[Sherryanne]

So a couple of weeks ago, I saw a doctor about some pain that I was having and he suggested that I have my gall bladder removed. My mom said that we should get a second opinion from another doctor that I have seen before about my stomach pain. So we went to see him today and I found him to be extremely dismissive. I carefully explained the pain to him and he himself admitted that it was symptomatic of gall bladder disease. But then he goes on to say that he cannot see anything wrong on the ultrasound and that I should just have a low fat diet and take pain meds and that's all. The other doctor, when looking at my ultrasound said that he saw gallbladder sludge.

So at this point in time I really dont know what to say. Its not to say that I want to have surgery, but I feel that its needed. Ive been having this pain for a month now and its not getting much better. I have severely resticted my diet and people messing with my diet is such a big control thing for me that it completely sets me off balance and brings on all sorts of unwanted stuff. My T suggested once that maybe I want the surgery as a way of harming myself. That maybe I want people to harm me which is why I am so adamant about having the surgery.

My mom is now not talking to me because we had this big fight after about me wanting to have the surgery, and she says that I dont think of her and I dont think of the money it would cost and everything. I told her that people trying to control what I eat is like people trying to control me and I dont like that and the way things are going its just gonna make me start throwing up again. I probably should not have said that but I was upset and always say things in anger that I dont mean. But now the house is all tense and everything. I just dont know what to do, I want the best for me but I dont know what the best is.

Can anyone help me.....please?!

[Christina86]

Hi ((((((((((((Sherryanne)))))))))))))))

How old are you? Have you reached the "age of majority"? If you have, your parents (really) don't have any control over what you do for your own health and wellbeing. I'll tell you this much... my friend has been having pain for some time now. Last week she had gall bladder surgery to have it removed. Best decision EVER because she wound up in hospital with severe problems, and this was the only option. Tell your mother that you're risking your health and wellbeing and it will cost a whole lot more later to fix your health than dealing with it now.

As far as I'm aware, a person can function normally without a gallbladder, so you're not doing yourself any added harm by having it removed (and it's a fairly non-invasive procedure as well). You've also got one doctor's recommendations... is that your normal doctor? Perhaps seeing a third and if they happen to agree with what the first doctor said it would also help to convince your mother?

If that fails, or you don't want to see yet another doctor ... perhaps printing off resources about gallbladder removal and whatnot would help convince your mother.

[Perna]

I would maybe go get a third consult. Gallbladder pain isn't constant like it seems you are describing; it goes away. And if you actually have sludge, that's an emergency and I don't think they would have just seen you in the office.

What tests have you had, just the ultrasound? I would get all the tests (there are 4 or 5) with a single doctor. I don't think anyone is going to decide to operate on you just because you "want" it.

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disor...adder-problems

[Sherryanne]

Thanks for the responses. I am 19, so I have definately reached the age of majority though my mom fails to realize it. The surgeon I saw that recommended I have the surgery is not my normal doctor. It was my normal doctor that said I should not have the surgery. I am going to go get a new ultrasound since one doctor said that the first one was not a really good image and I am going to see a third doctor, my mom's doctor.

The problem is that even if I do have sludge, my mom has read all these health books that say that diet can resolve gall bladder disease. Though I doubt that. So she is pretty convinced that I dont need the surgery.

I know there are other tests that you can do for the gallbladder but I do not think that they are available here, or at least they have not been offered to me. One doctor did say that I should not be having as much pan as I am describing so maybe it is something else. I dont know. Its just really confusing right now. Thanks for your help though.