Anyone Had Gallbladder Surgery?

reneepugh
reneepugh Posts: 522 Member
in Motivation and Support
My ejection fraction is only 7% but no gallstones. So I have to have mine out May 11th. I am nervous. I need any encouragement from those who have had this done. Also, what to expect.

Replies

  • reneepugh
    reneepugh Posts: 522 Member
    Also, interested in how many had problems after.
  • jenhed96
    jenhed96 Posts: 12 Member
    I just had mine out April 9th. For me, waking up from surgery was the worst part of it. Once the anesthesia wears off (and the pain meds kick in), things get better. By 2.5 days post-surgery, I stopped the pain meds completely (they made me feel sad...that might sound weird...I can't understand how people get addicted to those things!).

    6 days post-surgery, I was back to work (I work from home, so that means walking up to my attic office, but still) and picking up my 1-year-old. I highly recommend having someone at home with you those first few days, especially/ESSENTIALLY if you have kids at home. My mother in law was here by 7am every day that week (so for 3 days post-surgery) and didn't leave till my husband got home from work. Mostly because I couldn't pick up the baby or really take care of him.

    Plan to be in bed with ice on your belly for several days. If your fridge doesn't make ice, make sure you buy some before the surgery :) Good luck to you. After less than a week I was feeling great. After 2 weeks (actually I think it was 10 days) started exercising (cardio/kickboxing). Dr says I still shouldn't lift more than 20 lbs until mid-May but other than that, I really feel awesome.
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
    I had mine out around 11 years ago, laproscopically. Not too bad recovery time. . . about a week. It definitely hurt, but wasn't excruciating. I think the hardest was figuring out a way to get out of bed in the morning, because anything that involves your abs will be uncomfortable. But I also didn't use any of my pain pills past the first day to help me sleep.

    I didn't really have any issues after. I DID have a few phantom attacks after I had it out, when I ate something pretty high in fat, but I haven't had that in probably 9-10 years.
  • jenhed96
    jenhed96 Posts: 12 Member
    Forgot to mention, one of the nurses mentioned that she was home cooking dinner for her family the same day as the surgery! Now I could not have done that, but I think it just highlights how everyone is different.

    The scars are insignificant. I didn't have a bikini body to begin with, but if I ever get to that point, they are really hardly noticeable.
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    I had mine out around 11 years ago, laproscopically. Not too bad recovery time. . . about a week. It definitely hurt, but wasn't excruciating. I think the hardest was figuring out a way to get out of bed in the morning, because anything that involves your abs will be uncomfortable. But I also didn't use any of my pain pills past the first day to help me sleep.

    I didn't really have any issues after. I DID have a few phantom attacks after I had it out, when I ate something pretty high in fat, but I haven't had that in probably 9-10 years.

    This is pretty much my experience. Except my surgery was just last year and I still have phantom attacks if eat something fatty. Good luck! You will feel so much better a week or so after surgery!
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    Had mine taken out May 18, 2009. I had 2 stones, 1 quarter sized that was impacted. The one behind it trying to force it through the duct was about the size of a nickle. They took it out laproscopically but my upper scar is about an inch instead of the 1/4 to 1/2 inch most people get. Spent the night in the hospital due to the difficulty the doc had getting mine out. Went home the next morning. Spent 2 days on a liquid diet, followed by 2 days on a soft food diet and then slowly worked in more solid foods. Was back to a normal diet in about a week.

    For the first year I had to be relatively close to a bathroom after I ate. Usually it was food in food out almost immediately. It varies for different people but it tends to level out after a year or so. There is nothing I can't eat because it has been removed. I have other digestive issues that affect my diet. Not having a gallbladder has not changed anything.

    For the first couple days I felt as though I had done an excessive amount of crunches. I only took pain meds the night in the hospital and the next day.

    Make sure you take some very loose fitting pants with you for post surgery. When they inflate your abdomen it doesn't go down for a few days. I personally looked 7 months pregnant afterwards.
  • happylady5254
    happylady5254 Posts: 7 Member
    I had mine out two years ago by keyhome and it was fine. A bit painful straight after when i woke up, but nothing major. Dont worry. its one of the most straightforward ops, as long as the gall stones are in the right place and haven't moved into ducts etc. but they should know that already.Took me about a week to recover at home but don't lift anything for 6 weeks if you can help it. I was told not to eat fatty food after but i have and am ok. now i am on my diet i have cut them out and feel a lot better. And.... that horrible pain has gone for good!!!!
  • jenhed96
    jenhed96 Posts: 12 Member
    Ditto on the loose fitting pants. Also, if you do take the pain meds and/or get Zofran for nausea, TAKE A STOOL SOFTENER every day until your first BM. Sorry if TMI.
  • reneepugh
    reneepugh Posts: 522 Member
    So, what I gathered from all of this is that I will have to bring loose fitting pants, take a stool softener with the nausea meds and sleep propped up to avoid pain when getting out of bed. ;-) Doesn't sound to bad. Thank you all for your advice.
  • jenhed96
    jenhed96 Posts: 12 Member
    So, what I gathered from all of this is that I will have to bring loose fitting pants, take a stool softener with the nausea meds and sleep propped up to avoid pain when getting out of bed. ;-) Doesn't sound to bad. Thank you all for your advice.

    The pain meds cause constipation, too. So take the ss even if you don't take the Zofran. Good luck!
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    So, what I gathered from all of this is that I will have to bring loose fitting pants, take a stool softener with the nausea meds and sleep propped up to avoid pain when getting out of bed. ;-) Doesn't sound to bad. Thank you all for your advice.

    I didn't have a stool issues so I can't speak about taking a softener but the rest is about right.
  • Dr_Flo
    Dr_Flo Posts: 465
    My ejection fraction is only 7% but no gallstones. So I have to have mine out May 11th. I am nervous. I need any encouragement from those who have had this done. Also, what to expect.

    Mine was 6% , no stones.

    This reminds me sooooo much of my situation. Hopefully you found out faster than I did.
    I dealt with severe problems for a year with most docs just saying it was in my head.

    The good news is.. they can do it laproscopically now. So your scars will be minimal.
    You sleep through it.. so no biggy there. And they will mix you a nice cocktail right before.
    The nervousness is normal. You wouldn't be human if you werent worried a little.

    What I can tell you, is that you're going to start feeling a whole lot better!
    Remember to take it easy for a couple of weeks to ensure that you heal properly.
    Also, try to avoid greasy foods initially. If you do eat out.. be close to a bathroom.

    Your body is relearning how to digest without your galbladder. So for the first while you will notice
    that certain foods will pass quickly. Know where the restroom is to avoid that accident.

    It takes a different amount of time for everyone. Some people adjust very quickly, others take years for their bodies to really get used to things.

    Bottom line, you're going to be ok.. I promise you that.
    Stay positive, think about how much better you're going to feel and start thinkging about the fun you'll have without feeling sick.

    Best of luck to you.. I'm always hear if you wanna talk.
  • Just_Ceci
    Just_Ceci Posts: 5,926 Member
    Mine is scheduled for June 6. :frown:
  • dondimitri
    dondimitri Posts: 245 Member
    Mine was done laproscopically about a year ago. I didn't need any pain meds after; just sat around for about 48 hours and then started back walking around the house. After about 3 weeks started back walking outdoors and a little later started working out very casually.
    Back to full speed in about 6 weeks but felt I could have done it all a lot faster; tried to be conservative just 'cuz the surgeon said so.

    Had a little bit of lumpiness at the main incision site but that diminished over time and no longer exists.

    Following the surgery I did need to know where the restroom was for a while but things have returned to normal in that area.
  • reneepugh
    reneepugh Posts: 522 Member
    My ejection fraction is only 7% but no gallstones. So I have to have mine out May 11th. I am nervous. I need any encouragement from those who have had this done. Also, what to expect.

    Mine was 6% , no stones.

    This reminds me sooooo much of my situation. Hopefully you found out faster than I did.
    I dealt with severe problems for a year with most docs just saying it was in my head.

    The good news is.. they can do it laproscopically now. So your scars will be minimal.
    You sleep through it.. so no biggy there. And they will mix you a nice cocktail right before.
    The nervousness is normal. You wouldn't be human if you werent worried a little.

    What I can tell you, is that you're going to start feeling a whole lot better!
    Remember to take it easy for a couple of weeks to ensure that you heal properly.
    Also, try to avoid greasy foods initially. If you do eat out.. be close to a bathroom.

    Your body is relearning how to digest without your galbladder. So for the first while you will notice
    that certain foods will pass quickly. Know where the restroom is to avoid that accident.

    It takes a different amount of time for everyone. Some people adjust very quickly, others take years for their bodies to really get used to things.

    Bottom line, you're going to be ok.. I promise you that.
    Stay positive, think about how much better you're going to feel and start thinkging about the fun you'll have without feeling sick.

    Best of luck to you.. I'm always hear if you wanna talk.

    Thank you so much. I am feeling much better. :-)
  • reneepugh
    reneepugh Posts: 522 Member
    Mine is scheduled for June 6. :frown:

    I think we're both going to be fine! :-)
  • WhiteGirlWasted13
    WhiteGirlWasted13 Posts: 178 Member
    Mine was done seven years ago. Honestly, I forget I had it done. That's how much of a non-issue it's become. Best of luck to you! You'll do great!

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