Behind every statistic is a person whose life changed in an instant. These are the survivors, advocates, and families who have chosen to share their journey — so the next patient walks into surgery better informed, and the next surgeon better equipped.
Patient Story
Cleveland, OH
I had been told gallbladder surgery was one of the safest procedures you could have. The kind of thing you walk into in the morning and walk out of by lunch. I was 56 and otherwise healthy.
What no one told me was that 1 in roughly 55 of these surgeries ends in a bile duct injury. I became one of those numbers. Twelve days after my procedure I was back in the ER with a fever of 104 and yellow skin. The bile had been leaking inside me the entire time.
Three reconstructive surgeries later, I'm still here. But the woman I was before that morning is not. I share my story so other patients walk into that consultation with the right questions — the questions I never thought to ask.
Cleveland, OH
“I went in for a routine procedure. I came out fighting for my life. Now I share my story so the next person never has to.”
Patient Story
Austin, TX
When my wife handed me the printout about ICG fluorescence imaging the night before my surgery, I almost didn't bring it. I didn't want to be 'that patient.' I'm so glad I was.
My surgeon was honest. He said his hospital had the equipment but didn't always use it for routine cases. We talked it through. He used it for mine. Two weeks later I went back to work.
Austin, TX
“If just one surgeon reads this and decides to use the green light next time — that’s enough for me.”
Patient Story
Austin, TX
When my wife handed me the printout about ICG fluorescence imaging the night before my surgery, I almost didn't bring it. I didn't want to be 'that patient.' I'm so glad I was.
My surgeon was honest. He said his hospital had the equipment but didn't always use it for routine cases. We talked it through. He used it for mine. Two weeks later I went back to work.
Austin, TX
“If just one surgeon reads this and decides to use the green light next time — that’s enough for me.”
Patient Story
Cleveland, OH
I had been told gallbladder surgery was one of the safest procedures you could have. The kind of thing you walk into in the morning and walk out of by lunch. I was 56 and otherwise healthy.
What no one told me was that 1 in roughly 55 of these surgeries ends in a bile duct injury. I became one of those numbers. Twelve days after my procedure I was back in the ER with a fever of 104 and yellow skin. The bile had been leaking inside me the entire time.
Three reconstructive surgeries later, I'm still here. But the woman I was before that morning is not. I share my story so other patients walk into that consultation with the right questions — the questions I never thought to ask.
Cleveland, OH
“I went in for a routine procedure. I came out fighting for my life. Now I share my story so the next person never has to.”
We invite survivors, family members, and care partners to share their experiences. Stories are reviewed sensitively and published with your full consent — anonymously if you prefer.
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