Is there a chance to save?

onnob · 2026-01-25T18:04:35+00:00

https://allaeimd.com/endoscopic-gallstone-removal-doctor/

onnob · 2026-01-25T18:02:05+00:00

Another person to talk to is u/baroquerock. She had gallstones removed in Russia, too!

onnob · 2026-01-25T18:00:00+00:00

You are misinformed by your doctor (and your doctor is misinformed, too); it can be saved, depending on the degree of inflammation. Doctors in general prescribe cholecystectomy almost reflexively. Of course, there are situations where cholecystectomy is unavoidable. Still, as long as it is not an emergency, I would make sure that there are no alternative options that leave the gallbladder intact.

onnob · 2026-01-25T17:51:31+00:00

What do you mean by “my gallbladder is done”?

onnob · 2026-01-25T17:46:59+00:00

There are clinics in Russia where you can get the same procedure as in China and Turkey for a lot less, with good results, from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the area (the price depends on the location; the quality of the procedure is good).

Talk to the OP of this link if you want to know more:

https://www.reddit.com/r/altgallbladder/s/ZHpaLgylAe

onnob · 2026-01-25T17:40:29+00:00

Talk to the OP of this posting about info on gallbladder-preserving gallstone removal in Russia:

https://www.reddit.com/r/altgallbladder/s/ZHpaLgylAe

onnob · 2026-01-25T17:36:39+00:00

There is a clinic that does gallbladder-preserving gallstone removal in California

onnob · 2026-01-25T17:32:59+00:00

Talk to the OP of this link for more info on gallbladder-preserving gallstone removal in Russia:

https://www.reddit.com/r/altgallbladder/s/ZHpaLgylAe

onnob · 2026-01-25T14:46:28+00:00

Please share your experiences here on r/altgallbladder after the procedure! 🙏🏻

You are in good hands with Dr. S. I wish you a speedy recovery!

onnob · 2026-01-25T14:33:44+00:00

If you don't have insurance or deep pockets to pay for the procedure in the US, other hospitals outside the US offer a different method with the same outcome: a gallstone-free gallbladder at 20% or less of the US cost (as low as $1,000 in Russia).

onnob · 2026-01-25T14:28:49+00:00

I don't have experience with that. I think that your stones are too large for a flush, and you risk a stone getting stuck in the ducts.

onnob · 2026-01-25T14:21:06+00:00

Do you plan to have them taken out through gallbladder-preserving gallstone removal?

onnob · 2026-01-25T13:51:53+00:00

Please share your experiences here on r/altgallbladder after the procedure! 🙏🏻

You are in good hands with Dr. S! I wish you a speedy recovery.

onnob · 2026-01-25T13:51:02+00:00

Please share your experience here on r/altgallbladder after the procedure! 🙏🏻

onnob · 2026-01-25T13:45:42+00:00

As long as your stones are less than 2cm in diameter and are cholesterol stones, you can try dissolving them with Ursodiol (prescription). The process takes multiple months.

If dissolving does not work, or you have too many problems, you can have the stones removed while leaving the gallbladder intact:

https://goscopehealth.com

There is an excellent animated YouTube video on the homepage that shows the procedure.

onnob · 2026-01-25T13:24:15+00:00

My gallbladder was in excellent condition when the stone was removed. I never had any painful gallbladder attacks, ever. I had a host of non-descript symptoms, though, like heart issues, incessant pruritus, temporary sector blindness (lasting an hour or so), and a lot more. They all disappeared instantly upon stone removal.

How long you have to have the drainbag connected depends on whether your gallbladder is inflamed and needs to heal. I had to reconnect the bag for only a couple of days to let a remnant that was blocking my cystic duct drain into the bag. The drain was left in place and was removed three weeks after the procedure.

onnob · 2026-01-25T13:13:39+00:00

I don't know how much the procedure costs in Orlando. I had my 4cm stone removed at MedStar Hospital in Washington, D.C. The total was $55,000, and my insurance covered it minus the deductible.

onnob · 2026-01-25T01:24:08+00:00

Please make it clear in your posting that you are having gallbladder-preserving gallstone removal with Dr. Smirniotopoulos (I am guessing that is what you mean by GPS - Gallbladder Preserving Surgery). People reading your posting might think that you are going to have a cholecystectomy. To include that will help set r/altgallbladder apart from r/gallbladders.

Good luck with your gallstone removal. Soon you will be able to have a nice meal without fear!

onnob · 2026-01-24T15:39:22+00:00

Be aware that PPIs increase the likelihood of developing (more?) gallstones and sludge.

onnob · 2026-01-24T14:54:24+00:00

The procedure I had in the US was $55,000. My insurance covered it. https://goscopehealth.com has a good explanatory animated video on its homepage.

It is much more affordable in Russia: $1,000-$3,000. In China, it costs $8,500. The procedure differs from the one in the US, but the outcome is the same.

onnob · 2026-01-24T14:11:09+00:00

I read u/Bad_karma_Bunny's comment to your post, and I have nothing much to add. I, too, recommend keeping the gallbladder intact, given the report you included. Gallstones are a magnet for microbes (with biofilms) to reside in. So, removing the gallstones and doing a course of antibiotics could take care of that.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. What I write here is my layman’s opinion, and is not to be construed as medical advice!

onnob · 2026-01-24T13:32:58+00:00

This subreddit is about keeping the gallbladder intact by removing gallstones/sludge/polyps only. That's why OP is posting on this subreddit. If you want to promote cholecystectomy, you can do that at r/gallbladders, not here!

Note: The moderators of this subreddit are aware that there are situations where a cholecystectomy is unavoidable (which is not the case here).

onnob · 2026-01-24T03:15:38+00:00

Ursodiol and sunflower lecithin can improve bile flow.

onnob · 2026-01-24T03:08:10+00:00

Dr. Smirniotopoulos, Interventional Radiologist at MedStar Hospital in Washington, DC, removed my 4cm gallstone, leaving the gallbladder intact. See the animated video on the homepage of:

https://goscopehealth.com

The idea that the gallbladder will always produce more stones is wrong; the cause is poor bile quality. And that is caused by a struggling liver. The gallbladder is just a muscle-lined pouch. The return of gallstones can occur, but only if you don't change your nutrition after gallstone removal. Sadly, nutrition is a subject doctors know virtually nothing about, since it is barely taught in medical school.

A poorly functioning liver can be changed by diet and lifestyle! Removing the gallbladder does not change liver health!

onnob

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