I'm having surgery..

[Cassie 8]

So the gallbladder attack I had on Boxing Day led to an ultrasound and a diagnosis of multiple gallstones. I will be having it removed on the 28th laproscopically.

Has any other VJ'er had this operation? Any experiences to share? I am especially curious how long it takes to recuperate and how the body adjusts to the loss of the gallbladder.

*sigh*

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I had mine out years ago, and no problems since. With the current proceducres not sure on the time since i had mine out the "old way" but from what i understand, its a simple procedure in/out type thing and ive been able to eat everything i like no problems. Dont think my body even missed it

[Welshcookie 17]

My husband had his gallbladder removed many years ago, he was happy not to have that pain anymore. He suffers alot from heartburn and goes through huge amounts of Rennnies....but he doesn't really follow the corrrect diet for a person lacking a gallbladder.

[~Chad~ 0]

No advice or experience to share but I wanted to wish you luck!

[AngelK96 0]

My sister just had an Lap Chole/gallbladder surgery removal this past tuesday. She had two small incisions on her abdomen, and I think one in the belly button.

She was dismiss the same day. She said she felt ok, but a little pain from gas they put in the abdomen to make it distended for the surgery. A couple days after the surgery is when she started feeling pain from the incision and being sore. They gave her a script for percocet when they dismissed her.

Angel

[LaL 418]

aww Cassie I am sorry to hear this. I went through this 10 years ago and the dayum ER sent me home with Tagament twice! Luckily I pursued and they found the same result. My gb was supposedly beyond any diet or other treatments, so i did have it removed as well. The surgery wasnt so bad, I have 3 tiny scars on my stomach, they were even so kind to "work around" my tattoo that is across my stomach around the belly button. I am going to have to agree with Angel though - the gas is the worst part when it cannot leave your body - my shoulders hurt the most.

the funniest thing was my confusion about the tiny pencil tip sized punctures in my lower stomach. (they used a fork kind of device to lift my stomach ). I only stayed on meds for 2 days post-op, but i was fully down for a good 2 weeks; then again I had dual surgery - i had two lap surgeries in one, for the gall bladder and a tubal ligation, so i had to take more time to recover.

best of luck to you, but really this wasnt so bad. just take it easy and get off the toilet really really slowly ok ok tmi

[Widge 0]

Have lived without my gallbladder for 30 years (OMG is it that long) with absolutely no effect on my eating habits whatsoever. stop reading now if you are squeamish the only "side effect" I have ever noticed is that pre op if you threw up that burning bile effect didnt happen till you'd been sick to emptyin gyour stomach now it can happen first time reason being you dont store the bile in you gall bladder anymore but it heads straight to tummy oh hw gross for a Saturday night. But seriously no long term effects whatsoever.

[MissStacey 1]

I had mine out in January 2000. I had two major attacks two nights in a row. The hospital kept me the second night and took it out the next day. The pain from the surgery was nothing compared to the attacks.

I was booked to leave for Mexico one week after surgery and was concerned that I wouldn't be able to go. I was fine. I was sore for a few days and a little slow moving. I hated sleeping on my back for the first few nights after. I felt really tired from the anesthetic.

I don't remember the Doctor telling me anything about aftercare. The day before I went to Mexico, I popped over to the MediCentre for a little check up. He said I could eat whatever I wanted. I do get heartburn if I eat alot of fatty food, but I did before I had the surgery too.

Don't be scared. All I remember is a weird icy feeling going up my arm when they were putting me to sleep and then them waking me up in recovery.

My mom had hers out the same age I was-26. She was amazed by the scope. She has a huge scar from her surgery. I can barely see mine- a few little ones.

Edited February 18, 2007 by Stacey33

[SoL. 0]

No experience on this kind of surgery but wish you luck and a quick recovery

[Cassie 8]

Thanks everyone for your input and well-wishes. I am not too worried about the procedure itself, as I have had surgeries before, I am just worried about how long it'll take before I'll want to get back to work. I can't afford to take the recommended week off

And hearing the pain from the operation is nothing compared to the attacks is good to hear -- I never want to go through that pain again!

And widge and lal_brandow, you two crack me up, no worries about the TMI! hehe

[Widge 0]

And widge and lal_brandow, you two crack me up, no worries about the TMI! hehe

hehehehehe you asked we shared RFLMAO

Take care and make sure you take the time you need your health is ALWAYS the number one priority. here's to a speedy recovery.

[Fandango 1,439]

Cassie, I have a friend who had severe gall bladder problems...apparantly her whole GB calcified into one big stone or something...anyways, she had it removed laproscopically...came home with practically a band aid covering a tiny tiny stitched area near her belly button...she was sore for a few days but not dreadfully in pain nor did she have a hard recovery.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hi Cassie,

My ex-wife had the same procedure done (laproscopically). It took her about a week before she was ready to go back to work. I wish you well and for a quick recovery.

[Flames9_RN 358]

As usual I have no useful info, but wish you a fast recovery.

[Reba 2]

its amazing what they can do laporascopically (sp?) these days. My Mum's gb scar is huge and ugly, but I've seen others with just the tiniest of incisions, and less than half the recovery time.

Don't overdo it afterward. If the doctor says you need a week, you'll need a week. And most of that will be trying to get the anesthetic out of your system and get your brain back to normal, probably moreso than the incision.