Gall Bladder Removal *UPDATE*

[MissElphie]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 2:26pm

I remember reading a long time ago that some people here have had their Gall Bladder removed. I have surgery to have this done in a week and am pretty nervous. I've never even had my tonsils removed!
I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect from the procedure itself and the recovery. It's one thing to hear it from my surgeon and another to hear it from people who have actually been through it. Also, my doctor said my diet won't have to change after the surgery, but other people have said that is not true. Do any people have problems with certain foods now that they didn't before?
Anything to help calm me would be wonderful. Or any tips about what I should have stocked and ready in my house for my recovery.
Updated On: 2/13/07 at 02:26 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 2:29pm

I want to wish you the best of luck

My hopes are for a speedy recovery

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 3:13pm

Yep. Had mine out 6 years ago. Piece of cake. I'm assuming your procedure will be laproscopic - just 4 small incisions. I was home in 24 hours with painkillers that I never had to take. The first day I was on a liquid diet. The following 2 days, soft, bland food. After recovery there were no restrictions. As many who know me here can tell you - I eat anything and everything.

You'll do fine. Let us know how you make out. Good luck!

[MissElphie]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 3:25pm

Yes, it is the laproscopic method (thank goodness! I am told the other method is quite the ordeal).
Thanks for the well wishes!
Bluemoon: with the 4 small inscisions, were there stiches you had to worry about, or were they so small stitches weren't necessary? Also, did you scar?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 3:31pm

Good thoughts to you Sam!

[keen on kean]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 3:52pm

Best of luck! You will be just fine. This is a surprisingly common op. My husband had this about 4 years ago - he had stitches but the incisions are really small. He had minimal post-op pain. He developed scars but he doesn't heal well generally so he may not be typical. If you do end up with scars, ask if a dermatologist can help minimize them. It sure beats the old full abdominal incision!

[orion59]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 4:43pm

I had it done four years ago. Four tiny incisions, minimal pain...I wouldn't even call it pain really. Itw as more of a discomfort, a tight feeling in the abdomen.
I was given percocet which I took for the discomfort the first couple of days and just to help me sleep, then took them just for fun after that. I was sent home only a few hours after the surgery and was up and moving around just fine within a couple of days.

I was told to stay out of work for five weeks just to ensure that everything had healed completely and because, even though it's not really painful, it does take a couple of weeks before you get back your full energy level without getting tired out.

the worst thing was that the gas they use to inflate the abdomen in order to get the instruments and scope in there formed a bubble behind my shoulder blade. That was painful every time I moved for a few days. It was like having a pulled or sprained muscle in the back. It's apparently not uncommon for that to happen.

Other than that, it was a simple procedure and recovery was pretty quick.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 4:53pm

My husband was sent home after 48 hours. He was told not to lift or strain but also told not to immobilze himself too much - sometimes if you can walk around the house a little every once in a while you don't have the air bubble problem. Be sure to ask your doctor how much activity and what type you should plan. My husband was retired at the time, and didn't have to think about getting back to work, but he was pretty much back to normal routine in 3 weeks. And boy, does he like percocet!

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 5:43pm

Hmmmm......sounds like I missed out on all the fun, not taking the painkillers and all.

All the above is true - especially the part about getting your energy level back. I was operated on early on a Thursday, went back to work half days the next Tuesday. I was surprised at how tired I would get by noon. It took about a month to get back to full speed.

Of the 4 scars, only the main one is still visible, and even then it's barely visible.

Now where did I stash those pills........

[beacon1]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 5:51pm

I had that surgery 3 years ago. I had mine in mid-afternoon so I stayed overnight. Wasn't too uncomfortable but they gave me lortab for pain. It worked really well. I had a prior gallbladder/pancreatitis attack that put me in the hospital for a week. That was way worse.

Was very tired the first few days (general anesthesia "hang over") and was told to hold a pillow against my stomach and make myself cough. Back to work in two weeks but got tired easily. Had to go back for some pre-scheduled office things. Should have stayed out another week. The incisions weren't bad.

Food wise, it's taken my awhile to get back to "normal." I have
an on/off problem of a metallic taste and some discomfort. I can't connect it with any food/diet in particular. It comes and goes.

It's easy to tell you not to worry because I've been there--but it's natural to worry. Just know it is a common operation.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 6:02pm

I had an appendectomy a couple years ago and it left me with scars.

A short while ago (about 3 months), I was sick of the scars so I asked my doctor what I can use. He recommended this cream that does seem to be helping. For a while, it doesn't seem like it's doing anything but you will see a difference in a couple months. You do have to use it as directed- which means 3-4 times DAILY for the first 8 weeks and then 2-3 times DAILY for about 6 months.

It's called Mederma- you can get it at any drugstore. It's a bit expensive though.

**I just re-read that and I feel like an advertisement for it.**

[MissElphie]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 9:11pm

Thanks everyone! I feel a little better. I'm still nervous, but I can't wait to have all of this over with. It will be nice to live without pain.

[blueroses]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 9:29am

When I was in my mid twenties I went on NutriSystem. I lost the weight but the crappy, overprocessed garbage I had to eat gave me gallstones! Eek!

I had laparascopic surgery and I was fine. It was three or four small incisions (the scars have faded totally). I did wake up with a very sore throat from the anesthesia, and I had a rough couple of days. I was in pain, but you will get through it. I was also sick the first night in the hospital--I was nauseous from the painkillers.

Warning: They will make you walk that night or that day...you have to get moving. A lot of the pain is gas pain, because you're pumped full of air from the incisions. Walking will help this. Recovery IS fast and you'll be ambulatory very quickly (they WILL make you walk, even though you are uncomfortable...it's important).

Re: "Also, my doctor said my diet won't have to change after the surgery, but other people have said that is not true. Do any people have problems with certain foods now that they didn't before? "

That wasn't the case with me. Actually, it was the opposite. The gallstones gave me terrible problems with food. Anything the least bit greasy or acidic (even tomato sauce) could set off an attack, with horrible, sharp back and chest pains that could keep me awake and in agony for hours. After the surgery and recovery? It was miraculous. I could eat absolutely anything and I would feel fine (note: if you struggle at all with weight, this can prove to be a problem!)

It's worth having the surgery, believe me. Gallstones are a bitch. You will feel SO much better. The first few days can be tough and you may feel sore but, you know what? The gallbladder attacks were much worse. You'll be fine. Good luck.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 10:57am

In July, I had Laparascopic surgery on my colon

After a few days when you get home you will start your recovery & be fine in no time

[cabarethed]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 11:26am

My former boss had this done a couple years ago and was forced on a strict diet for about 6 weeks prior to surgery. She was also very obese, and they weren't even sure if she could get the laparascopic surgery. But after a month recovery she was fine, just couldn't lift too much and returned to her old ways of eating and drinking anyway. Hope everything goes smoothly for you, you'll be fine!

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 11:41am

blueroses: When I was in my mid twenties I went on NutriSystem.

Mid twenties? I thought you were like...19ish.


Ok, sorry for that threadjack.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 12:09pm

My sister had her gall bladder removed many years ago. Back then there was a long recovery time and a huge scar. Modern medicine is wonderful.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 1:56pm

Yeah, I'm with SweetQ. I totally thought you were 19ish too!lol!

[MissElphie]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 2:05pm

That wasn't the case with me. Actually, it was the opposite. The gallstones gave me terrible problems with food. Anything the least bit greasy or acidic (even tomato sauce) could set off an attack, with horrible, sharp back and chest pains that could keep me awake and in agony for hours.

This is exactly what I go through now! Tomato sauce is the devil. If this surgery actually helps get rid of that, I will be the happiest person on the planet. It doesn't help when your entire step-family is italian. Tomato sauce is a way of life.

Updated On: 1/28/07 at 02:05 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 2:09pm

I had the laproscopic. I was on painkillers for one day and then back to normal. I resumed my normal diet immediately. It is simple. relax. Best of luck.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 1/28/07 at 8:09pm

I remember being in Las Vegas with my sister before her surgery. I think she threw up the whole vacation. Once she was laughing at something and the laughing resulted in projectile vomiting.

[blueroses]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 10:30am

Also, have lip balm handy post-surgery. They are likely to be chapped and dry because of the anesthesia and the no-drinking restriction before your operation. It sounds like a silly thing, but it makes a difference!

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 10:51am

My gall-bladder surgery was quick and easy. Four small incisions, minimal scarring, but I have hair on my chest and belly, so they barely show.

For the first three weeks after, I was sore, but a short walk every day made the pain go away. I avoided fatty foods for about a month, until i couldn't stand it anymore and had some pizza. Went right through me.

Nowadays, I only have problems if i eat a lot of fat. I recently went to a dinner where somebody served a whole roasted pig. The room was dark, so it was hard to tell was was pig meat and what was fat. I was on the pot all the next day.

[MissElphie]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:41pm

Hi everyone:

Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I had my surgery on Monday and it was successful. Though, my recory has been a bit rocky and very painful. I don't think the piankillers they gave me worked well enough for me (they are what I take regularly for migraines). I'm still sore 4 days later, but getting there. The gas was terribly painful. Thanks to those people who warned me about the shoulder pain. It would have freaked me out otherwise.
I particularily have problems with the incision by my belly button. It hurts A LOT. The cuts don't look infected or red or anything, though. Did anyone else have this problem?

I also tire real easily and am still not very hungry. Eating makes me naseous, so I'm sticking with soups and stuff. I actually thought this process would be a whole lot easier. I guess it doesn't help I threw out my back the day before the surgery, so now I am both healing my back AND my stomach.



Updated On: 2/9/07 at 06:41 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:51pm

Glad to hear it came out OK

Before you know it, you will be back in the saddle again. Take care