Have you ever had gallbladder problems or surgery?

[Blue_Roses]

I just found out this morning that I have to have my gallbladder taken out because of "numerous stones." I go to see the surgeon tomorrow and even though I've been told it's relatively easy surgery, I'm still nervous. Just something about "going under."

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.:(

[In_The_Wind]

1. Relax! It was a piece of cake.

[henslee]

2. Your fears are understandable but I do think this surgery

is pretty routine. To inform yourself...here's a decent link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002930.htm

[Tikki]

3. Even though I had the .....

old fashion 'cut me open and yank it out' surgery....it went so smooth and I had no more gallbladder pain after the surgery.
Now they have laser and such surgery...piece of cake, I'm told.

Like the lady in the bed next to me said, during my short recovery, "May your road ahead be less rocky."


Tikki

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Piece of cake.

No pain afterwards, easy convalescence. You'll be fine.

[MissMillie]

5. It's a pretty easy surgery

especially if it is done laproscopically (sp?). "Going under" is probably the biggest risk (which is true of a lot of surgery).

They'll take it out and you'll feel sore for a few days.

That's really it.

[LibertyLover]

6. Had no problems

Had mine removed 8 years ago. It was no problem at all and I was thankful to be rid of the bouts of gallstone colic. It had gotten so bad just before surgery that just drinking a glass of water could bring on an attack. I went in the hospital in the morning and was released the next day. It was done laproscopically, as are many gallbladder removals. One thing you should be aware of is that the gas they use during the surgery to expand the abdomen so they can see and use the laproscope and instruments is absorbed into the bloodstream and, as my surgeon said, comes out one end or the other. What I was not told is that while the gas is being absorbed and excreted, it can be a bit painful, not pain like gallstone colic by any means but uncomfortable. The other thing is to get a small pillow and keep it with you for when you lie down or get up or cough. For the first couple of days hold it over your stomach when you move or cough. You will much happier than if you don't. I watch what I eat now so that I don't eat too much fatty stuff, but other than that I have no problems.

[LostinVA]

7. No worries! In, out, and back at work in less than a week

NOTHING like when they used to have to saw you quite literally in half.

[Blue_Roses]

8. Thanks for all the support

I really appreciate it. Hopefully, I will be able to join the ranks of many of you who have gone through it as saying, "piece of cake."

Will be nice to feel much better:)

[gollygee]

9. My surgery was scheduled for 7:30, I was home by 11

:D

Good luck!

[AlCzervik]

10. i had mine out about 15 years ago--the old way, not the laproscopic

procedure. It's not a big deal and compared to having a gallbladder attack it's a walk in the park. I swear my gallbladder attacks made labor seem easy.

[Blue_Roses]

11. and the nausea

I was in the store the other day after eating something and I was doubled-over with pain and nausea. That prompted a trip to the doctor and now ... but, at least I know what this sick feeling in my stomach has been, along with the pain I get in the right side of my body. I've noticed it's much worse after eating something greasy.

I'm still nervous, but ready to feel better. It's makes me feel better hearing from those of you who have gone through this. :)

[AlCzervik]

12. you'll feel a lot better after it's out. The greasy food thing--thats how

i had my first and worst attack, my husband then boyfriend went out for chinese food and for some reason i decided i'd just have chicken fingers--oh was i sorry, i woke up in the middle of the night and i swear my lungs were trying to get out of me through my back and like a damn fool i went to work a few hours later. I ended up passing out in the ladies room--thankfully i wasn't on the bowl at the time and my boss had to carry me out and take me to the emergency room. My gallbladder was so bad by the time they took it out it was full of gangrene and about to burst--so don't wait.

[Blue_Roses]

13. wow ...

I'm glad you are doing better! Pretty scary stuff there! Mine has it's moments where it is worse than other times and sometimes the side pain catches me off guard, but haven't quite had that experience yet! Thank-goodness!

I've just noticed in the last few months it seems to be getting worse. (nausea and side pain)

[Tikki]

14. That was me , also....

I remember driving home from work vomiting all over myself and
once in the middle of the night I wrote out my will because I knew I was dying right that moment.

I was very young with a bad gallbladder (19 years old)...took a few years to diagnose...but it's all memories now.


Tikki

[Coyote_Bandit]

15. They did mine as an outpatient

and I went shopping the next morning.

[noonwitch]

16. I had it done about 14 years ago

I had the laser thing, but they kept you overnight one night back then. I had some complications during surgery that almost resulted in their having to do the long procedure, but they managed to get the stone out after all. I had one huge stone, the size of the gall bladder, and it was difficult to get it all out.

I also had post-operative complications, mostly a very bad reaction to anesthesia that caused me to freak out, pull out my iv, and try to escape from the recovery room (the orderlies later told me I put up a good fight). My efforts earned me a restraint and a shitload of tranquilizers-I don't remember it all that well, but well enough. They say that anesthesia wears off redheads sooner than everyone else. It may have been that I wasn't supposed to be conscious yet-all the other patients were sleeping but me.

Regardless, I didn't sleep that night very much because they kept waking me up to take my temp. I put undies on about 3 am and started walking laps around the ward with my iv pole until they cut me loose around 10. I felt better that morning than I had in years.

Take the whole two weeks off work, though. One of my coworkers had the same surgery on the same day as me and came back after a week. He got very sick. I took the two weeks and never had any problems.