The light at the end of the tunnel is a bloody great train............

[WkdSM]

Went to docs in January thinking I was starting the menopause, just wanted some advice really about coping with it holistically. She seemed concerned about the symptoms and referred me for various tests and couple of different specialists - had all sorts of scans, cameras etc in places you would not include in your holiday pictures.

Last one was an upper abdominal ultrasound (which I thought was a bit random). Doc called me 2 days later and put me straight onto a surgeon. Saw him 2 days ago and he says my gall bladder wall is thickening but there are no stones. He pushed hard for me to have it out - went through other tests I could have but explained it would not alter fact that gall bladder is likely to be suffering 'malignancies'.

Am booked in for op - but am in a bit of a flat spin.
Anyone had their gall bladder out and how was it afterwards (all sorts of horror stories around).

I've kept saying to myself that it is all probably the menopause - but now am really a bit scared. I am trying not to do the 'what if' game...........

I know a woman who had her gall bladder removed about 13 years ago. She's fine.

Use a distraction technique to help stop the 'what ifs'.

My dgd has his removed about 20 years ago. He was rushed in on a blue light one night, and a week later was pretty much fine.
I know they've improved the technique since then. I think most people have it done as keyhole. His was full opening.

I had mine out 2 years ago. It was a 4 hour op. bit sore afterwards, 4 incisions, good pain relief. 143 stones in total. I stayed in overnight.

Recovery was quick. But I kept moving from day 1. Stood tall from the outset and this helped the healing process. You can hardly see the scars now.