So, What's up with Galbladder?

So probably about three months ago, I posted that I had gallstones. The idea of this scared me. I didn't want surgery, my body was just getting back to feel semi-normal so I thought I'd coast through it.

I had been sent for an ultrasound which confirmed I had gallstones and was told to pick up the prescription (referral?) to go see a specialist about getting my gallbladder removed. In the mean time I did a little research on my on and realized there are a few steps people recommended before getting your gallbladder removed. After all, I found it was one of the most common surgeries performed, so I assumed they may have been jumping the gun. There were flushes you could do which would basically break down/flush the stones and get your feeling better.

I had also read that apparently gaining a lot of weight quickly (as you do with pregnancy) and the pressure from the uterus could often times cause your gallbladder to get squished and make gallstones form.

All of this information lead me to the conclusion that I would NOT be jumping into surgery. After getting the results I said that if I got another attack (that's kind of what they are - they happen randomly and only last a little while) I would do the flush and see if that helped.

I think I got one more attack a couple of weeks later and again told myself I'd just put it off. Well, it's been about three months now and I have (knock on wood) had no signs of gallbladder issues.

During my search I also found that your diet had a lot to do with the frequency of attacks. For a little while I watched what I ate and tried to be good. I've since loosened up, but also avoid eating anything too greasy late at night and that seems to really help.

If the attacks come back at any point and become more frequent, then I plan to try the flush if I have to, but considering how infrequent the problems are I plan to just let it go for now. My biggest fear is that I've heard of people who didn't have attacks for awhile and out of no where they had terrible pain and had to be rushed in for emergency surgery. But, in my case, I think it was the result of the pregnancy and my body adjusting back to normal - at least I hope anyway.

However, if round #2 of pregnancy ever happens, I will be sure to mention this to my doctor as a potential problem that needs to be monitored.

So I Might have Gallstones...

... and on my list of foods to avoid:

Red Meat

Fried Foods

Dairy (including ice cream)

Chocolate

Alcohol, Beer, Wine Liquor

Avoid all Fruit Juice unless organic Grape

Carbonated Beverages

Beans

Wheat

Grapefruit

Oranges

Nuts

... and on my approved list of foods:

Beets

Green Beans

Cucumbers

Avocados

Garlic

Most fruits

Tomatoes

Lemon Juice (nothing like a good glass of lemon juice in the morning)

obviously not a comprehensive list, but from what I've gathered: "if it's good don't eat it - if it sucks eat all you'd like"

Lame.

Ultrasound tomorrow - we'll see if that's what it really is.