Gall bladder surgery
lizb41
Posts: 17
Hi all. Just wondered if anyone on here has had gall bladder removal surgey? I had my removed by key hole surgery 10 days ago but am struggling to get advice about what i should and shouldn't be doing now. Would it be safe for me to start using my exercise bike again? How far should i be able to walk? How much housework can i do now.....i asked the nurse at my surgery last week and she didn't know!!! i wasn't told anything at the hospital and the info i can find online is confusing. I know i can start driving after 2 weeks and had a leaflet given at my pre op saying i could return to work after 2 weeks (i'm a housewife!), but i really need to start exercising again as i'm so bored all i can think about is eating...please help x
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Replies
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Please do not take any advice that someone gives you here at all. It sounds to me that you need a consult from your doctor or even the surgeon that did your surgery.
I had my gall bladder removed, but my recovery time has nothing to do with yours. Please go see your doc and get well soon.
edit: Just realized that my first statement pretty much negated the rest of my post! Please do not take MEDICAL advice from anyone here, unless they are telling you to see your doc!0 -
I had mine removed a few years ago and they actually had to do a lot of cutting b/c of unexpected problems. I was down for about a week & half but was able to get back in the swing of things after that. There was some tenderness, but as long as you aren't doing anything that would put serious strain on your abdomin I think you're fine. You just need to take it easy in the beginning and ease up if you feel pain!0
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I had gallballader surgery march of 2010.
Being a single mother of a 2 year boy at the time I too had no choice but to get up and get back to work.
It all depends on what you feel your body can take.
Start off lightly at first and adjust to whatever your comfy with.
I do however suggest you stay near a bathroom for awhile after you eat because you are gonna have a lot of sudden urges to go with what feels like no means to hold it in until you reach the restroom.
Stay away from the fatty foods and grease as much as possible.0 -
Speak to the surgeon directly. If you can't wait until your follow-up appointment, call his office, leave a message if necessary.
Don't go by how you feel. You don't know what's happening inside your body with the healing, and you could damage yourself by doing too much.0 -
I had my Gall Bladder removed in October last year. I wasn't given a ton of instructions either! As for moving around I would say listen to your body. I went to an NHL hockey game 4 days later and after thought it was a little soon. But that next weekend I went to a girls weekend and was fine, just watched what I ate.
You might want to give the surgeons office a call if you are worried though.0 -
You are only 10 days out from the surgery. Have you even had a follow up with your surgeon yet?
I had mine out in December. At my four week follow up visit I asked that very question and my surgeon told me I could start going back to the gym 6 weeks after the surgery but to start back up slowly.
Housework and walking - you'll probably be alright doing some of that as long as you are aware if you start hurting and give it a rest. I was told not to lift anything heavier than 20 lbs for 4 weeks though.
I'd wait until after a follow up with the surgeon before I risk going to the gym and injuring myself more. Your muscles may feel better but that doesn't mean that they are healed. What you don't want is to hurt yourself seriously and laid-up even longer because you tried to get back to working out too soon.0 -
Speak to the surgeon directly. If you can't wait until your follow-up appointment, call his office, leave a message if necessary.
I never got a follow-up appointment when mine was out, but do suggest calling if you are unsure.0 -
Liz,
I had my gall bladder and spleen removed about 3 years ago. I was off of my feet for about 2 weeks, with full recovery lasting about 6. I didn't get cleared for exercising until I had my staples out (I had to be cut, not lucky with the laproscopic surgery).
I would take it easy for the first few weeks. When I went back to work, I was exhausted and felt like I needed more time to recover. You will know when you overdo it. I would suggest short walks, even if it doesn't seem like it's much, your body needs time to heal. Feeling stir crazy is awful, especially since you are at home. Maybe a few short walks during the day instead of one long one?
The other thing that I had to find out on my own is that food digests differently than what I was used to. Since surgery, most foods go right through me...something I was NOT anticipating.
Hope this helps you!0 -
Please do not take any advice that someone gives you here at all. It sounds to me that you need a consult from your doctor or even the surgeon that did your surgery.
I had my gall bladder removed, but my recovery time has nothing to do with yours. Please go see your doc and get well soon.
edit: Just realized that my first statement pretty much negated the rest of my post! Please do not take MEDICAL advice from anyone here, unless they are telling you to see your doc!
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Everyone is different. Please talk to your family doctor or call the hospital they have an obligation to you even after your surgery to help you or at the very least to tell you what you can and can't do after surgery. All the best.0 -
They cut a major organ out of your body and set you loose without ever speaking to you again? :noway: Think I'd try a different surgeon for future needs.I never got a follow-up appointment when mine was out, but do suggest calling if you are unsure.0 -
My daughter had hers out last week. She was told no school for a week, no lifting anything more than 20 lbs (that seemed like a lot to me), and no gym for 4 weeks. The first thing she asked for was an Italian sub from Subway! She actually hasn't had any problems with needing to run to the bathroom. The nurse said it's different for everyone. But, still, you need to get that info from your dr.0
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I had mine removed one year ago. I started walking the minute I was wheeled back to my room. I walked to my bed, then every hour I walked the halls up and down. Besides helping the body heal, it also avoided DVT's. Of course there is no sleep in a hospital. I stayed the night and walked all night. I walked every hr at home, even for 5 minutes. One week post-op I went back to the gym and started in the treadmill. No weights for a while, but walking was encouraged by the surgeon. So walk away.....0
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I had mine removed in June 2010. Pretty much, everyone is different. The only restriction I as given was that I couldn't lift more than 10 pounds for a week. I had a 4 month old baby at the time, so I had to stay a week with my parents to help me with him. I was able to drive an hour at a time 3 days after sugery and never had any problems.0
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Speak to the surgeon directly. If you can't wait until your follow-up appointment, call his office, leave a message if necessary.
Don't go by how you feel. You don't know what's happening inside your body with the healing, and you could damage yourself by doing too much.
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I'm surprised the surgeon didn't give you specific information at the time of the surgery. At mine, I was handed a two page document. Is "keyhole" the same a laparoscopic? That's the way mine was done. I have two small incisions on the right side of my abdomen, another in my belly button and about a 2 inch scar up near where the gall bladder would have been. I was told I could drive and go back to work after a week, which I did. I was also told no heavy lifting (20 pounds) or abdominal exercises for 4 weeks but walking wasn't a problem after the first week.
I'd recommend calling your surgeon's office and get them to give you specific advice for your surgery (because we're all different) and schedule a follow up appointment if you feel it's necessary.0 -
I had mine removed in 1988 and I have about a 6" long scar on my stomach and I wasn't able to lift anything over 1 1/2 lbs (doctors orders). Because times have changed and with medical advanements you really should ask your doctor.
Also everybody has different reactions to the removal of their GB when it comes to food. I still have problems eating regular cucumbers, but can tolerate the english one (the ones in the wrapper). When it comes to fat intake I can tolerate a higher percentage. But YMMV (your mileage may very).
Good luck,
Anita0 -
I had mine removed about 2 years ago. The doctor told me at my 10 day appointment that I can restart exercise as soon as I wanted, as long as it didn't hurt. Just verify with your doctor it's okay to start.0
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I had mine removed two months after giving birth a out 10 years ago. We had just moved and at my follow-up visit the surgeon was very stern about me not lifting any boxes or anything heavier than the baby for six weeks. There is a risk of causing a hernia. You definitely need to get in to see your surgeon and get specific instructions and you need to take it easy as you see how your body adjusts without hour gallbladder. You probably will need to stay close to a bathroom and avoid fatty foods. Good luck with your recovery!0
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Please do not take any advice that someone gives you here at all. It sounds to me that you need a consult from your doctor or even the surgeon that did your surgery.
I had my gall bladder removed, but my recovery time has nothing to do with yours. Please go see your doc and get well soon.
edit: Just realized that my first statement pretty much negated the rest of my post! Please do not take MEDICAL advice from anyone here, unless they are telling you to see your doc!
Agreed ^^^^. Talk to a doctor. I had mine done with a scope and was back at it within a week. BUT, that doesn't mean you should consider that appropriate for you. I will say, 2 weeks of driving is with regard to pain meds. I was off my pain meds and driving within 3 days. Same with both of my c-sections. But only if you are off the narcotics.0 -
DEF. talk to your surgeon. Every person is different. I couldn't lift for 6 weeks after mine was removed and I have the little cuts. I could walk, but didn't do a whole lot else until the 6 weeks were up. Consult with a specialist first please, for your own health.0
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I had mine out i Dec. It was really bad for me and because of that my recovery has taken way longer then I was told by the nurse when I was sent home. That said I didn't get a lot of post op instructions and my follow up wasn't very detailed either. My advice is to call and ask. Make sure you have a list of questions when you go. The only reason I found out all I did and what I could and couldn't do was because I asked him directly. Good luck.0
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Thank you all for replying x
I'm in the UK so i think it's different here....we don't get a say in who does the surgery....i met the surgeon months before the op when i was first admitted with a bad infection and told i had to have the surgery but i never saw him again. half an hour before the op i was given a different surgeon and again, never saw him or her!! One of the team came to see me before i left hospital the morning after having it done and just told me it went well and i could go home. I don't even know what kind of stitches i have...the nurse at my GP surgery (who i went to see last week as one of the wounds was smelling) said she thinks they are dissolving but not sure!!!
I do appreciate the advice though and will contact the hospital and try get some advice....and good luck to everyone with whatever you are trying to acheive x
Just thought to add, also i wasn't given any follow up appointment....just sent home and didn't think to question it at the time!!0 -
They cut a major organ out of your body and set you loose without ever speaking to you again? :noway: Think I'd try a different surgeon for future needs.I never got a follow-up appointment when mine was out, but do suggest calling if you are unsure.
I thought it was weird too... didn't even get a phone call from the office to see how i was doing. I don't plan on having my gall bladder removed again lol so not worried about that. I have heard that he is one of the best surgeons at that hospital, so it is probably routine now... I guess if you need them you call them.0 -
After a week in the hospital, a week at home and then being rushed back for emergency gall bladder surgery, I had mine out last Wednesday morning. They first thought it was a stomach/GI issue I had and went for a multitude of tests before they realized my gall bladder was only functioning at 39%. I've done some research and can truly say everyone is definitely different. My coworker had hers out last year and she was back to work in 4 days (albeit, she was in great pain and should've stayed home). I have my surgeon appt. on Wednesday so he'll let me know when I can go back to work (being out of work for 3 weeks.. yeah, I'm sure my coworkers think I'm on vacation -- if ONLY!!). My incisions hurt from time to time - I've noticed my belly button one hurts more today for some reason and I've had a hard time laying on my side (I'm so NOT a back sleeper and I hate not being able to sleep on my side!!). I try to walk some but I get winded really fast. I've also taken notice that my bowel movements have changed drastically, which kind of freaked me out. I'm definitely still learning about what I can and can not eat. And yes, being house bound definitely takes a toll on your well-being.0
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Hang in there, it'll get better pretty quickly. I had mine out in December of 2010. I'm also a side sleeper and found it difficult to sleep comfortably for awhile. I have a triangular pillow that I normally use to watch TV in bed. I lay it with the long side down and used that to prop myself up while sleeping. It helped a lot! It also made it easier to get out of bed in the morning.After a week in the hospital, a week at home and then being rushed back for emergency gall bladder surgery, I had mine out last Wednesday morning. They first thought it was a stomach/GI issue I had and went for a multitude of tests before they realized my gall bladder was only functioning at 39%. I've done some research and can truly say everyone is definitely different. My coworker had hers out last year and she was back to work in 4 days (albeit, she was in great pain and should've stayed home). I have my surgeon appt. on Wednesday so he'll let me know when I can go back to work (being out of work for 3 weeks.. yeah, I'm sure my coworkers think I'm on vacation -- if ONLY!!). My incisions hurt from time to time - I've noticed my belly button one hurts more today for some reason and I've had a hard time laying on my side (I'm so NOT a back sleeper and I hate not being able to sleep on my side!!). I try to walk some but I get winded really fast. I've also taken notice that my bowel movements have changed drastically, which kind of freaked me out. I'm definitely still learning about what I can and can not eat. And yes, being house bound definitely takes a toll on your well-being.
Just in case you get this, too..... I did notice some pain in the area where my gallbladder used to be on and off for the next few months, but it wasn't severe and it never lasted long. When I asked my doctor he said not to worry about it unless it was really bad or I started running a fever. I haven't had it for a long time now, so I guess it wasn't anything important.
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it's amazing the different experiences that everyone has had. mine was outpatient. i went in at 7 and was home by 11. i think i laid on the couch the first day and then after that i was fine. anything was better than the pain of those attacks. c-sections, an acl tear, reconstruction and physical therapy didn't COMPARE the pain of a gall bladder attack. i thought i was dying. so glad to be rid of the bloody thing!0
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I'm having pain where the gall bladder used to be, so thanks for letting me know that's normal. Also i went to see the nurse at my GP's yesterday and she said to stop covering the wounds and get back to normal.....avoid really heavy lifting and gardening but otherwise back to normal....i'm going to start tomorrow when my hubby goes back to work after a few days off....i'll do all the housework i used to and have a try on my exercise bike and just hope i'm doing the right thing and wont be causing any damage inside
well, thanks again for all your comments, they've been a real help x0 -
Just don't do too much! You might find you tire easily too x0
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Your body will let you know when you're doing too much. If you feel any pain or get tired, slow down. Be sure to get as much sleep as you can. I know I could barely keep my eyes open for a more than few hours those first few days! Don't feel guilty about taking an afternoon nap if you get tired.I'm having pain where the gall bladder used to be, so thanks for letting me know that's normal. Also i went to see the nurse at my GP's yesterday and she said to stop covering the wounds and get back to normal.....avoid really heavy lifting and gardening but otherwise back to normal....i'm going to start tomorrow when my hubby goes back to work after a few days off....i'll do all the housework i used to and have a try on my exercise bike and just hope i'm doing the right thing and wont be causing any damage inside
well, thanks again for all your comments, they've been a real help x0 -
I had gallstones that were blocking a bile duct, so it made me septic, and I was just really sick, and had all that pain- my eyes went yellow- then was hospitalized, had to have surgery to get the gallstones out, then wait a few days after and get the gallbladder out -I was in the hospital about a week in January 2010 - and still made the cake and cupcakes and held my son's first birthday party after the surgeries, but I was definitely pooped. I was so tired, and have now had a surgery for the last 3 out of 4 years in Jan or Feb - this is the first year surgery free so far! had my 1st son C-section Jan 09, then had the gall bladder emergency surgeries in 2010, then had my 2nd baby C-section Feb 2011...
I did have a follow up with the doctor about 1-2 weeks after the gallbladder surgeries. I have been told to recover from a surgery takes about 6 weeks or so, but really you should talk to the Dr., it all depends on your body.0
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