Continue flying after single gallbladder attack with confirmed stones

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pffan

New Member
Howdy, Sunday after St Patrick's day I celebrated with some Corned beef and cabbage, yeah I probably ate too much, well Monday I had it for Lunch and dinner(had to get rid of those leftovers) then on Tuesday I had a large, large lunch of a Baked Meatloaf sandwich. (Ok, normally I'm not that bad, have recently lost weight, weigh less than I did in High School, run 20 miles/week, workout 5-6 days/week).
Besides feeling full on Tuesday night about 10pm I started to have pain in my upper right abdomen. Not knowing what it was I finally went to the ER about 4:30am and they did not have the ability to do a ultrasound. They sent me home with some Tylenol 3 with codine to help with the pain. The pain started to finaly subside about 9:00am Wednesday morning. I met with a GP later that day and she had the same guess of a Gallbladder. I had a ultrasound Thursday morning and Friday had the results of the ultrasound:
Multiple gallstones are seen
appearing in size from 1-2 mm to possibly 8-10 mm. No obvious
gallbladder wall thickening or gallbladder distention. Normal
liver, biliary tree, spleen, kidneys, renal collecting systems
and abdominal aorta.​
My plans are to meet with a Surgeon in April and will most likely have the Gallbladder out a couple of weeks after that.

This is the only time that I have had that problem/symptoms and definitely think it was tied to the multiday binge of fatty foods. I have not had any symptoms since that one episode. Don't expect that I will have any further episodes as long as I am reasonable with my fat intake.

My question am I ok to fly between now and surgery sometime in May due to schedule, etc(granted, normal recovery after surgery, won't fly until cleared by surgeon(anticpated 1 week recovery))?
I will plan on reporting all of this on my next application.

I would certainly classify this as NON-CRONIC.

Thank you in advance!
 
These small stones are the ones that get you into trouble. If you are a recreational pilot and fly short distances, you should be OK until you have surgery. If you fly long-haul commercial flights, be very careful with your diet (avoid the fat) until you have surgery. If you become symptomatic, you must self-ground under 61.53.

Gall bladder pain can be incapacitating. Best to get the surgery.
 
I had the best corned beef and cabbage of my entire life last night. Other than that, I have nothing else to add :)
 
Yes, I panon the surgery just as soon as my schedule and the surgeons can match up, most likely in May!
Thanks, and I will be extra careful when I'm on trip!
 
Pardon my typing... I was using my iPad and if I don't really double check the spelling and grammar it can come out terrible.
Let me try this again:
Yes, I planning on the Surgery just as soon as my schedule and the surgeons schedule can match up, most likely in May!
Thanks, and I will be extra careful when I'm on a trip!

I have the initial appointment schedule in 2 weeks and will schedule surgery as soon as he can, usually 1-2 weeks following according to his Medical Assistant.
 
I would be careful on your '1 week' recovery. Even though it is laparoscopic, I think 1 week is unlikely. I know people who have taken 1+ month off work, if in any way you have strain (even lifting up your carry on), you will be hurting. I would speak to your surgeon but expect a slightly longer time off.
 
I have mine scheduled for May and both AME and surgeon say after a week there will still be some pain but should be fit for duty (no throwing bags though).
 
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