Update on Sister In Law...

[seawasp]

... Maria came home yesterday (I was working, alas).

She had appendicitis, so the appendix was removed. The doctor also looked at her gallbladder while she had Maria open, and notified her afterwards that there's something seriously wrong there,too. (Unfortunately, she would have had to give permission to remove it at that point, and as she was under general anaesthesia at the time there was no way to ask her...). The good news is that the gallbladder is fairly likely responsible for the OTHER major issues she's been having with her digestive tract, so they may actually solve that problem.

Comments

[nycshelly.livejournal.com]

My hubby had his gall bladder sucked out years ago. It was a fairly simple procedure, all things considered. I hope all works out well for Maria.

So...

[seawasp]

... what's the downside to having your gallbladder removed, aside from the obvious "well, they have to KNOCK YOU OUT and CUT INTO YOUR FLESH"?

Re: So...

[nycshelly.livejournal.com]

Hubby hasn't really noticed any difference sans gall bladder and his was rather a mess when they sucked it out. So, no downside in his case.

Re: So...

[shana.livejournal.com]

Well, I thought I remembered a Usenet thread about it -- rasff, in 2002.

Both Dorothy Heydt and LWE seem to be doing okay without them, among others.

Re: So...

[ross-teneyck.livejournal.com]

I had mine out in December.

When they do it laparoscopically-- a word I probably misspelled -- it's a pretty minor procedure to undergo, as abdominal surgery goes. They sent me home the same day, and I was able to taper off the prescription painkillers in only a couple of days.

As for the aftereffects, when I was researching it, the consensus seemed to be: for most people, there is no downside. You can eat anything you want. Some people become more sensitive to some foods, generally fats, and need to cut down or avoid them; and a small percentage of people can have worse effects, such as chronic diarrhea. There's medication to control that, but... well, I'm sure it's unpleasant.

I seem to be in the lucky majority. There are a couple of specific foods I've noticed that seem to make me feel a bit uncomfortable -- including muffins, for some odd reason -- but I think even that is fading away. Other than that, I haven't noticed any difference. Other than not having attacks of horrible searing pain every once in a while.

Re: So...

[amandatkd.livejournal.com]

Dad had his out years ago and there was no downside. Most of his digestive problems went out the window along with the gall bladder. Hope it solves her problems as well.

[sub-musashi.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear she's doing ok. Sucks to have major surgery AGAIN, and I speak as someone who's had to be opened up twice for the same thing.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Glad the emergent situation was dealt with quickly.

As for gall bladder surgery, it seems to be realtively complication free.

http://www.arachnis.com/drsastry/gallmail.htm

Sure beats loosing your spleen...

I just re-read...

[seawasp]

.... "A Deepness in the Sky", so mentioning an "emergent" situation had a rather surreal impact.

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

I hope she heals quickly and well, and that the diagnosis is correct.

sister in law

[heracolyte.livejournal.com]

My mother in-law had her gallbladder out years ago and she hasn't had problems.

On another note, wow, 11 years now! I can't believe that Judi and I have been married 15 years this june. In some ways it seems like a long time ago and in other ways not long at all. Are you doing an anniversary celebration another day?

Re: sister in law

[seawasp]

Yeah, it's been a long time... yet, it doesn't seem that long.

We did a little celebration on Saturday. Then I had to work on Sunday. Urg.