Questions about gallbladder removal

AESprouse
AESprouse Posts: 112 Member
in Motivation and Support
I am having my gallbladder removed on Thursday. I'm 22 and this is my first ever surgery so I'm a little nervous. What can I expect when I get to the hospital that morning? Also, how will I feel as I'm waking up from surgery? What will my appetite be like? What type of things should I bring with me to the hospital, or should I bring nothing since it will be outpatient (barring complications)? Sorry for all the questions but I don't have anyone else to ask... TIA!

Replies

  • Katiejo97
    Katiejo97 Posts: 13 Member
    Don't worry- the surgery is a breeze! When you get there, they will have you get into a gown and put footy socks on. They' ll have you get into a bed and take your vitals and listen to your heart and lungs. When they're ready for you, they' ll take you to surgery and a few moments after they put a mask on you, you' ll be waking up. When I woke up after surgery, I was startled because it literally felt like no time had passed. I heard a voice say " It's all right-you're done" and then I was wheeled into another room. I felt a little nausea and threw up a small amount of the anesthesia. They told me I could go home after I had a BM - I left a couple hours later and was given a prescription for pain ( which I never used). My appetite and ability to eat anything went back to normal after the surgery ( although I don't process fatty foods as well). I don't think you need to bring anything but your insurance card. Hope this helps and good luck!
  • Carolannb1986
    Carolannb1986 Posts: 91
    I had complication with my surgery and ended up in ICU for a week, but only because prior i was pregnant and had OC and my liver just couldn't cope.
    All i really remember from my surgery was the discomfort, not a nice feeling when they pull the drains out of your insides lol! and the stomach pain a good week after due to your belly being pumped full of air during the surgery. Like i said i had complication's so i don't know if this was everyone experience.
    I also had ALOT of bruising my entire stomach and a good part of chest area was covered in bruises.
    Either way a week or so of discomfort is nothing compared to the pain of gallstones!!
  • 17ChargerGirl17
    17ChargerGirl17 Posts: 441
    Are you having Laproscopic Surgery? If so it's a very easy surgery.
    I was in so much pain before the surgery that when I woke up I was fine. No pain at all.
    Went home that same day and never really felt anything bad.
    You will be fine and so very happy you did it.
    I didnt have any complications so I was in and out. No tubes or draining, anything like that.
    Just make sure to wear sweats or pj bottoms so when you leave you are comfortable.
  • isefluffy44
    isefluffy44 Posts: 47 Member
    Hi, My gallbladder removal was so simple. Came through it with flying colors and have just a little scar going into my navel. The punch scars are gone completely. They gave me a little to eat. I didn't throw anything up. Walked around the corridor for a while and they didn't even give me a wheelchair to go to the car. I walked to it. A couple or three days of rest as your insides are somewhat sore from the gas moving your organs around and I was good to go. Hope you have as much success as I did. I was at the hospital about 2-3 hrs.
  • Healthy67Chick
    Healthy67Chick Posts: 159 Member
    Don't worry- the surgery is a breeze! When you get there, they will have you get into a gown and put footy socks on. They' ll have you get into a bed and take your vitals and listen to your heart and lungs. When they're ready for you, they' ll take you to surgery and a few moments after they put a mask on you, you' ll be waking up. When I woke up after surgery, I was startled because it literally felt like no time had passed. I heard a voice say " It's all right-you're done" and then I was wheeled into another room. I felt a little nausea and threw up a small amount of the anesthesia. They told me I could go home after I had a BM - I left a couple hours later and was given a prescription for pain ( which I never used). My appetite and ability to eat anything went back to normal after the surgery ( although I don't process fatty foods as well). I don't think you need to bring anything but your insurance card. Hope this helps and good luck!

    This^

    My experience was pretty much like the poster above. The only difference is that I did NOT get sick and I did take the pain medicine, but only for a day and a half. I had the surgery on a Thursday and was able to go to church on Sunday with no problem.
    I understand how you are feeling about the up coming surgery because it was my first as well, but now that I've gone through it, my advice would be - don't worry.
  • wwest21
    wwest21 Posts: 99 Member
    Don't worry- the surgery is a breeze! When you get there, they will have you get into a gown and put footy socks on. They' ll have you get into a bed and take your vitals and listen to your heart and lungs. When they're ready for you, they' ll take you to surgery and a few moments after they put a mask on you, you' ll be waking up. When I woke up after surgery, I was startled because it literally felt like no time had passed. I heard a voice say " It's all right-you're done" and then I was wheeled into another room. I felt a little nausea and threw up a small amount of the anesthesia. They told me I could go home after I had a BM - I left a couple hours later and was given a prescription for pain ( which I never used). My appetite and ability to eat anything went back to normal after the surgery ( although I don't process fatty foods as well). I don't think you need to bring anything but your insurance card. Hope this helps and good luck!

    This. I didn't get sick either. Had my surgery done on a Friday and was back in school on Monday. When I had to sit for long periods of time and then stand it was a bit painful straighting up but managable.
  • AESprouse
    AESprouse Posts: 112 Member
    Great advice so far! Anyone else want to share their story?
  • jackieg218
    jackieg218 Posts: 95 Member
    I think the worst part of the surgery was the pain in my shoulders. The nurse said that the gas they inflate you with escapes from your shoulder blades and that's why it hurt so much. I thought they had dropped me while I was out or something lol. I can process fatty foods the same though, seems like if its super fatty I am running to the bathroom with in an hour after eating. Not a bad thing though lol
  • epie2098
    epie2098 Posts: 224 Member
    My experience was just like the others. I was very tired for about a week after, but not in any great deal of pain - ibuprofen did the trick.

    I cannot process fatty foods any more. A rich meal has me nauseous and distended for a day or two. I hear there are people who can eat the same way they did before surgery, but for me that has not been my experience.
  • smanning1982
    smanning1982 Posts: 210 Member
    I had my gallbladder removed when I was 19. I was so scared to get it removed that I kept putting if off and dealing with the pain until a gallstone got stuck and they had to do an emergency removal! It actually wasnn't bad and I went home and was fine for a few days with very little pain. However, it caused me to grow a cyst on my pancrease and give me pancreatitus, but I think it was more due to how the gallstone got stuck not the actual gall bladder removal. So, I was in ICU for 2 months and in regular for 1 month, I was fed through a tube and could't have anything including drinking water for 3 full months, it sucked big time! Now, that surgery to remove the cyst was the absolute worst pain I have ever dealt with my entire life. This coming from someone who has had 4 kids all natural LOL

    But anyways, going back to the actual gall bladder removal. Super easy, super fast, it's a very routine minor surgury. You'll be fine. It feels like they put the mask on you and you wake up that quick.
  • Reecebullet
    Reecebullet Posts: 141 Member
    I had my gallbladder removed just over 2 months ago, and although at first it is a little painful, it really does heal quickly.

    I had mine removed laparoscopically. The pre-op was them just wanting to take some blood, do some routine pushing on my stomach and then asking me some questions. About a week later, I had to go into the hospital real early in the morning, and put some knee-high socks on to stop clots. They then ask some questions over and over, as you meet the different people who will be there when you're having your operation. I was then brought into the side room next to the theater where I laid down on a table and was again being asked the same questions and being reassured that everything was going to be fine. I woke up around 4 hours later (in no pain at all) and it was done.

    As soon as I woke up, then wanted me to eat something and then walk over to the toilet (they do this because of the anesthetic). Around 5 hours later, I was sent home! I was in some discomfort for around a week, but it wasn't even on par with stubbing my toe. I stayed in bed for the first 4 days, and was able to move around tons after that. By around the second week, I was back to doing what I normally was (just no exercise for 6 weeks). 2 months later, and the wounds are a non-issue now. They have scaring, but that's just because it needs more time to do its thing. No pain or issues what so ever.

    Only thing I'd suggest (which you've heard 100 times before I can guess) is to stick to liquids the first few days (soup and yogurt) and then move to normal foods afterward. As well as cutting fatty foods out. I still can't handle most meats at the moment, and I tried pizza a few days ago which didn't go very well (but different people have different reactions to different foods). I was told after around a year or so, I should be able to go back to eating whatever without any issues.

    Really was worth the surgery though. No random pains anymore, I don't feel sick all the time anymore, and I'm not always worrying about when the next attack might happen.

    Sorry to hear that you need to have the op, but it really is worth it. If you want to know anymore more, just let me know. Good luck. :)

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