Bye Bye Gallbladder

For those who don't already know, in early January I started having really bad pain on my right side. The pain would get so bad that it would extend to my upper back and shoulder blades area. I went to a chiropractor to get adjusted thinking I was just out of place, but nothing seemed to help. 

I then found out that I was really have gallbladder pain. 

Your gallbladder is located right under your liver, usually right under your bottom rib on the right side. 

It's sole function is to store bile that the liver produces and to release that bile when you eat oils and fats. In some people your gallbladder has issues with storing the bile and it begins to crystallize and forms stones. These stones are EXTREMELY painful and can cause other issues as well.

Apparently like half my family has had issues with their gallbladder, who knew, and have had theirs removed. But I really wanted to try all my options before I resorted to removal. So since January I have COMPLETELY changed my diet. I had to eat VERY, VERY little oil and fats, little processed foods, no dairy, very little meat as it has a lot of fat and cholesterol. I really could only eat produce, and apple cider vinegar during an attack. It was a very hard lifestyle change but it would have been worth it if I didn't have to remove it. 

But a few weeks ago I had had enough. I was still having pain with EVERYTHING I ate even something as simple as an apple. So last Sunday I had an Ultrasound on my gallbladder and blood work done. The next day they scheduled surgery for a week later. With the size and amount of stones and sludge in my gallbladder, the doctor basically said my only option was removal at this point.

So we went in yesterday morning, luckily they can do the surgery outpatient so I could go home shortly after.

The surgery went really well. Afterwards the surgeon said my gallbladder was more than 2 times the size it should be, and see this......

This is what my surgeon used to compare the size of ONE of my stones. The one about to block my bile duct. I was basically a ticking time bomb. One bad greasy meal and I would be rushing to the hospital in massive pain with my kidneys shutting down. I was lucky, very lucky. They actually had to cut a 4 inch incision in my belly instead of a 2 inch because they couldn't get my gallbladder out.

I am home today on some pretty awesome pain meds, feeling much better. I can't wait to get back to a normal life and be able to, I don't know have a glass of milk, yogurt or ice cream without vomiting, someday soon. 

Thanks for all the prayers, blessing and help on my behalf. You are all my angels!