The gallbladder is a small pouch present under the liver, and it helps in digestion. When there is recurrent pain due to gallbladder stones, then gallbladder surgery is needed. Peritonitis and portal hypertension are conditions that require open gall bladder surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is done in cases of cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia.
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Kindly help with my increased blood count and bile sludge.
Query: Hello doctor, My blood work is showing high WBC and RBC. WBC is 11.3 (normal should be 11), and RBC is 5.14 (normal should be 5.0). Neutrophils are 7.6 (normal should be 7.5). Erythrocytes are at 2 not showing the normal number it should be at. However, it is flagged as high. My alkaline phosphatase... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The concept of when to get the surgery depends upon how much pain you have, how bad is the underlying disease and how long you have the inflammation. Given the history of pain, a slightly elevated white count, abnormal liver function test and biliary sludge. It would b... Read Full »
Kindly advise which surgery to undergo for gallbladder removal.
Query: Hello doctor, I am having my gallbladder removed because they found a 7 mm polyp during an MRI. The surgeon is recommending laparoscopic surgery. I read an article from a surgical oncologist that said you always do open surgery for gallbladder when there is a polyp involved. Kindly advise. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Gallbladder polyps can harbor malignancy, especially if they are larger than 6 mm to 10 mm. If the gallbladder ruptures during the surgery or there is bile spillage, cancer cells can spread inside the abdomen. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there is a higher risk o... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor,I had gallbladder surgery almost 20 years ago and still have an 8-inch scar showing it. It twitched lately, and I can feel it when my shirt rubs up against it. This has happened before, but just for approximately two days. I am on the following medications: Lisinopril, Carvedilol, and C... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Please provide the following information so that we can get to the bottom of your problem: Based on the size of the scar, I believe that was an open gallbladder surgery rather than a keyhole. How long has the twitching been going on? Is this after you have moved anyth... Read Full »
My son is suffering from deliberating pain after gallbladder removal. Kindly help.
Query: Hi doctor, My son is a healthy, strong 19-year-old. He recently had his gallbladder removed due to extreme but intermittent pain. The attacks would come in spurts and be practically debilitating for him. After testing at our local hospital, a physician or surgeon determined it was his gallbladder. T... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern.The cause of acute onset pain is intestinal or renal colic or sphincter Oddi dysfunction. Other causes of pain, like pancreatitis, will cause prolonged pain, not short lasting. One important cause of his pain could be irritabl... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, My 77-year-old father is unwell, and we consulted a gastroenterologist in our vicinity. Following his recommendation, we underwent the prescribed tests. I would like to provide the blood report, CT scan report, and doctor's prescription for your review. Kindly advise on the diagnosis a... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understood your concern. I have reviewed the reports you attached (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity), there is definite evidence of gall bladder involvement. He has cholelithiasis, which is causing the symptoms mentioned i... Read Full »
Even after removing my gallbladder, I have stabbing pain in my chest and back. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I had my gallbladder removed almost six months back. However, I am still having the same sharp stabbing pain in my chest and back. I also have fatigue and nausea. I went to the ER two nights ago. They advised me to undergo an EKG, stress test, liver and kidney function tests and other ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I think it is gastritis and reflux disease. To alleviate your condition, it's advisable to steer clear of spicy and fatty foods, and to abstain from smoking and alcohol if applicable. Consistency in your sleep schedule and incorporating regular exercise into your routine... Read Full »
Will gallbladder removal cause any complications post surgery?
Query: Hello doctor, I want to take a second opinion about my wife. She is 26 years old. Two years back, a few days after she gives birth to my child, she had pain in her upper abdomen at the right side. In ultrasound, it was diagnosed that she had gallstones about 6 mm with multiple stones. When we appr... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The best advice is that she should have a gallbladder removal via laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Since it not only help her to get rid of this noxious pain, but she can avoid the long term complication of chronic cholecystitis that is related to the gallbladder stones... Read Full »
Do you agree that gallbladder stone and polyp together increase the risk of malignancy?
Query: Hello doctor,My recent ultrasound of the gallbladder showed a 4 mm polyp, a 1.7 cm stone, and a small amount of sludge. Though I am asymptomatic, I visited my gastroenterologist. His opinion was that though rare, having a stone and polyp increases my risk of malignancy, and suggested removal. I am v... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, Ursodeoxycholic acid can be tried for three months. But, it is effective only in about 40 % of the cases. A gallstone even if asymptomatic should be removed through surgery because if somehow it slips into the bile duct, then it will block the pancreatic duct caus... Read Full »
Will my gallbladder polyps turn cancerous?
Query: Hello doctor, I got my abdominal ultrasound done due to pain while urinating. In the ultrasound, it showed as 'gallbladder polyps'. I checked online and it said it can lead to cancer. I am very scared. I am uploading pictures. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. There is nothing to worry about gallbladder polyps. I have seen the images (attachment removed to protect patient identity). These are small non-problematic thickenings of the gallbladder wall. Pain while urinating is not due to gallbladder polyps. Since you are having... Read Full »
How can stomach problems be treated after having had a gallbladder surgery?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 27-year-old female who is 5 feet 3 inches weighing 140 pounds. For the past four months, I have been dealing with stomach problems such as diarrhea and bloating and lack of appetite. It did turn out that my gallbladder was functioning at 18% and just last week I had a laparoscop... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your detailed summary. It takes around two to six weeks in some individuals for the bowel motility to normalize. It is just a transient phenomena which result slowly in the adaptation of the bowel to the absence of the gallbladder. I suggest ... Read Full »