i'm 22, female, and have had digestive problems for a few years now. bloating, discomfort, rolling pain, and gas is normal; i also get attacks of acute pain at night sometimes. i am vegetarian and a little overweight (5"9 and 170 lbs, fairly muscular with lean limbs, carrying most of the weight in my mid-section), but i generally don't eat fatty foods (though i do drink 2 cups of coffee/day and a couple squares of dark chocolate, i also have a cheese fondness but i try to limit that). i try to eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies, and mostly whole grains.

i finally went for an ultrasound a few months ago, and they found that i had gallstones - fairly large ones - as well as a slightly inflamed pancreas. was sent to a gastroenterologist and booked for surgery, which will (?) happen within the month. i asked the surgeon about possible complications and got the same answers you'll find on a mainstream medical site - nothing about long-term complications, except for a 'slightly increased risk of colon cancer that shouldn't deter anyone from the surgery.'

i am sick of feeling sick and being bloated, and i'm also really worried about the inflamed pancreas. so i agreed to the surgery.

i've recently been doing some internet research, and have come across a lot of people complaining of annoying and/or serious issues post-surgery. i am concerned because i am young and want to lead a long, healthy life. i'm not interested in doing a cleanse, because a) i've read things that have de-bunked them and b) too much oil can induce a serious reaction that necessitates emergency surgery! (i have done the master cleanse and have nothing against the idea of doing a cleanse in general).

i know that i should make some dietary changes, but i also know that i eat more healthily than most people i know. i've been vegetarian for 11 years. i *think* the gallstones developed either from being on the pill (i noticed serious hormonal fluctuations and behavioural changes and was only on it for 6 months), or from eating too much soy.

i'm going to call my gastroenterologist tomorrow to book another appointment and discuss the sound-wave treatment, but i fear that he'll think i'm unnecessarily worried and won't want to pursue a non-surgical treatment.

i'd like to hear from other people who've had the surgery, or people with medical knowledge. i'm kind of freaking out about the surgery and really really questioning having it done. though i do need some relief from the pain and discomfort i experience on a daily basis.

has anyone had the sound-wave treatment done??

thanks!! i really appreciate feedback.