Posted by Carl Plaskett on December 15, 2002 at 17:34:59:
In Reply to: Gall bladder attacks after maze posted by rob hamill on December 14, 2002 at 10:11:36:
Rob: I doubt there is any "linkage" between the maze and your gall bladder problem. The rapid weight loss/gall bladder syndrome however, seems to be pretty common. Two years ago, I challenged one of my employees to lose weight by Christmas for a $500 bonus. He was too enthusiastic, and lost 115 lbs in 7 months (285 to 170). A couple of months or so afterwards, he had finally had to have his gall bladder removed. Another employee's wife decided to lose weight with a prescription drug, and went from about 220 to around 105 in 6 months. She also had her gall bladder removed. These incidents did not escape my attention, and I have lost over 40 lbs since the maze, but have done it mostly over the last 8 months. I hope that this wasn't too fast, since I would like to lose another 20 or so in the next 2-3 months.
I know I have said it before, but for the benefit of other potential mazers out there: The "split sternum" version of the maze was a minor discomfort compared to a kidney stone the year before as far as I am concerned. Even a severe bout of diverticulitis was more painful for me.
The mini-maze between the ribs is supposed to be associated with more discomfort, since it goes through nerve/muscle tissue, but the recovery to normal activities is quicker.