The gall bladder is a peach-pit-sized organ nestled beneath the liver. Its purpose is to temporarily store bile passing from the liver into the digestive tract, which is then used to aid digestion of fat.
When more fat is consumed, more bile is produced.
The gall bladder should function by “pumping” bile at a steady pace. When someone has gallstones, the path into the biliary tree is blocked, causing pain.
In my case, there are no stones, however, from time to time, the flow of bile decreases to a weak trickle, and the bladder begins to fill up, expand, and push up into the liver, like a bloated water balloon.
The liver, sitting just under the lower right ribcage, leans into the ribs, causing pain as the gall bladder becomes distended.
This goes on for weeks. Eventually, something causes the gall bladder to drain like it’s supposed to. It could be having a beer — I had a pint on Sunday and the next day I felt fine. Who knows. But I know I’m not cured. The thing just doesn’t work.
You know when your car has a problem, where it runs poorly or makes a noise for a week or so, but then it’s fine again, so you put off getting it fixed, but then the problem returns? Cars don’t fix themselves, nor do lazy gall bladders.
So mine is coming out on Friday. This evolutionary throwback will be removed, and the bile will flow directly from the liver into the intestine, with no pit stop along the way. It is a common surgery, yet I am still nervous, having never been cut into in such a way before, nor put into a deep sleep in this way. There will be scars. Small ones.
Good thoughts will be much appreciated.
Hardcore!
Good luck with the surgery! Hope the recovery is fast!
Re: Hardcore!
thank you, me too!
May you have a quick speedy and complete recovery without delay!
thanks 🙂
I’m sorry that you’re hurting right now!! I know it’s scary, but surgery has gotten really really good in the last 20 years. Most things are just tiny little cuts instead of big ones now. And, the gall bladder doesn’t get close to any brand-name nerves or arteries, or so that lessens your trouble. Also, it’s small, only holds two ounces or so, think a double espresso. And you’re healthy already, which is going to make it a real breeze for you. And if you want to get all metaphysical about it, perhaps this is a dose of bad stuff to be followed with good things!
Anyhow, I wish you a speedy recovery and a pleasant procedure. Just don’t let those nerves tear you up! Best!
thanks so much!
Sending good thoughts! I hope your surgery goes well.
thank you! I appreciate it.
good luck and a speedy recovery! hope you are pain free and your LJ is bile-free 🙂
thanks, pal
Thank you for sharing this with us. Good luck, I’ll be pulling for you.
Good luck. Safe recovery.
You’ll do fine and have a speedy recovery!
My mom had hers out in 1979 and it was a much more invasive surgery and she was fine, aside from the fact that a baby me forgot her while she was in the hospital. And my best friend had hers out a few years ago — she acted like it was nothing.
Sending some positive energy your way for a safe surgery and a speedy recovery.
Best thoughts, Janey! You’ll be fine. Maybe they’ll give you awesome bionic implants while you’re under!
I will be praying for you tomorrow, maybe this has had an effect on getting pg? Actually you did have anesthetic before with your wisdom teeth, although that may have been shorter acting.Love, Mom
Just wanted to wish you well with the surgery! I’ve had several friends (and my mom) have the surgery–all have said they have felt so much better afterwards.
Today is Friday and I am thinking of you. I hope all goes well.