Gallbladder removal in Chiang Mai Ram (Laparascopic)

[sup3r1or]

Hello everyone,

I have a question, for the last 7 years I have been suffering with IBS. Last 4 months its (maybe) has gone to the other level. I can only eat salads and mean, everything else seems to bloat me so badly that I can intestinal cramps (specially RICE) which never happened before.

On the last day of world cup (finals) I had a ton to drink for 3 days. I have admitted to the hospital with tonsillitis and next day started having pain under my right ribs. Doctors here in Chiang RAI thought it was mild liver inflamation as my ALTs levels were slightly elevated. I had ultrasound 6 months prior to this incidents and they said I had a couple of stones in my gallbladder 3-5mm in diameter with no inflammation. I insisted on another ultrasound and they found that I had mild inflammation of gallbladder.

Having transferred to Chiang Mai Ram, done CT scan they SUSPECTED grade A inflammation of pancreas and maybe appendix. GI doctor as usualy on vacation and I only saw part-time specialist. He put me on antibiotics for 2 weeks after 3 days I had ultrasound and inflammation has dissapeared (unlike in CR they only found 1 STONE 3mm in size and 2 polyps 4mm in size) I was told there is no need for surgery. However on a day of discharge specialist came back and said I have looked through records at sriburin in CR and still recommend surgery.

I got discharged went back to CR started to experience dull pains under right rib cage that come and go (but never severe) I had taken medicine for parasites and stayed on strict diet. Today feel a bit better no nausea and weakness in the morning.

Decision is still to be made about surgery Im afraid that with my IBS things will get worse after removing gallbladder (like vomiting and diarrhea ).

Anyway what I wanted to ask is there a qualified experienced surgeon in Chiang Mai Ram for laparascopic procedure. I looked through CVs on their websites it seems nobody is really have any qualifications for it. Neither do I think in CR.

I might be able to wait until early next month and do it in Bumrumgrad or BNH since I have AXA medical insurance. Any advises would be greatly appreciated.

[sup3r1or]

Just wanted to add any kind of info on procedure/recovery/surgeons/side effects and experiences will be greatly appreciated. I will most likely make my way to BKK next week to admit either in Bumrumgrad or BNH Hospital and hopefully get myself sorted.

[uptheos]

I had my gall bladder removed via laparoscopy by Dr, Trichak in 2005 at Sriphat. In and out in 24 hours, no problems whatsoever since.

I'm not sure if he's still there as I see his CV now says Ram http://www.chiangmairam.com/NEW%20CMR/Physician%20Th/CV%20th/Trichak.pdf

[arjunadawn]

It's a bit unclear from your post but the differential diagnosis seemed all over the place- pancreas (mostly different markers than liver/GB), liver, appendix, gall bladder. If you seek a surgeon please verify diagnosis and current labs. People live long and manageable lives without the gall bladder. It's job is the holding and release of bike, which enables the processing of fats from diet. Other than new dietary management you'll be fine. Cholecystectomy is quite common. Good luck.

[Sheryl]

It is easy enough to find a skilled surgeon for a laparoscopic choley in Bkk. My concern is that the diagnosis seems not to really be clear and there is a risk you could have the surgery only to find the pain unimproved. I think more attention ot differnetial diagnosis by a really top GI specialist should be your first step.

I suggest Dr. Supot Pongprasobchai at Siriraj http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html