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[C.Ann]

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[DMRick]

They kept me overnight..but our area was having a neighborhood garage sale, so I stopped on the way home. It took me a few days to feel good enough to go out on my own, but I had no restrictions (could do stairs, drive, etc). It was sooo much better having it out than when I had all the problems, that I actually felt much better the next day. They seldom keep you over, but I was glad they did, I needed the rest LOL! I was loaded with stones, but they were able to laser them all into small pieces. Mine was an emergency, not expected, so I didn't have time to worry about it. Hope it goes as easy for her.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Ah the old gallbladder. I had a love hate relationship with mine--until I got it taken out!!

I think I remember reading threads that your daughter is an adult now, right? Is she petite?? That made a big difference with me. I am fairly petite, and the nurses told me that made for a quicker recovery, but harder on the "trapped air" that gets into the body when they inflate it do to the lap procedure (yuck). I found the trapped air the most painful part of the recovery. It does feel like there is a baby elephant laying on you chest! Laying on my side was the only thing that relieved it a little bit, and it lasted about 2 days.

The day had the surgery, after it was done I remember the nurses helping me to the bathroom then saying "ok, you peed--you're set to go home". My DH was there and said I started crying and saying "you took out an organ and now your sending me home!!!" It's true, if they do take it out lap. she'll be sent home within a few hours. That night I stayed at my parents (no little ones jumping on me when I got home) and stayed in bed on pain medicine the whole time. The next morning was ready to get up and around, SLOWLY, ate lightly that night.

Thinking back, I didn't drive for about 4 or 5 days, but I remember being at the grocery store about 7 days after surgery with my DS's (5 & 2 at the time) thinking---holy cow, life does go on without a gallbladder!!!

Does your DD have kids (I think she does if I remember correctly). She'll probably be like most moms out there and bounce back pretty quickly because she'll have to, in order to take care of the kids.

Best of luck to her, and you!! Try to get her to stay with you the first night (or two). There's nothing better than being pampered by mom when you're sick or hurt. Even when you're a mom yourself!!

 

[aunties]

Mine was still really inflammed when they took it out and they were still able to do the lap. It just took the surgeon a bit longer than planned. My surgeon insists on keeping his patients overnight. I wasn't allowed to drive for two days. I did have the shoulder pain from the air. I found sleeping in a recliner really helped. I was back to work in less than two weeks, but I work at a computer most of the day. I felt so much better after the surgery. The surgery was far less painful than the gall bladder attack. I am sure your daughter will feel much better too!

 

[HannahFan26]

I recently had my gall bladder removed-the worst part was when the nurses kept coming back into my room asking if I had gone to the bathroom yet. You metioned about pain in the right shoulder and chest to ease the pain you can burp or hiccup its gas and that's one of the few ways to get rid of it. The first day I was on a liquid diet but by the next day I was eating things like applesauce and oatmeal later on I added veggies into my diet. She'll probably be sore for a few days I was but after a while the pain lessens. She should walk as much as possible even if its only walking around her room or to the bathroom. By the end of the week she can probably go out depending on how much pain she is in ect. And possibly return to work by the next week. As for driving I don't drive so I can't answer that but I believe after a week she should be able to. Depending on her age she could recover quicky, I am twenty-one so I was feeling better after a few days. She'll be glad she had it done you'll never have that pain again or worry about being in that pain.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

My thoughts and prayers for your DD.

I had mine removed by lap surgery several years ago...I had to stay overnight since the procedure was late in the day. I would have gone home the same day if the doctor arrived on time.

The most pain was like another posted stated...the trapped air from the lap. My whole body hurt for 2 - 3 days...it was hard to roll out of bed but thankfully the Percoset worked well!!!

I also needed to stay with my Mom for about 2 weeks...since my son was a toddler...other than that it was fine.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

My thoughts and prayers will be with your DD.

 

[Pop Daddy]

hey

 

[grinningghost]

I had mine out as emergency surgery and I was never so glad to be rid of a body organ in my life.

I had the laparoscopic version and instantly felt 100% better after it was out. I mean, I was SICK. SICKER than I'd ever been - throwing up constantly, and the other yucky end, horrible fever, pain, passing out. Not pretty.

Recovery depends. But whatever she does, make sure she RESTS and takes her pain meds even if she feels OK - it's much harder to get rid of the pain once it starts than if you catch it ahead of time.

Also kinda TMI, but tell her to get some Phillips Milk of Magnesia when she gets home and take some. Important to clear out the bowel without straining for the first few days - otherwise, the pain is unbearable.

Tell her good luck - she'll do OK, but to take it VERY easy.

 

[TerryKitten]

I was having an attack right before they took it out. They did it lap. I ended up staying the night because I was taken in late and they were closing the outpatient center when I finished. So they trucked me up to the women's wing afterwards. I was given stuff for the pain and then stayed home for the next week. I was fine for the most part afterwords... just don't run into a parking meter 2 weeks after surgery (ouch).

 

[minniecarousel]

I have no experience with this surgery, but can only offer some good vibes that all goes well! Well, C.Ann, at least she's getting it taken care of! Hang in there!

 

[jbthi]

I had the lap surgery about 10 years ago when I was 55. I am a big baby about having things done to me but it was a breeze. They made me stay over night because the surgery was late in the afternoon and partly because I am a diabetic.

I missed 4 days of work but I think I could have gone back the next day.

My BIL had the old style surgery a couple of weeks ago and I was surprised at how well he got along. He was in the hospital 3 days and was never in any real pain.

June

 

[DisnyMama]

I'm 43 now but about 13 years ago mine was removed full surgical incision and a 5 day hospital stay. I was admitted for emergency surgery and my surgeon explained that I had an infection (104 temp) and a large stone and they were going to attemp a lap but might end up with the other which is what happened due to the size of the stone. I did not have any issues with air just pain from the incision which was about 7 inches long and a drain in my lower abdomen. I was able to get up and walk the day after surgery and felt so much better without that darn thing. Pain meds worked great. I was out of work for 6 weeks back then but I could have gone back in 4. I hope your daughter ends up with the Lap. Recovery time will be much shorter and no scar to speak of.

 

[Virgo10]

You may remember that I had mine out in December. The surgeon I had kept me over night but I understood she does that for all her patients. It was just as well as I was pretty out of it for most of the day of the surgery.

I had a lap and, comparatively speaking, the pain was minimal. I was up taking short walks 8 hours post op. Tell your daughter to roll on her side and push herself to a sitting position when she goes to get out of bed. Also tell her to keep moving as it will help with gas pains and it's just better for the circulation.

I was able to drive as soon as I stopped taking pain medication. That was 3 days after the operation. I'm not employed right now but I would think at least a week and preferably two before you go back to work. I was so tired!! It's hard for me to know how much the fatigue I was experiencing had to do with the surgery. I found out that my thyroid levels were all messed up after I had this done. Since my medication has been up'd I felt much better.

I'm still finding foods that don't agree with me and I guess that's part of losing a body part. Still, it was 100% worth it to never have to worry about having another one of those horrific attacks again!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

C. Ann - prayers for your DD. I'm hoping her's goes as smoothly as mine. I checked into same day surgery at noon and was out the door sans gb by 6 p.m. While it was done lap, I'm a big girl so I actually have some decent scars. I have 2 that are at least 1 inch and 2 that are at least 1/2 inch. I also had staples. Gotta tell you that the worst part was the allergic reaction I had to the staples (who reacts to stainless? ). It was all red and inflamed. I ate soups and very light foods for the first couple of days by choice. I figured if I wasn't hungry, now was a good time to lose a couple of pounds.
I was driving 3 days later and ran a Girl Scout function by day 4. I recently had a co-worker return to work 4 days after having it removed. He had it done on a Thursday and was back on Monday. I told him he was making me look bad because they would give him two weeks off.
I think being tired was the worst part. Hugs to your DD.
Oh and sleep in a recliner!!! I did this for about a week and it was so much easier to get up and down!!

 

[Brise Nannie]

My adult DD had emergency surgery to have her gall bladder removed about a month or so after having her second child. Did you know this happens sometimes right after giving birth? That's what I was told. The GB was so infected they had to pump my DD with antibiotics to get her fever down. In the meantime they were hoping it wouldn't burst. I forget how long she stayed in the hospital after the procedure but I remember asking the doctor what foods she should avoid. He went down the list of foods to avoid and then he added, "Now if she eats those tell her NOT to call me." There are foods that definitely bother her but she eats them anyway and suffers afterwards. My sister doesn't have a GB either and she eats anything and everything and it doesn't seem to bother her. Go figure. Hope all turns out well for your DD.

 

[C.Ann]

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