Gallstone.

[mistypuppy]

Morning, I had a ct scan which showed up just one large gallstone and Im waiting for an appoinment to see a consultant. My sister had lots of small gallstones and had keyhole surgery. I hoping for the same but I've read for anyone who's had stomach surgery keyhole surgery is not an option. I had 2 C Sections,would this affect my chances of keyhole surgery?. The sections were 18 and 20 years ago. Many thanks.

[pedantic]

I hope this will help a bit. I can only tell you about my experience. I am not a doctor and you must trust his/her judgement.

The instruments go in through two sites, the navel and just below the breastbone. I have four tiny cuts. The one in the navel is about a half an inch long and the larger on is an inch long. There are two other tiny insisions on the right hand side of the abdomen made for drainage.

The gall bladder is pulled through the hole under the breastbone. I had a lot of stones. The one they gave me to keep (because I asked) was about the size of a gobstopper.

Personally, I cannot see why you couldn't have this surgery. I believe that the cuts are made in a completely different region to a C section and they are so very small.

It is very sore after the op because the same nerve endings are involved. It feels like you are having a very bad gall stone attack but they give you strong pain relief and within a day or two you feel much better. The fact that you are not waiting for an attack and that you can eat normally again is wonderful.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll be fine. Remember that although it's less invsive than opensurgery it is still a major operation and you'll need time to recover properly. Get the horrible thing out.

[mistypuppy]

Thanks for all the info pedantic,my toes are curling just thinking of the op! My 1st section was a straight cut from roughly my naval to the bikini line so I dont know if that will make a difference. My 2nd was the usual bikini line cut. I cant believe you had a stone as big as a gobstopper! Im wondering now what size mine is. thanks again.

[bensmum]

Have to agree with pedantic - I had keyhole surgery to remove mine and it was fine, I wouldn't have thought that previous surgery would matter. The relief after having them removed (I also got to keep mine!) was great, just knowing that I wouldn't be doubled up in agony not knowing when it was going to stop was fantastic! Good luck with the op.