Gallbladder polyp

[MR. BMJ]

If your gallbladder is functioning well (A HIDA scan will tell you this), with no gallstones, and if the polyps are benign, then i'd not worry about resecting it out.

I had mine removed back in 2016, and it was one of the best moves i've done. I had no stones, but my rejection fraction from a HIDA scan was low. I had been getting attacks prior to that for about 4-5 years, with maybe 1-3 episodes per year. The final year they became more frequent, like maybe 4-5x that year, and then the final months, I was getting them almost weekly. I had to have Vicodin on hand to take in case they hit me, which was usually around midnight or early morning hours, which meant I usually had to call in sick that next day to work. When they became more frequent, calling in became an issue....and they sucked. I remember pacing in my room at night from the pain. When i'd take a few Vic's, the pain would start to dissipate about an hour afterward. I had no stones, so I can't say if that would have been more painful, but it sucked ass as it was. I had a bunch of doctors put me off for those first 4-5 years and tell me it wasn't anything to be concerned about. I'd forget because like I stated above, they were infrequent and I would not get another bout for like half a year or more later. The ultrasound(s) showed no stones, so the doctors didn't really do anything. I finally got a referral from one to send me to a specialist here in town and he was pretty pissed off about them not sending me out sooner.

After it was taken out, i never had another bout of pain, and my digestion is just as good if not better. Every now and then I have to be careful eating something like chile, but hell, I ate too much of that even when I had my gallbladder and it was like a toss-up if i'd have to run to the restroom afterward, lol. I know others who have stated they are more sensitive to fatty foods and chile/spicy foods, but they are usually fat asses who eats gobs of it. I felt so much better after it was out, if anything, my digestion was worse when it was functioning incorrectly.

When I had my gallbladder taken out, my doc also fixed a hernia about an inch above my belly button as well on the same surgery.

Neither hurt afterward much at all.

I went a little (or maybe a lot) slightly off-topic, but just giving my experience.

 

[Killer.7]

If your gallbladder is functioning well (A HIDA scan will tell you this), with no gallstones, and if the polyps are benign, then i'd not worry about resecting it out.

I had mine removed back in 2016, and it was one of the best moves i've done. I had no stones, but my rejection fraction from a HIDA scan was low. I had been getting attacks prior to that for about 4-5 years, with maybe 1-3 episodes per year. The final year they became more frequent, like maybe 4-5x that year, and then the final months, I was getting them almost weekly. I had to have Vicodin on hand to take in case they hit me, which was usually around midnight or early morning hours, which meant I usually had to call in sick that next day to work. When they became more frequent, calling in became an issue....and they sucked. I remember pacing in my room at night from the pain. When i'd take a few Vic's, the pain would start to dissipate about an hour afterward. I had no stones, so I can't say if that would have been more painful, but it sucked ass as it was. I had a bunch of doctors put me off for those first 4-5 years and tell me it wasn't anything to be concerned about. I'd forget because like I stated above, they were infrequent and I would not get another bout for like half a year or more later. The ultrasound(s) showed no stones, so the doctors didn't really do anything. I finally got a referral from one to send me to a specialist here in town and he was pretty pissed off about them not sending me out sooner.

After it was taken out, i never had another bout of pain, and my digestion is just as good if not better. Every now and then I have to be careful eating something like chile, but hell, I ate too much of that even when I had my gallbladder and it was like a toss-up if i'd have to run to the restroom afterward, lol. I know others who have stated they are more sensitive to fatty foods and chile/spicy foods, but they are usually fat asses who eats gobs of it. I felt so much better after it was out, if anything, my digestion was worse when it was functioning incorrectly.

When I had my gallbladder taken out, my doc also fixed a hernia about an inch above my belly button as well on the same surgery.

Neither hurt afterward much at all.

I went a little (or maybe a lot) slightly off-topic, but just giving my experience.

Yea the question is figuring out if its benign or not. I hope the MRI sheds some light on that. Otherwise need to wait some time to see if it grows. I also am going to try an see a Gastro to get his/her opinion on the matter.

 

[MR. BMJ]

Yea the question is figuring out if its benign or not. I hope the MRI sheds some light on that. Otherwise need to wait some time to see if it grows. I also am going to try an see a Gastro to get his/her opinion on the matter.

Yea, you are doing the right thing brother. Nothing wrong about being proactive on anything that could be potentially life-threatening!

 

[Bio]

Good morning gents.

I went in last week for bloods and imaging on my kidneys and liver, as apart of my usual routine of keeping everything in check. Turns out they incidentally found a 9mm polyp on my gallbladder. Everything else checked out OK.

Not sure how to handle the news, obvious worry in the short term. Doctor said to go back for more imaging in 6 months to ensure its not growing. No other comments really. I should call back or speak with another doctor to see what type of polyp it is as there are 3 main types apparently.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone here has any experience with this.

Thanks.

Are you a worrier in general? I wouldn't be worried about a polyp. A quick search brings up all the credible information you need from the Mayo Clinic. Polyps under 10mm are 95% non cancerous...I like those odds! Anything over 10mm are more likely to be cancerous or cancerous in the future. Those larger than 18mm pose a significant risk of being malignant. Here's a quote from the article..."A cholecystectomy may be recommended if you have a gallbladder polyp of any size along with gallstones or a polyp greater than 1/3 inch (about 8 mm). Cholecystectomy also may be recommended if you have a condition known as primary sclerosing cholangitis."

I had my gallbladder removed after a cancer diagnosis. One of the medications caused gallstones, so they proactively remove it during surgery for the cancer. I've never had an issue stem from my gallbladder being removed and I don't have a perfect diet. With the odds heavily favored in your direction, relax and carry on with life.

Also, too many of you love to jump all over doctors and make blanket statements. The cancer I was diagnosed with was Carcinoid Syndrome and the doctor told me, with my symptoms, there's a hundred different things it could be, because they all present the same. They start checking things off, to narrow it down and go from there. Since most of you don't have the education of a doctor, regarding symptoms, identifying disease, etc, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to make negative comments, without the knowledge base to know better!

 

[Killer.7]

Are you a worrier in general? I wouldn't be worried about a polyp. A quick search brings up all the credible information you need from the Mayo Clinic. Polyps under 10mm are 95% non cancerous...I like those odds! Anything over 10mm are more likely to be cancerous or cancerous in the future. Those larger than 18mm pose a significant risk of being malignant. Here's a quote from the article..."A cholecystectomy may be recommended if you have a gallbladder polyp of any size along with gallstones or a polyp greater than 1/3 inch (about 8 mm). Cholecystectomy also may be recommended if you have a condition known as primary sclerosing cholangitis."

I had my gallbladder removed after a cancer diagnosis. One of the medications caused gallstones, so they proactively remove it during surgery for the cancer. I've never had an issue stem from my gallbladder being removed and I don't have a perfect diet. With the odds heavily favored in your direction, relax and carry on with life.

Also, too many of you love to jump all over doctors and make blanket statements. The cancer I was diagnosed with was Carcinoid Syndrome and the doctor told me, with my symptoms, there's a hundred different things it could be, because they all present the same. They start checking things off, to narrow it down and go from there. Since most of you don't have the education of a doctor, regarding symptoms, identifying disease, etc, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to make negative comments, without the knowledge base to know better!

I am a worrier in general yes! Lol

 

[Killer.7]

Good read for those that are interested

Gallbladder Polyp Outcomes and Association With Gallbladder Cancer

This cohort study assesses the growth pattern of gallbladder polyps and their association with gallbladder cancer.

jamanetwork.com

 

[Killer.7]

Hello gents. Got my full body MRI results back. Everything is "unremarkable" aka good in terms of all my other organs. The stuff in question is as follows.

Mild hepatic steatosis. No concerning focal hepatic lesion.
0.8 cm apparent filling defect in the gallbladder lumen, may represent gallstone, sludge or a small polyp.
Subcentimeter lesions can be better characterized and followed up with ultrasound. Otherwise,
otherwise, Unremarkable appearance of the gallbladder, with intact gallbladder wall. No acute
cholecystitis. No biliary dilatation.

 

[Killer.7]

They were kind of high last time I check which was in November 2023

s
Hours After Meal		12		Hours
Triglyceride		0.56		mmol/L
	FASTING: <1.70 mmol/L NON-FASTING: <2.00 mmol/L
Cholesterol	HI	5.59	<5.20	mmol/L
	Total cholesterol and HDL-C used for risk assessment and to calculate non HDL-C.
HDL Cholesterol		1.36	>=1.00	mmol/L
	HDL-C <1.00 mmol/L indicates risk for metabolic syndrome.
Non HDL Cholesterol	HI	4.23	<4.20	mmol/L
	Non HDL-Cholesterol is not affected by the fasting status of the patient. If non-HDL-C >=4.20 mmol/L in primary prevention setting for low risk patients (FRS 5-9.9%) or intermediate risk patients (FRS 10-20%), consider therapy. Therapy also suggested in low risk patients (FRS <10%) with non-HDL-C >=5.8 mmol/L.
LDL Cholesterol	HI	4.01	<3.50	mmol/L
	If LDL-C >=3.50 mmol/L in primary prevention setting for low risk patients (FRS 5-9.9%) or intermediate risk patients (FRS 10-20%), consider therapy. Therapy also suggested in low risk patients (FRS <10%) with LDL-C >4.99 mmol/L. LDL-C is calculated using the NIH equation. For additional LDL-C and non-HDL-C thresholds based on risk stratification, refer to 2021 CCS Guidelines. Can J Cardiol. 2021;37(8):1129-1150.
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio		4.1
	Cholesterol/HDL-C is not included in the 2021 CCS guideline as a lipid initiation or treatment target but is recognized as an indicator of high CVD risk at Cholesterol/HDL-C ratio >6.0

I have an off topic question and I dont want to start a new thread. Would you guys recommend a statin with lipids like these?

 

[danieltx]

I have an off topic question and I dont want to start a new thread. Would you guys recommend a statin with lipids like these?

Your numbers are barely out of range. Lifestyle changes - cardio, diet, supplements - should be your first move and if those absolutely don't improve it then consider statins.

 

[Killer.7]

Your numbers are barely out of range. Lifestyle changes - cardio, diet, supplements - should be your first move and if those absolutely don't improve it then consider statins.

Yeah, I am on a low carb diet now and start supping citrus begamot. We'll see.

 

[Zypsalam]

Good morning gents.

I went in last week for bloods and imaging on my kidneys and liver, as apart of my usual routine of keeping everything in check. Turns out they incidentally found a 9mm polyp on my gallbladder. Everything else checked out OK.

Not sure how to handle the news, obvious worry in the short term. Doctor said to go back for more imaging in 6 months to ensure its not growing. No other comments really. I should call back or speak with another doctor to see what type of polyp it is as there are 3 main types apparently.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone here has any experience with this.

Thanks.

I got exactly same news from a doctor wasn’t my main doc though then I had rechecked and told it showing in my ultrasound since 2018 but it was very small and they told me just to have it checked here and there as along won’t grow it shouldn’t be an issue.