I am freakin out!!

[Love2Lose]

Went to Dr. today to get my results for a CT scan that he had ordered for me a couple of weeks ago (due to some pain in my side).

Well it so happens that I have Gall Stones.. Doctor said that maybe Atkins is not the best way for me to eat cause ALL of the fat that I am eating may have lead to my Gallbladder problem and might lead to many other health problems. I don't think that I eat a whole lot of fat. But anyway I am not the Dr.

What do I do? I don't want to go on a low cal, low fat diet. I like the results that I get on this WOE and don't see myself doing the 1200 calorie thing..

[Bluebelt2007]

Better to healthy with some gall stones (which they will just take out your gall bladder-day surgery), then obese without stones. Just my opinion, good luck and hope you are doing better.

[Laurenfra]

Many people (even Doctors) think we suck on lard all day. I eat way less fat on atkins then I ever did eating big macs daily. You should always follow your doctors advice but just make sure your dr has all the details.

[OzLover]

Low fat, high fat, vegetarian, low cal, low carb...it doesn't matter. If you have gallstones you are going to continue to have pain no matter what you eat. Have your gallbladder taken out. Did your doctor just suggest changing your diet or did he discuss surgery? Bluebelt is right this is same day surgery. Talk with the doctor about your options.

[Love2Lose]

Hi Guys, Thanks for your replies.

The stones were discovered by accident. The pain that led to the CT scan was on the opposite side.
The Doc suggested that since the stones are too small that they might not cause a problem for a long time if I ate right and exercised and so forth.
I would have not have known about them if it were not cause of the scan.

[KNS0724]

Originally Posted by Laurenfra

Many people (even Doctors) think we suck on lard all day. I eat way less fat on atkins then I ever did eating big macs daily. You should always follow your doctors advice but just make sure your dr has all the details.

OMG!! I almost choked on my bacon. No joke.

[brandywine1241]

Bile is produced by the liver to aid in the digestion of fat. It is stored in the gall bladder until it is needed. If you are eating a low fat diet, not much bile is needed so it sits in the gall bladder, concentrates and forms stones. Then when you eat a fatty meal, bile is needed, the gall bladder contracts, and the stones may be pushed out into the bile duct where they can cause pain. In other words, it's eating low fat that causes gall stones, but eating fat that might make you realize you have them.

I had a couple of minor gall bladder attacks when I first started Atkins in 2003. I started taking leciithin and haven't had any problems since.

[clogger]

Love2Lose,

Page 100 of DANDR says "Fallacy #7: Atkins is high in fat, and we all know that fats cause gallbladder disease." It starts by covering what brandywine1241 said. Then it also says "It is not uncommon to find gallstones in people who are obese, although the gallstones may not be causing discomfort. People with existing stones may, however, have trouble with high-fat meals. If you are one of these people you may have to slowly increase the level of fat you eat according to your own tolerance - meaning, how you feel. Remember, gallstones are not formed overnight. So anyone who tells you they started doing Atikins and two weeks later developed gallstones doesn't fully understand the medical situation."

[Mothercooter]

I have HUGE gallstones and have trouble from time to time but I had them before starting atkins and let me tell ya, all the low fat food in the world didnt stop my attacks. What did? Atkins! I have had one episode since starting but before starting I had attacks at least once but sometimes twice a week or MORE!

I too eat far less fat on atkins than I ever did before eating all the french fries and super greasy foods I could choke down. I still may have to have my gallbladder removed one day but I am feeling much better since atkins.

[Porcelain]

Well, they said some things I was about to say, mainly I was going to ask you how long you have been on the diet because it takes gallstones quite a while to form and are most likely from your previous way of eating. I am at high risk because of my "F's" Fair, Fat, Forty, and Firtile.