a good, full gallstone attack. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/26 "2014-01-03T15:32:02Z")
Personal update: I saw the medical gastric doc today, and stuff is happening. One of my many imaging sessions found sludge in my GB, which is an indicator for removal. I have a referral to a surgeon, and an endoscopy, colonoscopy, and MRCP MRI all in short order. Plus a buttload of labs. If anyone is interested, I’ll update as things happen. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/27 "2014-01-03T16:30:30Z")
Please do keep us updated! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/28 "2014-01-03T19:19:43Z")
Yes! Keep us updated. I’m curious why all the scoping and scans and labs, though. I just had an ultrasound and basic cbc/chem. Are there other GI issues they’re hoping to address during surgery? Hope you’re feeling better very soon! ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/29 "2014-01-03T19:31:03Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Yes! Keep us updated. I’m curious why all the scoping and scans and labs, though. I just had an ultrasound and basic cbc/chem. Are there other GI issues they’re hoping to address during surgery? Hope you’re feeling better very soon! The endoscopy and the MRCP MRI is because I’ve had a gastric bypass, and that complicates things. However, I think the colonoscopy is because I’m older that 50 and just another asshole with insurance… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/30 "2014-01-03T20:52:41Z")
Oh, wow, I hope you can still have the laproscopy after all is checked out. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/31 "2014-01-03T20:59:20Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Oh, wow, I hope you can still have the laproscopy after all is checked out. If I have a clear bile duct (the point of the MRI), then I can have a lap procedure. The endoscopy is to rule out small intestine related issues. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/32 "2014-01-20T22:49:53Z")
Update: I just got back from the hospital and an no longer sporting a gall bladder. The surgery went well, the only thing bothering me it’s my stomach hurts like hell where the incisions were made. Feels like I’ve been kicked in the gut However, I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who replied to my questions on this issue. With any luck I’ll be eating bacon again soon! ---
**Author:** ![compositejoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/compositejoe/32/7232_2.png) [@compositejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/compositejoe)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/33 "2014-01-20T22:59:24Z")
> [@Dereknocue67](#): > > Mine was removed about 3 years ago and I see absolutely no change in lifestyle. My grandmother had hers removed almost 10 years ago, and the operation almost killed her due to it being botched up! ☹ She was left in intensive care as a result for nearly a whole month. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/34 "2014-01-20T23:13:57Z")
For the longest time I thought the gall bladder was where urine was stored before it was expelled from the body. WRONG! The urinary bladder is different than the gall bladder. It is the urinary bladder that stores urine before it is expelled from the body. I thought I’d like to post that for the benefit of anyone else who may be confused about the difference between those two bladders. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/35 "2014-01-20T23:36:09Z")
Oh, for a FYI, the hospital under no circumstances will allow you to take home your organ they just removed in a little jar. Hell they would even give it to me in a ziplock bag. I thought it might be cool to use at Halloween, but apparently anything a doctor fished out of your body becomes property if the hospital.☹ ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/36 "2014-01-20T23:43:11Z")
Another update: As of this morning, I have a date for Feb 17th to lose mine. Yee and haw! ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/37 "2014-01-21T00:00:35Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > Another update: As of this morning, I have a date for Feb 17th to lose mine. Yee and haw! Congrats, the good news is the surgery (at least for me) was a walk in the park. The only pain I’m really feeling is my stomach. It feels as if I was kicked. Other than that it’s been smooth sailing. I wish you luck. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/38 "2014-01-21T00:41:33Z")
Good to hear, **obbn**! Did they give you a belly wrap? I wore mine constantly for the first 5 days, and then during the day at work for another week. It really helped, especially when I needed to cough or sneeze. I wore it pretty tight. Do have a pillow handy for coughing or sneezing, hug it against your abdomen really hard if you need to sneeze, 'cause that really hurts if you don’t for about 5 days! Here’s hoping you and **Vunder** have the same ultimate result as mine - bacon, fried chicken, super buttery potatoes, etc., no problem! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/39 "2014-01-21T05:26:51Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Update: I just got back from the hospital and an no longer sporting a gall bladder. The surgery went well, the only thing bothering me it’s my stomach hurts like hell where the incisions were made. Feels like I’ve been kicked in the gut > > However, I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who replied to my questions on this issue. With any luck I’ll be eating bacon again soon! Be sure to tell all your other organs that this is a warning against any who would plot against you. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701/40 "2014-01-21T06:26:00Z")
Here’s [my thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13512681), I had… complicated surgery (the old fashioned kind ) but I eat what I like & have no ill effects. YMMV. Keep in mind that your Bowels may decide to go on strike afterwards, which, on top of the whole recovering from surgery thing is… markedly unpleasant. You may want to take some proactive measures. Trust me on this. Anyhow, Good Luck! _HUGS_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/er-visit-tonight-my-gall-bladder-its-plotting-against-me/676701.md?page=3)