[Cross-posted to PALEOFOOD and RAW-FOOD]
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My poor husband had a horrible experience Saturday night -- agonizing pain
that he thought was a heart attack.  We got him to the emergency room, where
they did an ultrasound scan, found gallstones, and diagnosed him with
biliary colic. I'm not actually surprised, as he's had digestive problems
all his life, and both his parents had their gallbladders removed at
relatively young ages, but I'm very worried for him.
We seem to be looking at a cholecystectomy within the next few days.  Our
gastroenterologist and several of our de-gallbladderized friends are saying
"Take it out now!", but my husband says that, even though it might be best
to get it over with early and not have to deal with any more attacks, he's
not looking forward to being carved up.
The doctors told him to take nothing but clear liquids for the first 24
hours, then gradually introduce solid food, but absolutely no fat and no
alcohol.  The ER doctor recommended a no-fat, high-carb :-( diet -- I guess
that's not so bad if the carbs are paleo, and if it's only for the short
term while his gallbladder calms down, but still...
My husband is 42, sedentary, somewhat overweight, with a family history of
gallbladder trouble and lactose intolerance, and a life-long personal
history of bad digestion:  colic when he was a baby (on formula -- I know, I
know...), IBS with really bad intestinal cramps and diarrhea (better
recently since he identified his trigger foods), gastroesophageal reflux...
and now this.  He's mostly a SAD eater, but avoids fats, particularly animal
fats.  I suppose I might have had a shot at paleo-educating him before this
happened, if he had not read the "T-Factor Diet", which claims very simply
that "fat makes you fat".  He said that was the first dietary theory that
had ever made sense to him.  :-(

Anyway, my questions are these:
1)  Is it too late to save his gallbladder, with the presence of gallstones
confirmed?  Is it worth trying, or would it just prolong his suffering?
2)  Do those gallbladder flushes I've read about really work?  Are they
painful?
3)  Are there successful non-surgical treatments for gallstones, and how do
we get them?
And finally, and most on-topic:
4)  Is there paleo after gallbladder surgery?

I know he's a grown man and in charge of what goes into his mouth, but I
feel horribly guilty that I couldn't "save" him from this experience, or set
him a good enough example, or cook right, or whatever.  He really was in
dreadful pain, shaking and moaning -- I'm sure anyone on the list who has
had gallbladder problems can understand.  It was a frightening experience
for both of us.  I'd do anything for him, if I only knew what!  Please, I'd
be extremely grateful for any information you can send.
BTW, his name is Steve, in case anyone wants to send prayers/good thoughts.
Thank you all for your patience and wisdom.

Mary L. Saunders
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