Porcelain gallbladder. Indicates a calcified gallbladder; middle-aged overweight women are more

[No Vested Interest]

prone to the condition.
In preparation for surgery, a cat scan of my pelvis and abdomen was ordered.
The physician who read the scans reported the above condition.
I have not had symptoms of gallbladder problems, though I do have some "heartburn", for which I take Tums and, very rarely, an Alka-Seltzer.
My primary physician has referred me to a surgeon.
Having just had abdominal surgery 6 weeks ago, and being a full-fledged senior, I am not up for another surgery for a while.
Thoughts and suggestions?

Edited to add: Should this post have been placed in another sub-topic of Health?

[riversedge]

1. I had that a few years ago. Simple

laparoscopy took care of it.

But I had weeks of not feeling well. Just the smell of food gave me pain. It got to the point when I went on a walk with dog and smelled someone barbbqueing, I would have sever pain--mostly in back and unded entire L arm (referred pain). I could not even lay down or lean back against a chair. Finally, they found out what it was.

No problems at all living without a gall bladder. Good luck

[Marthe48]

2. I had my gallbladder removed 2/1/18

I got really sick Christmas night and went to e.r. around noon the next day. The drs. did a cat scan for kidney stones, but found I had one giant gall stone. I've never had problems, just some heartburn once in awhile.

The e.r. , my regular dr. and the surgeon didn't know why I had the attack, if I would have another one, or what might cause an attack. I didn't want this hanging over my head and since they all recommended surgery, I decided to go ahead. After I got so sick, I went on a low-fat, low-carb diet. It wasn't too hard, pretty much know the drill

I was able to schedule surgery 2/1, and was able to have the outpatient laparoscopic surgery. I was warned that right after surgery, I might have digestive problems, such as having to leave my meal in the middle to get to a bathroom. The surgeon said I should know where bathrooms were located. My solution was to be very careful about fatty and fried foods and limit portions. That has worked pretty well for me. I've had a few times that my food choices didn't work, but things are really settling down. Other than that, recovery has been very easy. I had limits--no lifting over 10 lbs for 2 wks., and after that, I tried more and more activity. If it didn't feel good, I stopped, then tried a fews days later.

Since the surgery, my energy has been increasing. Maybe my gallbladder was slowing me down and I didn't know.

I hope you are having a good recovery from your past surgery. And a good outcome fro the next, if you decide to have it

[Tikki]

3. Believe me, now is the time to have the simple surgery before the pain....

appears and becomes chronic and debilitating.

I had the surgery in 1974 before the laprascopic surgeries began. A much longer recovery.

All these years and so grateful for the end of that horrible pain and nausea.

Good Luck.
Tikki

[Docreed2003]

4. If you were in my office, here's how I would approach your condition

A). Porcelain Gallbladder is an definite indication for cholecystectomy, even without GB symptoms, due to the risk of cancer over time.

B). Depending on your previous abdominal surgery, this could be performed in a minimally invasive fashion as an outpatient procedure

C). I would probably wait a few weeks before recommended surgery. You scar on the inside just like on the outside from Surgery and the internal adhesions are easier to deal with >8 weeks after surgery.

Just my 2c as your friendly neighborhood DU surgeon...

[No Vested Interest]

5. I appreciate your input, as well as those who posted above, having had their gallbladders removed.

Robotic-assisted hysterectomy performed Feb.26; 5 small incisions in abdomen; very little pain thereafter, though excretory functions were/are somewhat mixed up. All lymph nodes tested negative, no cancer deep into the muscle. 2 nights in hospital.

Because of my advanced age, as well as heart issues, and just being leery of anesthetic's effect on the brain, I'm not at all anxious to undergo an unnecessary procedure. I also resent this showing up, as I wouldn't have known of the porcelain gallbladder if the cat scan had not been done for the abdominal surgery. I guess I should consider it a blessing to have been forewarned, but, at best, it's a mixed blessing.

I presume there's no way to determine if cancer is present without removing the organ; i.e., a biopsy would perhaps unleash cancer cells into the body, if it's even possible to do a biopsy.

We're so lucky to have a friendly neighborhood DU surgeon, Docreed2003!