topic Re: Gall Bladder surgery in Wellness

Gall Bladder surgery

shoppersince1989 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 13:37:43 GMT

Anyone who is concerned about having the surgery............

Had mine removed 2 days ago, and I'm 64 yrs.

Done as an outpatient.

Wonderful team, the doc had. Wow did they work together.

All of them knew what they had to do after they wheeled me in.

2 hours later. My husband drove me home.

I took a vicadin (sp?), and 1 more before I went to bed.

Thinking I might not of needed them after all.

I was cautious how much pain I would have, after what the doc gave me wore off.

4 incisions, not 3.

By the way, my last attack 2 weeks ago, had me doubled over in pain for 7 hours.

So glad I had this done.

Jean

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

hopi — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 13:54:23 GMT

Such a blessing to have a good Surgical team.

Don't over do it just because you feel good.

You have to stay ahead of the pain and the give great drugs during surgery.

Just take it easy and rest.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

shoppersince1989 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:08:29 GMT

Haven't taken any pain pills since Thursday. None yesterday.

Was also prescribed a pain ointment. Like that a lot better than a pill.

Don't feel I need that either.

Only sore when I try to get out of bed.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

brandiwine — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:09:18 GMT

Mine was super easy as well. I was about 56. I have 4 small "stab" wounds as well. Took a pain pill before bed the first night and then Advil if I needed it. It wasn't painful, just sore. Glad your feeling better. I don't miss those attacks.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

Katcat1 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:12:12 GMT

@shoppersince1989, So glad you are okay and it's over. The pain from gallbladder attacks is intense. Over 30 years ago, I was having gallbladder attacks and I would be doubled over and crying because the pain was so severe. I was afraid to eat and lost quite a bit of weight. Finally had the surgery but back then was major (did not have the small incisions yet). When I woke up the nurse was asking me to take deep breaths in and out (you have got to be kidding) anyway I was out in 4 days and healed quickly. You will heal even faster and feel like a new person. Take care.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

Trix — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:12:21 GMT

@shoppersince1989, good luck with recovery. Having suffered from a faulty gall bladder, if your case is like mine you are going to feel so much better once you have recovered from the actual surgery. Please be careful with your activity because although there are only small incisions outside, an organ was removed from inside so your body is traumatized.

Like you, what led to my surgery was a final straw of doubling over in excruciating unrelenting pain. In my case I fell over into a grocery store cooler and landed on blocks of cheese. In hindsight when I go into this store, the memory of me lying face down in the cheese sometimes makes me chuckle, but in the moment I was screaming and groaning loudly like a woman in labor.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

lulu2 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:30:55 GMT

@shoppersince1989

Wow, was that fast! I thought I had a quickie surgery; surgery Thursday then home Friday. I hope your recovery goes as quickly as your hospital time.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

1000Glosses — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:52:13 GMT

The first thing I said when I woke up was, "The pain is gone."

4 little incisions. The only one that bothered me a little was my bellybutton, but I didn't take any pain medication after surgery.

If you're having gallbladder issues, have the surgery if you can. It's well worth it.

None of the others mentioned this, but after the surgery, be careful what you eat because you'll be running to the bathroom a lot.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

lilac lover — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:02:48 GMT

Glad you are feeling great. I had the same surgery when I was 60ish, 15 or so years ago and I didn't have any problems at all. Like you, I don't remember needing any pain meds. Coughing or sneezing were the only things that bothered me! I have mild allergies. I wasn't allowed to do any heavy lifting but other than that I was back to my normal routine pretty quickly. You will feel sooo much better

@shopper since 1989 wrote:
Anyone who is concerned about having the surgery............

Had mine removed 2 days ago, and I'm 64 yrs.

Done as an outpatient.

Wonderful team, the doc had. Wow did they work together.
All of them knew what they had to do after they wheeled me in.

2 hours later. My husband drove me home.
I took a vicadin (sp?), and 1 more before I went to bed.
Thinking I might not of needed them after all.
I was cautious how much pain I would have, after what the doc gave me wore off.

4 incisions, not 3.

By the way, my last attack 2 weeks ago, had me doubled over in pain for 7 hours.
So glad I had this done.

Jean

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

wagirl — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:03:46 GMT

shopper----Yes I went thru this surgery after a whole month of agony and a 15 pound weight loss. Could not eat anything without horrible pain. Had outpatient surgery with 3 tiny incisions. Went home and took it easy for a couple weeks. Could eat normal after a few days. Didn't need heavy duty pain meds just motrin. Healed up beautifully and no issues with eating ANYTHING I want. This was in 2008.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

Kachina624 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:11:00 GMT

They've come a long way with this surgery since I had it in 1970. I was in the hospital almost a week, off from work 6 weeks. After I got home from the hospital, I got an infection in the incision and had a temp of 103° for a week. Finally doctor lanced it and within an hour temp was normal, but they'll have to catch me before I'll ever have that done again.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

shoppersince1989 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:29:05 GMT

Thanks for all the positive well wishes.

I haven't been warned on not what to eat.

Thinking it's fatty foods.

Anything you can't eat now, after surgery - that you could before?

This is the push I need to loose some weight, and eat healthier.

Jean

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

alicedee — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:36:42 GMT

I had laparoscopic gall bladder surgery back in the late 80s, when I was still in my thirties. I would have been home the next day, but surgeon nicked an artery...I had to have blood, surgical repair, and extra time in the hospital.

The attacks prior were horrendous...but no problems healing. I've been able to eat anything I want.

I'm sure you will feel great very soon. Best wishes to you, OP!!!

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

itsmagic — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 18:43:44 GMT

I had my gall bladder out this past June and I was shocked at how fast they had me in and out. Mine was almost as quick as yours. They wheeled me into the operating room at 7:30 am and at 10 am my husband was driving me home. Mine was laparoscopically too. When I went back for a follow up the surgeon had the report back from the hospital and my gall bladder had polyps, gall stones and inflammation.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

chrystaltree — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 19:21:11 GMT

The wonders of laparoscopic surgery. Ambulatory surgery as they call it. I'm happy things went so well for you. That's how they do many surgeries today.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

Snowpuppy — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 19:26:48 GMT

@shopper since 1989 wrote:
Thanks for all the positive well wishes.

I haven't been warned on not what to eat.
Thinking it's fatty foods.

Anything you can't eat now, after surgery - that you could before?

This is the push I need to loose some weight, and eat healthier.

Jean

Check with your gastro on what to eat/what to avoid. Your former gallbladder moved the bile from your liver which helps your digestive system to process food.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

Gracies Mom — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 19:47:23 GMT

I had my gallbladder out in 1995 laproscopically--I was one of the first patients to have that type of surgery in the hospital I worked at! My gallbladder stopped working--no stones or infection. My surgeon thinks it happened because I went on Weight Watchers and lost 39 lbs--the fat pad that was holding my gallbladder in place went away and the organ dropped--which caused it to stop working. The pain was terrible--suffered with it for 2 years until doctors could figure out what was wrong--since it wasn't the usual stones or inflammation.I was also one of the first (in my hospital) to have a gallbladder function test (using radioactive dye)--a brand new test at that time.

Bottom line---surgery went perfectly---I was home the same day--and able to eat anything--no more pain!!! I did have the runs for awhile--and couldn't go back to work for two weeks, even though I felt fine and wanted to go back in one week. Tiny incisions healed quickly--can't even tell I had the surgery done now. Didn't need painkillers after surgery--just had a lot of gas the evening I got home---I remember walking around my house most of the night--but that was all. I'm so glad I had the surgery and got rid of that miserable organ!!!!!!! My life is so much better without it. May God bless the soul of the surgeon who figured out what was wrong with me (he is since deceased--what a brilliant man!!). Anyone who needs to have their gallbladder out--JUST DO IT---stop suffering--life is too short!!!

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

tansy — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 19:58:12 GMT

I had mine removed a few years ago and it was the easiest surgery I've ever had. I took one pain pill as a precaution when I got home but none after that. The surgeon told me I should be able to eat whatever I want and that's been the case.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

chrystaltree — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 20:00:22 GMT

@shopper since 1989 wrote:
Thanks for all the positive well wishes.

I haven't been warned on not what to eat.
Thinking it's fatty foods.

Anything you can't eat now, after surgery - that you could before?

This is the push I need to loose some weight, and eat healthier.

Jean

There are no restrictions on what you can or cannot eat after they remove your gallbladder. It's what you can tolerate and differs person to person. Some people have gi issues with fatty foods; some people have to limit fats after the surgery but other people (like myself) don't have that problem. You'll figure it out for yourself.

Re: Gall Bladder surgery

CelticCrafter — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 20:52:30 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@shopper since 1989 wrote:
Thanks for all the positive well wishes.

I haven't been warned on not what to eat.
Thinking it's fatty foods.

Anything you can't eat now, after surgery - that you could before?

This is the push I need to loose some weight, and eat healthier.

Jean

There are no restrictions on what you can or cannot eat after they remove your gallbladder. It's what you can tolerate and differs person to person. Some people have gi issues with fatty foods; some people have to limit fats after the surgery but other people (like myself) don't have that problem. You'll figure it out for yourself.

My husband had his out in July and so far the only thing that has bothered him was Alfredo sauce. It's my favorite meal but unless I can find a recipe for a good low fat version, I won't make it anymore.