Has anyone had a good experience with gallbladder surgery?

[SuffragetteSal]

A friend of mine is down for the count 4th day after surgery, still pretty weak and now I am getting scared because I am up to have mine removed soon also.

Anybody want to tell me how it was for them?

[arcane1]

1. my sister had it recently

I don't recall the details now but I don't think she had that much trouble. Perhaps it was a simpler operation? I believe there were just a couple of little tiny incisions....

assuming you mean stones..

there is another DUer that was talking about this recently too (or was that you?)

[SuffragetteSal]

3. No I haven't posted about this before

yes, ultrasound says my gallbladder is full of stones...yikes. Sounds icky for sure. Hurts too. :(

[LosinIt]

2. Laparoscopically, not a big deal.

I was just really tired for weeks after, but that was probably from the anaesthesia. Plus I felt so much better not having that sick thing inside me anymore. I didn't have gallstones, but the gallbladder was all inflammed and it hurt like a mother.

[SuffragetteSal]

5. thanks...I am glad it went well for you

I am over 50, so I hope it goes well also.

[LosinIt]

8. I think I was like 43 when I had it done

you should do fine. Just don't try to get back to a normal routine too quickly. Take time to rest.

[Fovea]

4. I came to in the ER.

My gallbladder had perforated, and I was in septic shock from peritonitis.

My S/O found me unconcious on the bathroom floor.
It was actually quite a relief when the surgery was over. The removal of drainage tubes was an adventure. It took me a long time to get better, but that was mostly from the effects of the peritonitis. I was on antibiotics forever. They damaged my hearing. The leakage of bile into my abdomen damaged my liver a bit.

Find a good doctor who is experienced with the surgery, and keep your chin up!

Be well,
Realp

[SuffragetteSal]

7. Oh my..sounds like you had quite a time of it

I am so glad you are better. Do you mind me asking what causes perforation? Also, I need the total function of my liver...if you know what I mean...

Thanks for sharing this withe me. I appreciate it.

[roguevalley]

6. if its done with scopes, you get a lot of gas but its easy.

mom was up at the next day. I hope you have this.
Its totally cool.

Hugs to you, honey. Don't worry.

RV

[atldem]

9. I had mine taken out

14yrs ago. I was only 22 but I had over 50 stones (the doctor brought them to me in a jar to see). That was before the laproscopic surgery so I got opened up from my sternum to my bellybutton. I was in the hospital for 5 days. The only problems I had was with extremely quick digestion (I practically had to sit on the toilet when I was eating!). But that subsided within a few weeks and other that that and some soreness I was back to normal within a month.

[SuffragetteSal]

11. good grief 50 stones at 22 y/o...you're brave

Glad to hear it all went well. Thanks for responding, I appreciate it. Did you doc tell you why you might have had so many stones at such a young age? Just wondering.

[atldem]

14. Lots of factors

My grandmother and great grandmother had galstones. I had just had a baby 1 1/2 earlier so the rise a fall of hormones contributed as well as gaining and losing weight in a short period of time.

Besides I never do anything half way, you know what they say -- Go big or go home! ;)

[RMJ]

10. It wasn't that bad

I was up and walking within a couple of hours and went home the next day. I was sore and tired for about a week, but that was it.

It was nothing, compared to the mind-blowing, Oh-my-god, SOOO much worse than having a baby, pain of gallstones. At least with contractions the pain comes and goes, with gallstones it just comes...

but you know that already.

Good luck! :-)

on edit: obviously, I had the laproscopic surgery, which is easier.

[SuffragetteSal]

13. good to hear

it worked so well for you and you recovered quickly. I like that story :). Thanks...

[JitterbugPerfume]

15. my grand daughter had gall bladder surgery

while pregnant

no problem

[MiltonLeBerle]

12. My uncle, the surgeon has used it to buy a boat-

and pay for his house...So I'd say that he's had LOTS of good experiences with gallbladder surgery.

[SuffragetteSal]

16. LOL - good one Milton!

Always good to keep a sense of humor...I've said already I hope they don't mistake by heart for my gallbladder ;)

[Peachhead22]

17. I had mine removed in my mid-30s

They were able to do it laproscopically and it was no big deal at all. The biggest pain in the butt I remember was I had to be on a clear liquid diet for a few days before they removed it. After it was done I spent another couple days in the hospital, and was pretty sore for about a week or two. One thing that did hurt like the dickens (besides the gallstone attack) was they put a drain in there during the surgery. It came out through my skin and was attached to a little bulb. They took that out just before I left the hospital. Removing hurt some, but only for a few seconds.

[AnnabelLee]

18. I had mine removed

a couple of years ago. Two tiny incisions that are almost invisible now, & I was up the next day. I had some pain for about two or three days, but after the incisions healed, I was fine. I've never had a problem from not having my gallbladder anymore. Of course, during the times I was having gallstone attacks, I was ready to remove the darn thing myself.

I hope your friend feels better soon.

[Missy Vixen]

19. I did

I had my surgery in December; it was laparoscopic. My surgeon and anesthesiologist were tremendous. I stopped taking prescription painkillers four days later. Christmas Day marked one week after surgery; I told our guests to "help themselves" and parked myself on the couch.

I was up and around for a couple of hours at a time within three days. It took about a week, though, before I could resume any kind of normal routine. I also did not get behind the wheel of our car for almost two weeks by choice.

The worst part about gall bladder surgery post-op is watching one's diet. You can eat a limited amount of high-fat stuff, but a bunch of it will send you racing for the bathroom.

Other than the bathroom thing, it was a piece of cake. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I had excellent care, and I feel SO much better than I did before surgery.

Julie

[tweekinnow]

20. Easy Stuff !!!

No Food For 18 hours and about 3 hours later it was over.24 hr's in Harborview and 3 days on the couch and I can eat ANYTHING!!!

Mine was seriously sick and I was glad to be rid of it.The Surgery might constipate you for a few days,your abdominal muscles will also be mildly sore. I used Tylinol after the first day for pain so it couldn't have been too bad,huh;Kinda like you have been doing too many situps for a few days.In a week it was like nothing happened,but I knew IT was gone.Thank God,it was makin me really,really sick.Have the surgery,you will feel much better.My $.02