Anyone have gall bladder removal surgery?

[Brumeiser]

Boy what a week it has been. Was hospitalized this week after a gall bladder attack. Had a fever of 102 and they decided that I had a gall bladder stone that was the size of a Robin egg. They thought the best thing would be to remove the stone and gall bladder. Well I am home resting and being bored out of my mind. I guess after 43 years of living it was time to have a surgery. How long if you had this does it take to get back up to your old self? We are leaving for Disney in 2 1/2 weeks and wondering if we should think about cancelling the trip. Everybody in my family will leave this decision to me to cancel but I don't want to dissapoint 5 other people. Thanks

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I had mine removed in May. Did you have an open surgery or laproscopic surgery? I had the laproscopic and I was back to work a week later.I think in 2 1/2 weeks I would have been Disney ready, but it's different for everyone.

 

[llij]

I had mine out 6 1/2 years ago via laproscopic surgery. The recovery was great and I was up and doing normal activity within a few days. We actually moved into our new home a few days after surgery so I was doing a lot of unpacking.

What kind of surgery did you have? Laproscopic or the "old fashioned" kind? That would make a huge difference in your recouperation time.

Hugs to you! I hope that you have a speedy recovery and that you get to go to Disney!

 

[escape]

I had laproscopic surgery. I was still pretty sore after 1 week and a little sore after 2 weeks but I could manage. If you had laproscopic surgery you could probably go but you still might have to take it easy. If you had open surgery I would think you would need more time to recover. My FIL had open surgery and it took him about 5 weeks to recover.

Good luck in your recovery. I'll send you some pixie dust to help speed the healing process.

 

[Brumeiser]

I had that type of surgery. Good to see the recovery times of everyone. Maybe I will hold off and keep the trip. Thanks everyone for your post.

 

[phillybeth]

Definitely keep the trip! Just take the pace a little slower if you need to. I had lap and after about a week I was back to my old self.

 

[swea_pea1]

I just had my gall bladder removed on 8/19. Emergency surgery after a gall stone (which I had no idea I had) became infected and impacted. I had the "old fashioned" surgery because of the impaction and the number of gall stones - the surgeon said he stopped counting after the 12th one. I was out of the hospital in two days and went back to work just this past Wednesday, so that was 11 days after the surgery.

I think you'll be fine.

 

[grinningghost]

I had mine out 7/6/05 - emergency surgery. I never even thought about my gallbladder and all of a sudden I was sicker than I've ever been in my life.

Gallbladder was inflamed big time and loads of stones. Yuck - my doctor gave me photos!

Recovery time was pretty quick, considering how sick I was. I was up and doing most everything within a week. The scars are still there and pretty ugly, but I'm GLAD to be rid of my gallbladder!

Hope you have a speedy recovery - take it easy and enjoy relaxing for a while!

 

[twojo21]

my mom did about 7-8 years ago, it took a couple weeks to heal but a couple months to feel herself again.

 

[jbthi]

I had laproscopic gall bladder surgery about 8 years ago. No problems at all. Surgery took much longer than usual because I had so much scar tissue that he thought he was going to have to do it the old fashioned way. Took him a long time to cut thru and around the scar tissue.

I would have been able to come home the same day but I am a diabetic and they kept me over night. I just missed 3 days of work. (desk job). I was 56 years old at the time.

 

[goofyforlife]

two weeks should be fine.....

Don't lift anything though the next two weeks....(you don't want to get a hernia)

THIS INCLUDES SUITCASES FOR PACKING.....

I didn't even carry my purse the first week....

However, I did get clearance to return to weight lifting class 3 weeks after surgery....

Wishing you a speedy recovery

 

[nliedel]

It has been about 12 years for me now and of all my surgeries (gastric by-pass, hernia repairs blah, blah, blah) the Gallbladder was the easiest by far. I was up and around in a couple days and back to my old self within two weeks!

 

[eclectics]

Two weeks sounds about right. I remember driving myself back to doctor after 10 days. Pretty quick heal time.

 

[goofyshell]

I had my gallbladder out about a month ago. (Lap) The first week I was really sore and the second week I was very tired, but after that, all is well.

I think everyone is probably different but I wouldn't cancel the trip. Just don't plan too many "commando" days!

 

[angelkisses]

My worse pain was gas pockets in the shoulder area! Once I had that undercontrol I was in pretty good shape. Two weeks should be plenty of recovery time unless you run into complications.

 

[canwegosoon]

I had mine out 3 months after having twins. I was fine 3 days later. Took care of kids/house by myself 1 day after surgery. They had to hold be overnight because my emergency surgery was very late in the day. I had the lap...I don't know if I would have had the strength to do WDW. I think I might speak to the Dr...find out their opinion...if you can wait, without the possibility of an attack I guess I would wait. But if there is a possibility of another attack soon, I guess I would have surgery and trip insurance just incase. Good Luck.

 

[shelby_36]

I had mine out, lap, when my daughter was 5 weeks old. I was sore but was up and down caring for her the evening I returned from outpatient. mostly out of necessity.
A few things to remember- moving around(carefully)is good to keep the gas moving. Follow the lifting restrictions, I think mine included vacuuming..something about the movement used... Also remember at 2 weeks you'll also still be on your restricted diet. I have heard that you MUST follow it for the first (what is it month or 3 months something like that) I've HEARD you have less long term digestion problems if you can behave for that initial time period.
i would go if everyone knew i'd need frequent rest periods, I could get the right food, and if I had a good companion going with me to do all the carrying.

oh, ALso I don't know if i would go on many rides right after surgery... you could pull something loose.