To just have my gallbladder removed privately if I can afford it?

[MoveYourArmsLikeHenry]

I have been suffering from gallstone pain for several years, only finding out the cause earlier this year. I went to see the consultant a month ago, feeling relieved that the ball is rolling and something may be done to stop these awful pains.

The consultant doesn't want to remove my gallbladder :( he wants me to lose weight to control it, which is fair enough, have been trying for a month now. And also said I'm am very young (nearly 26) for gallstones, surgery isn't necessary right now, let's try losing weight and improving overall health first and review you again in 6 months.

All well and lovely. Except I am still having these godawful bastarding pains :( even if I am not having an attack, the right side of my back feels like someone has struck it repeatedly with an iron bar, nearly everyday and I can't take it anymore :(

Wibu to say sod the 6 month review, I am in daily pain, and see about having it removed privately? I feel like because I am fat and young they are just fobbing me off but I cat bear the agony of it any more.

Well I had a minor attack earlier after eating 2 Jaffa cakes. I was at the pool and had to leave dh with dds and sit in the car to moan in pain.
It passed quickly tho, was that because it was only slightly fatty do you think?

If I remember correctly I don't think Jaffa cakes contain that much fat?? Calories and sugar yes.
Could be the orange - a lot of GS sufferers can't have anything citrus - I'm not sure why it kicks it off but for some, myself included it just does.

It's a fucking sad day when a jaffa cake makes you suffer Led :( Get yourself back to the GP/consultant and embellish about the attacks - looks like you won't need to 'lie' too much.

Cheers carb they have one gram each so hardly laden with fat. Chocolate is a trigger so maybe that. I had hot tea with them,I've often thought that says me off.
Had scan today, seeing consultant on 22.

Ledkr

Your posts are bringing back so many bad memories.

The pain I got felt like I was in turn being stabbed through my right hand side as well as being crushed, completely horrendous and wish any commissioner who feels it is 'non essential' can experience an attack soon

So not too long then for the appt.
I'd tell them you're having attacks every day, even from non fat things and it's affecting your quality of life, with dc to look after it's becoming a nightmare etc..etc...

It may be a bit evil and uncharitable girlie but those that make decisions regarding 'non essential' should know what it bloody feels like then see if they'd still make people suffer. So I agree with you :)

Biliary Colic is often associated with bloating and the pain typically is an band like pain across the top of the abdomen and frequently radiated round to the back.
Carbediem - GallStones are usually radiolucent meaning not calcified although they can be. They are still all called gallstones and can cause problems. Although single big stones often cause very bad pain (ironically they are called solitaires) but small ones are more worrying as they can slip down the tube /duct causing jaundice and pancreatitis and then need fishing out with endoscopy before the gallbladder can safely be removed.

It is completely true that rapid weight loss causes gallstones to form. Steady weight loss once you have GS makes surgery a little easier but at the end of day if you have bad pain you shouldn't wait to lose weight to have surgery as most of us are realistic and know that if it was so easy to lose weight you would have done it already.

Just get on the phone to the GP out of hours / A&E every time you have a bad attack