What would you do? Re: Gallbladder Operation

[FishyCustard]

Hi all, I've been lurking on this board for a while. I've been having gallstone attacks for around two years, and have been admitted to hospital with acute pains and an infection twice. I have been waiting for an operation for just over a year now.

I started LCHF a few months ago after being diagnosed with PCOS. I wasn't worried much about the fertility issues (happy with two dc) but was very concerned about the insulin resistance side of it.

Since I've been following LCHF my PCOS have vanished, I haven't had any gallbladder attacks. I used to get inflamed back and joint pain in the mornings, which has also completely vanished.

A letter has arrived today offering me an operation...and I'm now in two minds about it. I have no symptoms any more (ironically since I've been eating a lot more fat) and I've also heard of someone who was left unable to eat anything fatty at all after her op (it gave her terrible cramps, sickness and the runs for the rest of her life if she ate over a certain amount of fat)

I really don't want that to happen, I don't want to lose all the health benefits that I've gained these last few months (I feel so fantastic I never want to touch a carb again)

Dh thinks I may be asking for trouble and that my problems will probably come back eventually.

What would you do?

[Chugalug]

100% have the op....it's a worse pain than child birth...I got carted of with blue lights twice ,due to it.its not a big op.you recover quick...there is no sensible reason not to have it

[Chugalug]

I've just realised your doing low carb high fat.....seriously???!!. It's fat you need to avoid..have they not told you that?

[holdmybeer]

I had my gallbladder removed 11 years ago. I have had zero complications from surgery compared to the unpredictable flare ups I suffered prior to that. I suffered a very expensive flare up on holiday in America where my insurance refused to cover me as it was a pre-existing condition. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend surgery to anyone but I know others have not been so fortunate following surgery.

[FishyCustard]

I went low carb high fat after my PCOS diagnosis.

I was getting regular gallbladder pain before, even when not having a full attack there was always a low level pain there.

After three days on LCHF it completely went away.

[hevonbu]

What would you do?

I would watch this one-hour video and then decide:
vimeo.com/178986447

The video is part of the course "Easing the burden of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease" by Sydney University, a free online course (a so-called MOOC) starting at the end of the week, link here: www.coursera.org/learn/easing-the-burden-of-obesity-diabetes-cvd/home/info

I'm following the course now, seems good, interesting.

[FishyCustard]

Oh wow hevonbu I just feel dizzy now, have been told so many different things!

[lettuceWrap]

Is your low carb diet gluten free by any chance? Given the very swift resolution of your symptoms (the back and joint pain too), I’m wondering if much of your gallbladder issues are related to inflammation caused by a food sensitivity. I know gluten (in gluten sensitive people), can cause incomplete, slow emptying of the gallbladder- causing sludge, stones, infection (if you google it you’ll find some papers about it).

In your position, I wouldn’t (and didn’t!), have the op. I’m now LCHF (gluten free), and I still have my gallbladder quite a few years later. I also had a very swift resolution of various symptoms (and other medical complaints which resolved or reduced after a number of months on the diet).

[hevonbu]

You could always ask to have it postponed and see how everything works out for you. Surely they'd agree to that, assuming they don't want to operate on people if there's another cure. Couldn't you discuss it with your doctors?

[BIWI]

First, just to say how amazing it is that your PCOS symptoms have gone. I think, from other posts/posters it can be quite difficult to get under control, so this is great news.

And second, how amazing that the gallbladder problem seems to have gone!

I'm not a medic at all. But I have to say that if I was in your position, why would I want an operation that apparently I no longer have any need for? Any surgery is risky - not to say potentially painful. I wouldn't have it, if it were me.