This will probably be my last post on the whole gallbladder thing, so if you are wondering when I am going to give it up already, now you know.
I went to see the surgeon yesterday as a follow up to the surgery and got cleared to start lifting things again. It's been difficult to not be able to carry and swing NJ around.
I had read online about a lot of people who had digestive complications after this surgery, and that for some having the gallbladder removed does not remove the symptoms the surgery is supposed to address. This had me a little concerned that all this was for nothing. I have noticed a dramatic improvement, though. I have not had any reactions to dairy products or fatty foods yet, and my digestive system is the best its been in a few years. The doctor did say that there could be some change in the way my body digests food in the next six weeks, but I do not expect too many surprises.
A few people have commented to me on something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. How did people with gallstones deal with these issues before surgery was available? This is a very common surgery in the United States today, so I have to believe that at least some people had problems before anesthesia was developed. Did those people just develop a high threshold for pain?
Another question I have is how do people who have gallstones in nations where quality and affordable surgery is inaccessible to the masses deal with the pain? It was hard enough to find a good selection of foods to eat that didn't cause pain in the land of plenty. I can't imagine trying to craft a workable diet when there are very few food options available.
So, for all of my complaining, it sounds like my digestive problem is addressed. There are people who have and have had it worse than I do.
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3 comments:
I always personally believed that the foods we eat today in America are what causes the significant amount of these surgeries, so I believe there were fewer people with the problem years ago. Just my personal belief...I'm too tired to give supporting reasons for the theory! :) ***some of us do sleep--eventually! :)
Times were tough back then. People didn't live as long either.
Interesting questions. Our suffering does make us consider others who suffer, doesn't it? I often wonder about how many people are allergic to wheat and other foods and just don't know it. I am glad you haven't had any complications from the surgery. BB's mom was fine, but his sister reacted really badly to losing her gallbladder. She can't digest fats and has to take medicine (it looks like metamucil) and still has problems. I'm sure you're fine.
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