topic Re: Gall Bladder Surgery in Community Chat

Gall Bladder Surgery

MistyWhisper — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:13:45 GMT

Hello, Has anyone on this forum had gallbladder surgery, where it is just a few incisions and you go home the same day? I read on another forum that some people started having trouble years later because they did not get the gallstones out of their bile duct. I am facing this surgery soon, but still won't know if I have to have the big incision or the small ones. Thanks

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

PurpleBunny — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:25:45 GMT

Tiny incision - laparoscopic. Easily healed. Many people find they can't eat dairy after, but I've never had an issue. I had a stone that escaped and hid. It popped out a couple of years ago and I thought I was having a heart attack. I had NO idea it could be a gallstone since my gallbladder had been gone for years.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

RedHeadedWench — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:59:42 GMT

I had laproscopic surgery for my gall bladder, came home the next day. I hardly have a scar.

Recovery wasn't too bad, I was my old self again in about a week. The only thing I cannot eat now are green peppers. LOL

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

MathisFan — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:39:25 GMT

Had mine done laparoscopically in 1998. Came home the same day. No problems whatsoever since. I wasn't even sore from the little incisions.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:40:23 GMT

Laproscopic here, too, and came home the same day. That was about seven years ago. I've been fine ever since with absolutely no problems whatsoever. I can eat anything and have no issues. Not really scars either. I went in, went to sleep, and woke up without the bladder. Piece of cake. Seriously.

My doctor did warn me that sometimes a stone can get caught in the duct. It happens. He also warned about bad diarrhea with some patients after surgery, too. Nothing like that happened. I'm good.

Good luck with your surgery.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

Pqfan — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:53:57 GMT

Hi MistyWhisper.

I had my galbladder out in 2005.

I was in and out the same day.

It wasn't bad at all and I felt so much better after having it removed.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:25:41 GMT

I had my gallbladder surgery in 1982, a month after my first child was born, and had the slice across my belly. I think I spent another week in the hospital following surgery. There were two drains put in. One came out before I was discharged and the other remained for another week. The doctor removed it at my post-op checkup. For the 8" or so that was hanging out, I swear there was 2 feet inside - icky feeling as it was removed.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

Jessa9 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:01:59 GMT

I've had it, I was in and out. Fortunately I had no problems. I had huge gallstones and the doc said if I didn't have my gallbladder removed they would come back or go into the pancreas which can cause a lot of problems.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

cab1955 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:07:47 GMT

Had mine done before laparascopy. You will feel MUCH better. It is genetic. My Mom and sister had theirs out too. cb

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

EmmaBunting — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:36:35 GMT

On 2/12/2014 cab1955 said:
Had mine done before laparascopy. You will feel MUCH better. It is genetic. My Mom and sister had theirs out too. cb

Me too, cab. I have a HUGE 8" scar...and the recovery took so much longer! Good luck, mistywhistper!

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

hsawaknow — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:53:16 GMT

I had mine out in 1988 and I had to have mine cut out. The body still produces bile and last summer I did get another stone but I was able to pass it. It was very painful! Nowadays the surgery is almost painless and most people recover quickly. Good luck and get well and get better soon!

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

ilovedaisies — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:57:57 GMT

I had it done the old fashioned way because it was 1977. Was in the hospital for a week and then had help at home for a few days more because I had a toddler. Every since that operation I've had problems digesting onions and garlic. Sometimes I can handle it, but other times it makes me horribly sick so I try to stay away from it.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

Kachina624 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:39:18 GMT

I had the old fashioned surgery in 1970. Was hospitalized a week, the went home with an infection and had a 103 degree temp for the most miserable week of my life until the surgeon could lance it. I'd say this is to be avoided at all costs. I didn't have any side-effects until the last few years when I've developed some gastro-intestinal problems, which may or may not be related to gall bladder removal.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

EmmaBunting — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:47:25 GMT

On 2/12/2014 ilovedaisies said:
I had it done the old fashioned way because it was 1977. Was in the hospital for a week and then had help at home for a few days more because I had a toddler. Every since that operation I've had problems digesting onions and garlic. Sometimes I can handle it, but other times it makes me horribly sick so I try to stay away from it.

Oh gosh! Me too! I never equated the two! I did discover that it was mostly cooked onions. I thought it was garlic too because most times, garlic and onions are cooked together. You have no idea how many things I cook for my husband that I don't even eat because of the onions in them!

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

MistyWhisper — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:47:48 GMT

Thanks everyone for all your information . I really enjoyed reading all of your experiences. I will try not to be such a baby when getting this procedure done!!

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

sweetpea53 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:28:25 GMT

On 2/12/2014 PamelaSue72 said:
Laproscopic here, too, and came home the same day. That was about seven years ago. I've been fine ever since with absolutely no problems whatsoever. I can eat anything and have no issues. Not really scars either. I went in, went to sleep, and woke up without the bladder. Piece of cake. Seriously.

My doctor did warn me that sometimes a stone can get caught in the duct. It happens. He also warned about bad diarrhea with some patients after surgery, too. Nothing like that happened. I'm good.

Good luck with your surgery.

I am one of those people that the dr warned you about.He said it may last a year. But it's been more than 20 years. I think it's like 1% that have this problem. that's me.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

Irshgrl31201 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:31:56 GMT

My daughter is facing this right now and she is pregnant. She has had two really painful attacks and has seen a surgeon. He wants to wait until she has given birth. I am so worried over this. We are going to get a second opinion from a surgeon my GP really recommended. She had a really bad one on Saturday and I am just out of my mind with worry. She has her second opinion tomorrow but it is snowing so much here today that I am pretty sure they won't be opened tomorrow.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

lulu2 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:39:26 GMT

If laparoscopic is an option, go for it. I had the traditional surgery and had complications from the anesthetic and a slow recovery. A year later I had adhesions.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

pattypeep — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 01:20:14 GMT

I had the surgery about 11 years ago and they checked the ducts at the same time that they removed the gall bladder. I went home the same day and only took otc pain meds because prescription ones make me sick. The best of luck to you.

Re: Gall Bladder Surgery

EmmaBunting — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 02:52:40 GMT

On 2/12/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
My daughter is facing this right now and she is pregnant. She has had two really painful attacks and has seen a surgeon. He wants to wait until she has given birth. I am so worried over this. We are going to get a second opinion from a surgeon my GP really recommended. She had a really bad one on Saturday and I am just out of my mind with worry. She has her second opinion tomorrow but it is snowing so much here today that I am pretty sure they won't be opened tomorrow.

Oh gosh, Irsh.....so sorry to hear this. What a worry! The stones can get stuck in the ducts and be quite painful.....and sometimes cause major complications. Yikes. I would be worried about surgery when she's pregnant....and I would be worried if she waits. Pregnancy can cause gallbladder problems....that's when I had my problems...but it was 6 months after I gave birth, luckily. I just remember being in such pain that I wanted the surgery immediately.

Good luck .....and God bless your daughter and that precious new life.