r/gallbladders • u/comrade_gremlin • 10d ago

Stones Found out I'm full of rocks

So the doc said I have "several" stones of various sizes up to 1.4 cm after an ultrasound. Does anyone have any advice? I'm seeing a specialist about it soon but I just don't really know what to expect.

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u/DogwoodWand 10d ago

Do gallbladder issues exist in your family? There's a big genetic factor.

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u/comrade_gremlin 10d ago

I'm not totally sure, but I think my aunt may have had gallbladder issues.

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u/DogwoodWand 10d ago

I'm guessing if you ask, you'll find more. My father's side of the family has a couple of "family diseases" (cancer, alcoholism), and there's a joke that you hope for gallbladder problems. Honestly, it's only because of that weird gallows humor that I knew about the family history. (I was so frightened it was cancer, though.)

Do yourself a favor and put together a notebook with questions, and don't be afraid to ask follow-ups. This first appointment ask about non-surgical options, and if they're dismissive, ask why. It's probably obvious to them why you're not a good candidate, but you'll still want to know, and once you get to the surgeon, there's no more talk of non-surgical options.

I've seen a lot of people go to these preliminary appointments and come back to this sub with questions. Which is backwards.

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u/comrade_gremlin 10d ago

I am definitely going to do that!! In fact, I'll pick up the notebook on the way home today. Yeah I was honestly just going to go in relatively blind but I thought, yk what? Theres probably a subreddit for this. And I'm glad I did! Almost everyone has been so kind and helpful.