gallbadder problems?

[Mothercooter]

Hello again for those who remember me. I ended up falling of the wagon during my pregnancy and well, you know how that goes. I gained all 45 lbs back plus 5. Well, I want to start again but have a few questions this time.

During my pregnancy I had my first severe gallbladder attack. I was hospitalized twice for it and sent home with instructions for a very strict low fat diet. Of course, this didnt really work very well. My baby is 3 months now and the attacks are increasing in frequency and intensity. I wanted to avoid removal at all cost but the pain and suffering for 5 or more hours in the middle of the night at least 3-4 times a week isnt worth it. I cut out fried foods, caffeine (which I shouldnt have been on anyway, haha) and nothing is doing it.

I was told I have lots of gallstones and a diseased gallbladder. Will this be a problem if i want to start atkins again? They say the gallbladder attacks are from high fat food so logic would say I cant do atkins at all right?

Will it matter one way or another if I have tons of gallstones or if I just get it removed if I can do atkins?

Anyone else dealing with this?

Mindy

[OzLover]

It isn't going to get any better despite low, medium, high fat diet.

Get it taken out!!! The frequency & intensity of your pain will continue to get worse. Are you just dealing with the pain or ending up in the ER with each attack?

Know from experience.

[chicamarun]

I dealt with it and honestly I had it removed. Such a simple procedure and after a year of terrible attacks which NOTHING could fix (we even called 911 one night thinking it was a heart attack since I couldn't breathe)... I had it removed. And what was even goofier - I had it removed because the Dr who had to do an appendectomy asked me why it hadn't been taken out yet.

Personally I would look into getting it taken out. My lil girl was about 10 months when I had it done and it made my life with her more enjoyable.

[sas2sap]

I also had my gall bladder removed in an emergency surgery a few years back. I asked my doc specifically if my problems could have been caused by following a low-carb plan and he said he didn't think so just based on the sheer number and size of the stones. Before starting back on Atkins this time I checked with my doc and he encouraged me to start again saying that I should just watch that my fat intake doesn't go too high. He is obviously more worried about my weight in general than any possible side effects. He also told me that low carb diets are getting better attention these days by medical professionals (although, he also said, most still follow the old school food pyramid programs). With all this said, I do understand that you are hesitant about surgery as I was the same way. However, since the decision was pretty much taken away from me at the end, I'd say it's best to not risk your health any further and discuss surgical options with your doc. Good luck. I definitely remember your pain.