(xpost) gallbladder ultrasound, might need MRI and other tests

You sound like a lovely intelligent young woman. I will admit I was a tad concerned you might be putting family social commitments before that of your own health, at least initially. Yes, too much information can get one lost in all tthe myriad of details,  but you're to be applauded for trusting in the good fortune you have with familial physicians to whom you can trust to get you the best information. 

Indeed, surgeons do have a bias to cut and I, too, suffer from my own admitted bias. Massive weight loss often does lead to that which you are experiencing and more so with many WLS Post-Ops. Having said that, I don't take any surgery lightly including a simple cholecystostomy.

We clearly had different WLS's but I am of the opinion that anyone having the DS should as a matter of routine have a cholecystostomy prophylactically. DS'rs tend lose more and often more rapidly than that with other WLS interventions. Consequently, it makes us more susceptible. But that aside, I think and believe you're taking a wise and even a conservative approach. 

Thanks so much for your prompt reply.

Rock

Thanks for your kind words.

I don't mean to sound like I don't care about my health. I just fear that certain family members would interpret any "health" issues on my part that were to coincide with the bridal shower/wedding to be an attempt to gain attention and knock the bride off center stage.  I don't WANT to do that, because the attention should be on the bride, I'm happy for her. Yet I fear an emergent situation that I "could have taken care of beforehand" might be interpreted that way.  This particular relationship has improved much over the past few years but I am still careful just in case...

I think prophylactic cholecystectomy makes sense for DS.

As for the surgeon's bias--well, my internist has one too, it's just a different one than my surgeon. So I'm glad to be able to talk it out w/my parents and have them ask colleagues that they trust.

It isn't all rosy, though, having 2 docs are parents...I'm actually kinda squeamish! Not sure how they do their jobs...I think I would turn green.

Well, I grew up with a somewhat famous petroleum engineer. I was once premed and served admirably in the naval medical corps. This engineer didn't let me get away with squat and he shared his work with me like in college with things like his solved deferential equations, etc... Man, nothing much got by him growing up and even to this day I still feel dwarfed at times  but I love the fact he makes me provide proof for any and all my rarely put forth assertions. Good for him! 

Ironically, I lost my mother over the holidays. She was suffered from an acute duodenal bleed and frankly wanted to check out early before this event given the many other sequelas she labored under. She was taking an NSAID I had cautioned against long ago. 

When I learned hospice had been brought in and it was decided she would have an IV drip of pain meds. I felt the need to disclose to my dad and family members that the dosage she was Rx'd would be likely ultimately be fatal in the near term given her current medical status. She was gone in 3 days. I don't quite know why I am sharing this with you and others but for the fact I feel and question how much more I should have been involved. It's what she WANTED and therefore I elected to take a more passive role. But I MISS HER... Even though she was for years so geographically far away. 

Pardon me, but thanks for letting me vent... 

Rock 

I am so sorry about your mom, no pardon necessary. I am sure it must be hard. Vent as needed.

Blessings,

Cindy