so unexpected thing is unexpected

[seperis]

Went to ultrasound; doctor states I have gallstones?

God, that word just lacks style so much. The question mark is more a product of my lack of ability to put this in context or like, you know, wtf? I am going to be consulting with a surgeon, or so my doctor reports. I feel this entire thing is a product of the fact that this morning I was texting svmadelyn about how pretty the hospital is. And it is! Glass and steel and a garden and all modern and comforting and now, you know, surgery.

Okay, yes, of course I googled, but you know, people who have had this or done this or whatever, give me an idea of what level of panic I need to be graduating to? I am more at the stage of "what the hell".

*sighs and hits google* I reserve the right to be really weird about this for a while.

ETA: I am breaking my soda only on weekends rule. Wikipedia is so very--informative. I've named my gallbladder Horace. If something has this many issues, it gets a name that is easier to use for hating it purposes.

Comments

[iiyo]

I had to have mine out a year and a half ago, after having three attacks in a 6-month period. (I had the excrutiating, go to the hospital, spasms of pain in my right side. Not fun. Spicy food and ice cream were my issues.) I only have one recommendation, assuming you do have the surgery. When the doctor tells you that they will be doing a laparoscopic procedure, and that there's a *small* possibility that they might have to convert to an open procedure (the bigger scar), listen to the different recovery plans for lap vs. open, and plan for the open, even if you don't expect to need it. I went in on a Thursday expecting the laparoscopic procedure, having planned to only be off work through the following Monday, but. Due to being one of the 1-2% of the population with sligthly oddball anatamy, they had to convert to open in the OR. I have 5 scars, wheee!

Other than the unexpectedly long time off work though, recovery wasn't that bad. I was out of the hospital in 2 days, stayed with a friend for 2 more, and then was back home for a week and a half before going back to work. There was some pain, particularly the first few days, but it was very manageable (and I'm a big baby about pain, so).

In the research I did, some people do continue to have problems with fat digestion after the recovery period, but most adapt fully within 6 months. Coffee should be drinkable within a day :)