topic Gall bladder surgery in Wellness

Gall bladder surgery

Mom in NY — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 14:43:36 GMT

Can anyone tell me about recovery for this surgery

Re: Gall bladder surgery

wagirl — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 14:49:33 GMT

Mine was done in 2008---had a miserable month before surgery . The surgery was a day one for me and done by a robot--was pretty easy and a little painful but nothing OTC pain meds didn't help. Took me about 2 weeks to go back to work but was up and around right away. I did take it easy, no heavy lifting or huge blow out meals

Re: Gall bladder surgery

KingstonMom — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 14:49:58 GMT

Mine was done by laparoscope, so I only had a restriction on lifting anything heavy for a few days.

Other than that, it was a breeze!

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Mom in NY — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 14:52:38 GMT

Thank you all so much

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Carmie — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 15:27:45 GMT

I had my gallbladder removed with lapascopic surgery...was home the same day.

I was sent home with pain pills that I never used. I had no pain. I spent the next10 days off from work on our boat having a nice relaxing vacation.

I was told I had three very large stones that calcified and they had to be removed whole...they wouldn't break up, so my incision was little bigger than normally it would be.

I had no stitches, just paper steri strips and today, I can't even find where those incisions were. The scars faded away.

I was getting gall bladder attacks almost every day for months before surgery. It was wonderful to get that gall bladder removed.

If you need the surgery, get it done before it ruptures. That surgery and recovery is not something you want to go through.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 15:52:10 GMT

Mine was done in 1982 - a long slice on my belly, staples, and a couple of drains. I was in the hospital for close to a week. No lifting for a few weeks after I got back home. Your experience will be much easier. Good luck.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Still Raining — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 15:49:53 GMT

Had the laparoscopic done and it was truly a nonevent. Finally DD gave up said she was not going to stay the night, so I took the dogs out for their evening stroll. Only stayed home from work for the next day.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Ronettes — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 16:04:51 GMT

The surgery was nothing, back at work after a few days.

It was afterwards, because the gall bladder is gone, you may have to watch what you eat.

Limit fried foods, anything fatty, lots of veggies and a sensible diet. Otherwise you might have some gastro troubles.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

BlueFinch — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 16:35:28 GMT

@Mom in NY If I had known I would eventually have a major gallbladder attack that caused pancreatitis (yes, in January), I would have had my GB taken out long ago. It was quite serious.

So, while I had a rough ride for a bit, I was finally able to schedule surgery. By then, I would have taken it out myself, with a kitchen knife and salad fork...LOL. I wanted it gone!

You'll be fine. I had the robotic surgery and things went smoothly. Went home right after surgery. I had almost zero pain for the first couple of days, then only soreness as things were healing.

You'll be able to get back to routine activities quickly, but do follow the instructions. Heavy lifting and certain exercise is out for a while. While you will be feeling like taking more on, remember you will still be healing inside.

Some have GI complaints. I'm one of them. I have to avoid fatty foods, also sweets are affecting me. So a healthy diet for me is a must, which is probably a benefit. But, some can't even tell they're missing their gallbladder. So outcomes can be different, but manageable.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

cheriere — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 17:02:20 GMT

@BlueFinch wrote:
@Mom in NY If I had known I would eventually have a major gallbladder attack that caused pancreatitis (yes, in January), I would have had my GB taken out long ago. It was quite serious.

So, while I had a rough ride for a bit, I was finally able to schedule surgery. By then, I would have taken it out myself, with a kitchen knife and salad fork...LOL. I wanted it gone!

You'll be fine. I had the robotic surgery and things went smoothly. Went home right after surgery. I had almost zero pain for the first couple of days, then only soreness as things were healing.

You'll be able to get back to routine activities quickly, but do follow the instructions. Heavy lifting and certain exercise is out for a while. While you will be feeling like taking more on, remember you will still be healing inside.

Some have GI complaints. I'm one of them. I have to avoid fatty foods, also sweets are affecting me. So a healthy diet for me is a must, which is probably a benefit. But, some can't even tell they're missing their gallbladder. So outcomes can be different, but manageable.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I have a similar problem now with mine because I didn't have my gallbladder removed.😔

Now, the Dr even told me after I get it removed, I'll still have to watch out because stones can still form and get lodged in the pancreas ducts.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Kachina624 — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 17:02:35 GMT

I had surgery the old fashion way in 1970. Was a week in the hospital in bad pain then my incision became infected and the abscess had to be lanced after a week with a high temperature. Miserable experience. Very painful. Laparoscopic surgery has been a wonderful invention for this procedure.

I've never had any dietary restrictions and eat whatever I want.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

chlema — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 17:47:39 GMT

Had laparoscopic removal about 10 years ago. Only problem I had was the shoulder pain I had that night, not pleasant. No one told me to move my arms around after the surgery to dispel whatever they use to inflate the abdomen. That lasted for 1 night, then all was well.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Goodie2shoes — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 17:49:13 GMT

My how surgery has changed ! I'm reading all of the post on this thread about the lap surgery procedures now with home in the same day or a couple of days. I had my gallbladder removed back in 1974( I believe) and had a NG tube (nasogastric), my stomach has a long incision line. I was in the Hospital for a week and remember coming home, sitting down and my son who was about 3 yrs old came running to hug me and jumped up on my stomach and I thought my incision was going to come open ! (It didn't thank goodness ) It's good to see this procedure has much improved.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Happy2BHere — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 18:01:38 GMT

Mine was also laparoscopic and a breeze. I came in through the ER and I had a CAT scan, and yep, the gallbladder must come out.

I did have one problem for a couple days after surgery when my abdomen broke out in a really itchy red rash. The surgeon decided I must have been allergic to the chlorhexidine wash they used on my skin before surgery (I did add that allergy to my medical records so they won't use that on me again). Now, that was miserable!

Re: Gall bladder surgery

kate2357 — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Had emergency gall bladder removal about 3 years ago. It was removed via laparoscopic procedure. Was very happy to have those stomach pains go away. Recovery went fine. No pain or any pain medication required. I followed doctor's after surgery recommendations regarding approved activities.

For myself, food afterwards caused me to need to be close to a bathroom after eating. Even eating good fats, like olive oil, avocados...etc., caused me problems. Someone on boards suggested taking bile salts. I discussed bile salts with my primary and she had no issues/concerns. You may want to ask your doc about taking this supplement.

I take this brand and only take 1 with each meal. If I have 2 meals, I take 1 at each meal.

Good luck. I am sure you will be happy tono longer have those painful attacks.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 19:40:15 GMT

Glad the bile salts are working for you, @kate2357. 😉

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Flatbush — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 20:24:58 GMT

@Mom in NY

It was the best surgery ever. Strange that I used the word "best"..NO, it was easy peasy and it corrected a years old, horrible, episodes of 8 (eight) hour of physical nightmares.

It was done laproscopically.

It felt like a new world to me.

A few restrictions i.e. heavy lifting etc.

Go in with no fear and be happy it is available.

Let us know after it is done that you are relieved!

Re: Gall bladder surgery

DrakesMomma — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 22:25:42 GMT

Mine was taken out about a year and a half ago. It was done laparoscopically. Home the same day. I had shoulder pain for about two days as the gases were working out of my body and that is normal for me. Had a soft diet for about a week and slowly began eating real food again.

My doc was kinda excited about my case. My gallbladder just stopped working. Once he was in my belly and was about to see it and the ducts, he saw no trama of passing any stones. I had sludge but almost every does. My husband told me in the post anesthesia care unit when the doc came to talk to me I told him I was happy to help him. I have no memory of it but sound just like me.

Re: Gall bladder surgery

shoesnbags — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 02:41:07 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I had surgery the old fashion way in 1970. Was a week in the hospital in bad pain then my incision became infected and the abscess had to be lanced after a week with a high temperature. Miserable experience. Very painful. Laparoscopic surgery has been a wonderful invention for this procedure.

I've never had any dietary restrictions and eat whatever I want.

Oh wow, @Kachina624 , it sounds like we were "gall bladder sisters." I had mine removed in 1970 at the ripe old age of 21 and had all of the same complications as you did. Incision had to be re-opened just like yours. It was a staph infection and a 10 day hospital stay. My incision scar looks like a railroad track - ugh.

Unlike you, I have problems with some foods, but not the same foods as some of the other posters have mentioned. Onions, garlic and bell peppers cause me misery, and after all these years I still have to take a med every night to prevent IBS that is a direct result of that surgery. I'm convinced that staph infection must have affected something in my digestive system. Yes, the newer laproscopic surgery is truly a gift for everyone who needs their gall bladder removed. What an improvement on the great big incision they made on us!

Re: Gall bladder surgery

Kachina624 — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 03:58:42 GMT

@shoesnbags. I don't know about you, but that big Ole scar ruined me for bikini wearing. Ah, the burdens we must bear.