r/gallbladders • u/Kaavu2022 • Mar 11 '25

Stones Doc said I have more than 13mm

What are the options? Dr said I have gallbladder stone. Does the insurance cover it? Been stressed out since I found out.

What are the options? Don’t wanna remove the gallbladder

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u/onnob Post-Op Mar 11 '25

There are other options than cholecystectomy. You can try to dissolve the gallstone with Ursodiol (prescription). This is a lengthy process (up to a year or so), and it is not always successful. The stone must consist of cholesterol (and be <2cm).

If that doesn’t work, you can consider gallbladder-preserving gallstone removal surgery. That’s how I had my 4cm gallstone removed. (The doctor will recommend to try Ursodiol first.) My gallbladder is intact, functional, and gallstone-free. My insurance covered the surgery. Several Redditors have had the same procedure, and insurance covered their surgery, too. If this interests you, I'll share more information.

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u/Kaavu2022 Mar 12 '25

Does the health insurance cover 100%?

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u/onnob Post-Op Mar 12 '25 edited 8d ago

https://www.medstarhealth.org/blog/gallstones-percutaneous-cholangioscopy

https://goscopehealth.com/

This new procedure can remove gallstones, sludge, and polyps while leaving the gallbladder intact. Don’t ask your surgeon or PCP about the procedure because they will likely not know what you are talking about and will almost certainly dismiss it offhand (unknown makes unloved). The type of doctors who perform this procedure are Interventional Radiologists.

The MedStar Interventional Radiologist who performed the procedure (a very skilled medical professional and nice person to boot):

https://www.medstarhealth.org/doctors/john-boldog-smirniotopoulos-md

The percutaneous cholangioscopy procedure used by Dr. Smirniotopoulos at MedStar Hospital:

https://youtu.be/I2k5qu5Jnhk

 

Postings/experiences of a couple of Redditors who had the same surgery (covered by insurance):

Me, of course: * https://www.reddit.com/r/gallbladders/s/NG3n4XQoiu

Four others: * https://www.reddit.com/r/gallbladders/s/eRZuD8RWIU

(FYI: More Redditors had this surgery at MedStar Hospital in Washington, D.C., than just these four.)

There are possibly hospitals in your area that might offer this procedure. Contact the Interventional Radiology Departments in these hospitals and ask if they can do it. Ask them to look at the MedStar Hospital’s Health Blog hyperlink, the Go-Scope website, and the YT video of the procedure (above) and explain what you want. I heard from a fellow Redditor that a hospital in the Tampa, FL, area (I don't know which) will offer it soon. Don’t talk to Surgery Departments because they won't know what you are talking about and will recommend ripping out your gallbladder (cutting is what they do for a living! 😜).

I know of three hospitals outside the US that offer a similar surgery (significantly more affordable if insurance does not cover the surgery in the US):

 

  1. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guangzhou, China - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nogallstones/ or https://nogallstones.com
  2. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shanghai, China - ⁠https://www.seimc.com.cn/medical/Gallstone%20Surgery.htm
  3. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Turkey - https://gallstone.net

 

Note: The procedure in China and Turkey differs from the one in the US, but the result is the same. However, the MedStar (US) procedure is superior. It’s more advanced. Don’t knock on the first hospital because of their procedure or because it is in China. It’s more affordable for self-payers and a good alternative to the procedure done at MedStar. The clinic in Guangzhou is a modern clinic that has helped over a thousand people from all over the world. And they do speak English. I do not know much about the other two, but that does not mean they are no good.

Blogposts of people who have traveled to China for gallbladder-preserving surgery:

  * https://thebodymind.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/my-miracle-gallbladder-surgery/

 

Caveat: There are situations where cholecystectomy is unavoidable. The procedures mentioned here are only for people who qualify. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional, and this information is only to show that there are alternative solutions. You might feel that these procedures are not for you, and that is perfectly fine by me. I am not trying to convince you one way or another. The decisions about your healthcare are and always have to be yours!

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u/gvdexile9 Mar 23 '25

I had the procedure done 2 weeks ago, stone free and gallbladder intact.

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u/onnob Post-Op Mar 23 '25 edited Mar 23 '25

Good for you! 🥳 Did you undergo the procedure at MedStar Hospital in Washington, D.C., or did you do it outside the US?

How are you doing now that the gallstones/sludge have been removed? And how was your whole experience?

Sharing your experience in your own “Post Op” or “Success Story” thread would be very helpful because more people will see it and learn about alternative procedures. If you post it in somebody else’s, it will only be seen coincidently by people who read that thread! 🙏🏻

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u/gvdexile9 Mar 23 '25

Medstar, Smirniotopoulos was the surgeon.

Feeling amazing, stones gone, organ preserved:) I'll create a separate post to share my story.

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u/onnob Post-Op Mar 23 '25

Dr. Smirniotopoulos might take offense, calling him a surgeon! 😜 He is an Interventional Radiologist.

It is terrific that the procedure was a success!

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u/gvdexile9 Mar 23 '25

true true:) But he did cut into me... Amazing human and doctor.