whats wrong with me?!?!?

Hello. I have been having trouble with my stomach lately. I'm too big a chicken to go to the doc, I'm still pre op....so I think it might have something to do with my gallbladder. I'm having cramps all over my stomach. But mainly the upper right side and the pain goes down to my waist. Now this is gross.......but I always seem to have diarrhea.  Here lately its been one hour diarrhea then the next time I go i'll be constipated. I've been eating right, avoiding fatty foods and caffeine. Do any of you out there have an opinion on this? I absolutely hate going to the doctor. I weigh over 400 lbs, if you have had to have your gallbladder out, and you weigh as much as me, how did they do your gb removal? Thanks so much!

Hi Bobbie! When I had my weight loss surgery surgery my gall bladder was perfect, so my doctor left it in.  Less than a year later, it had to come out!  Those gall bladder attacks were horrible.  The pain was like yours, the upper right side and down to my waist, but it seemed to go straight through to my back, too.  Damn, it hurt!  I don't recall if I had diarrhea or constipation, though.  When I had my weight loss surgery I was 528 pounds and I had a big open incision, but I was down to about 390 when I had the gall bladder out and he was able to do it laparscopically (my same surgeon that did my WLS did it).  Most people go home the same day, but my doctor kept me overnight, only as a precaution because of my sleep apnea.  I was up and about and driving in about four days.  My gall bladder attacks lasted four or five hours and occurred about twice a month.  If you are having pain more often than that, you really should go to a doctor now, because if one of the gall stones gets stuck in the duct it can be serious.  I know doctors can be scary, but sometimes a simple problem turns into a complex one if you wait too long.  Make that appointment, take a friend with you to hold your hand, and get used to taking care of your self!  You are worth the trouble, dearie!  Best wishes!  Write me back if you have any questions.

Hi Bobbie,  I have never experienced those symptoms but I wanted to tell you that I understand completely your apprehension about going to the doctor.  They always seem to tie everything to being overweight.  But I would not want anything to happen to you, so it is probably worth the torturous trip to the docs.  Better to walk in now than wait, have a really bad attack ,and have to be rushed in an ambulance, right?  I will be praying for your pain and for your recovery!  Hugs, Tracy

Bobbie, Based on my experience, it does sound like this may be related to your gallbladder.  I understand your reluctance to go to the doctor, but trust me that it's in the best of interest of your health to be proactive about getting this resolved.  I had a good friend in a similar situation and her gallbladder attacks kept getting worse and worse, until one finally totally debilitated her for several days.  That's what finally got her to the doctor, and she'd been suffering needlessly for several months.  Her surgery was uneventful and she was feeling 100% better within a week.  I can't say whether they would be able to remove your gallbladder laproscopically, but regardless it may still need to be done.  I strongly encourage you to put on your big girl panties, pick up the phone, make an appointment, and KEEP IT.   Best of luck to you in resolving this issue! Kellie

Do not mess around with this!  If it is your gall bladder (and it sure sounds like it is), you don't want it to get to a state where it becomes an emergent situation!   Call your doctor today!  Right now! Bossy Kix

Thanks girls. I'm going to make an appt. Monday. Hopefully I wont be in too much pain this weekend. What kinds of tests do they do to determine if your gallbladder is bad? Just a ultrasound? Thanks again!

Hi, my sister had her GB taken out laparascopically when she was about 420 lbs. I have some small gallstones, but my doctor didn't recommend surgery for it yet. However, he did say if you EVER have any kind of fever associated with the pains, come to the ER asap. SO if you chicken out of your appointment, keep that in mind. But you're not going to chicken out, are you? :)

Sounds a lot like gb and I waited way too long to have mine taken out - I was passing stones and on my way to pancreatitis.  I suffered needlessly  because of fear of doctors and should have had something done months earlier.  Good luck!

Hi Dunny! When you had your gb out, did they do it lap or open? I'm a big chicken and i'm scared to death. I go to the doctor on Wednesday at 8:15 am. Good to see you back on the boards!