[MERGED] Cholelithiasis ( Gallbladder Stones )

[Abominable]

Umiinom ako ng Rowachol para matunaw yung gall stones pero may side effects siya: naninilaw yung katawan ko.
Pwedeng paki-explain ito tsaka yung mga posibleng dahilan kung bakit nagkaroon ako ng gall stones.

[Ira]

Bile is formed in the liver from bile acids (lipid-dissolving agents), cholesterol, minerals and phospholipids. This is then transported to the gallbladder where it is stored. Normally, the bile remains liquid. But when bile contains a high amount of cholesterol, or when the bile flow slows down, the cholesterol may crystallize to form a stone. Less commonly, other elements of bile, such as bilirubin, may precipitate out, causing bilirubin stones (pigment stones).

Predisposing factors include aging, obesity, family history, pregnancy, estrogen use, and eating a Western diet. Many believe diet is the most important factor--gallstones rarely develop in populations that eat a more traditional, unrefined diet.

[Abominable]

Mas advisable bang magpaopera na lang kesa ituloy ko yung medication? Pero wala na naman akong nararamdaman nung sinimulan ko yung medication.

[MEM]

Get will soon Mr. Abominable!

[Ira]

It depends on a lot of factors--whether you have recurring biliary colic, how many stones you have, history of gallstone pancreatitis, a history of symptomatic chronic cholecystitis, appearance of the gallbladder, etc. etc. It's not possible to give you any advice without knowing your whole medical history as well as your biliary tree ultrasound findings. If your surgeon says that it's okay to just observe for now, then do so. Presence of gallstones in an otherwise asymptomatic patient is not an automatic indication for surgery.

[dizzyr]

mr/ms abominable, alam ba nang surgeon mo na naninilaw ka?

kong hindi, mabuti seguro kong alam nya.

mayroon akong kilalang may medyo pareho ang problema nya sa iyo. yong tinatawag na "painless jaundice". enopera sya dahil yong gall stone nya lumiit dahil sa rowachol pero na laglag galing sa gall bladder papunta sa "ducto common" daw. dahil noon, nag backup ang bile nya at naninilaw shya.

good luck.

[Abominable]

Isa lang yung gall stone na nakuha sa akin!

Yung physician ko yung tito ko. Sabi niya makukuha daw sa gamot. Alam niyang naninilaw ako.
So may possibility pa lang malaglag yung stone. In that case ba wala nang solusyon kundi ang mag-undergo ng operation.
How long is the recuperating period in case I will be confined?

[Ira]

Depends on what procedure you undergo. If you undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy, you'd be out by the 3rd day post-op at the latest, usual length 1-2 days post-op. ERCP papillotomy also takes around 1 day. If you undergo open cholecystectomy, you'd probably stay 4-5 days in hospital post-op.

[Abominable]

By that time, can you safely say that I am "completely healed"? Or do I have to stay at home for a few more days just to ensure a safe recovery? I am afraid that I will miss so much of my studies and not be able to catch up. It's so tough not to attend classes because all of them are fast-paced.

[Abominable]

Can you suggest a well-balanced diet for me? Or something to at least lessen the yellowish complexion?

[Ira]

By "completely healed", as long as the stone is completely removed, then yes, you'll be healed. There will be some pains due to surgery, but your going back to regular activities would depend on you. You generally can resume normal activities immediately after laparascopic cholecystectomy or ERCP papillotomy, but if you choose not to be active or you have a very low tolerance for pain, then you can't really resume your previous activities. It's really your call.

Eating vegetables and fiber, taking a lot of fluids, and lessening fat, alcohol, and sugar intake may help, but unless your stone is removed or gets dissolved, changing your diet is no guarantee that your jaundice will improve or disappear.

[Abominable]

I had an open cholecystectomy and I stayed for over a week in the hospital. They removed my gall bladder and found a stone. I am still recuperating but I already attended classes. My questions:
1. What are the implications of not having a gall bladder?
2. Please explain the functions of that organ?
3. Can I still eat beef like humburgers?
4. If yes, after how long will it be okay to eat beef? It's hard to watch my diet especially when I am at school and there are not that much choices in terms of restos to choose from.

[Ira]

Originally posted by Abominable
1. What are the implications of not having a gall bladder?

No implications. If the surgery was done properly and you don't have any retained stones or anything like that, you're back to "normal".

2. Please explain the functions of that organ?

It's just to store bile, which is produced in the liver. Even without the gallbladder, bile is still produced, but instead of getting stored, it's released in a continuous, slow trickle into the intestine. You can live without the gallbladder.

3. Can I still eat beef like humburgers?

Of course.

4. If yes, after how long will it be okay to eat beef? It's hard to watch my diet especially when I am at school and there are not that much choices in terms of restos to choose from.

Usually, most patients do not have digestive problems after surgery, although a minor population will experience bloatedness and diarrhea after eating a high-fat diet because of inadequate bile in the intestine. The surgeon will ask you to initially order you to have a low-fat diet after surgery while your digestive system is still recuperating, but this is temporary. You can usually return to normal diet after a time--by "normal" I don't mean a high-fat diet but a balanced diet. Occassional intake of fat afterwards will not cause any tummy problems, although it would be dumb to tempt fate by eating, say, chicharon with hamburgers, kare kare and bulalo even if surgery has been done long ago. It would be better to ask your general surgeon for a clearance to how soon you can eat hamburgers, since he knows your case personally.

[Abominable]

I am so anxious about some misconceptions that if you no longer have a gall bladder, it is pretty hard to digest beef.
A lot of people are actually advising me not to eat beef on a regular basis.
Questions:
1) Suppose I already went back to my normal diet, if I eat hamburgers on a daily basis, will it cause another stone to re-occur?
2) Can you give me the nutritional benefits of the following:
Hipon, Squid, Galunggong, Kangkong, Sayote, Upo, Ampalaya, dahon ng malunggay, Kamatis, Baguio beans and carrots.

I am so interested to know the vegetables and seafood that I am eating and it would contribute to my comfort if I know what my body is receiving.

[Ira]

You know, it's not healthy to eat beef on a daily basis anyway, with or without a gallbladder. As I've said, most patients do not experience problems after surgery, and a minor population do. I don't know if your liver's bile production is enough, but if it is, you can eat your beef everyday. This is a case-to-case basis. If you develop diarrhea and bloatedness, then you know you've exceeded your limit. The feeling would be uncomfortable, but it's not going to kill you. As for the nutritional benefits of the foods you cited, having no gallbladder does not change their nutritional value. They're mostly vegetables and are thus high in fiber, so it's okay to eat them. But don't expect any magic potions or anything. Open cholecystectomy does not make you a permanent invalid. Your only limitation would be oily food.

[Abominable]

What about donuts and chocolates? Is it okay to eat them regularly as long as the quantity is relatively small?

[Ira]

Yes. You can eat ANYTHING within reason.

[Abominable]

Is it possible to have a stone again in the future?

[Ira]

Since you don't have a gallbladder anymore, you can't have gallstones.

[Abominable]

What will happen to the cholesterol I take? Let say I haven't learned my lesson and still excessively eat too much of fat and cholesterol, will it form a stone somewhere else?