Gall bladder surgery advice?

[englishteacha]

I had my gall bladder out on Wednesday. The doctor gave me some potent drugs that made me really loopy, so I prefer not to take them. I've been taking extra strength tylenol and have been putting cold packs on my incisions (5 small ones). I even resorted to putting frozen peas IN my belly button because it was so sore. Anyone have any advice to help me feel more comfortable?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Had mine out two years ago. I stopped taking the prescription the doctor gave me after 2 days because of a bad reaction to it. At that point, any pain was better than feeling like I was going to pass out, vomit, etc. I only had 3 small incisions and I didn't use icepacks at all. The only advice I can give you is to take it easy, move slowly and know that by this coming Wednesday you'll feel much better. Time heals all wounds.

 

[kmp1191]

I had mine out 10 years ago. 4 or 5 incisions....don't remember. Anyway, i remember using a pillow when I had to cough, but I don't remember using ice packs or anything. I was driving after 3 days and back to work in a week. 10 months later my DD was born....not really sure i was up to THAT!!

 

[MomToARedhead]

Regarding your belly button incision, I would recommend wearing pants with elastic waistbands for as long as possible. I had my gall bladder out 4 weeks ago and while the recovery pain didn't bother me too much (I didn't even take the pain pills), I think I wore jeans too soon - the incision above my belly button had a hard time closing up and I finally realized it was because when I sit down, my jeans rubbed against it. A few more days in PJ pants and it was closed up like the other 2 incisions I have.

In the meantime, rest as much as possible and if you have someone to help you around the house, take advantage of their help! Hope your recovery is speedy! Every day gets easier and easier.

 

[Robindianne]

DH had his gall bladder out Wednesday as well. Yesterday he had lots of pain (took his max of pain meds that day) and it was also mostly the belly button incision - it's pink while the others are not. He's mostly trying to keep up with the pain meds, colace (so the pain meds don't stop him up and cause more pressure and pain) and play World of Warcraft to "lose time" so he can try to not feel the pain.

Not sure why the belly button incision is the worst of his (he has 4) but it is. His Dr said ice would help but he's not using it. He has gotten a horrible rash all over his torso and inner arms now though so he's going to lay off the meds for the night and call his dr in the am. So sorry about your pain. I hope you feel better tonight and can tolerate the loopiness.

 

[horseshowmom]

Just some info that nobody gave me: Try to watch the fat content of the food that you eat from now on. It will affect you differently now. I can't eat some foods if I don't have immediate access to a restroom. For example, I can't eat a Big Mac if I'm traveling (enough said there ).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just took reg. strength OTC stuff as I am allergic to pain meds.
My 17yodd had hers out last Aug.

Just rest and take it easy. We did not use ice packs but then again we were not that sore.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Just some info that nobody gave me: Try to watch the fat content of the food that you eat from now on. It will affect you differently now. I can't eat some foods if I don't have immediate access to a restroom. For example, I can't eat a Big Mac if I'm traveling (enough said there ).

For me it doesn't matter what I eat or drink. Immediate access to a bathroom. After about 2-3 weeks of this, I finally called the doctor and he prescribed cholestramyne (sp?). I've been on it ever since. He said some people need it for a little while, some people for years. Apparently I'm lucky enough to be one of the ones that needs it for years. Don't hesitate to contact your doctor if you need help in this "area".

 

[Wonderlandmom]

I have not had my gallbladder out, but I had laparoscopy. I would take several Motrin/Advil. Tylenol does nothing for me. I never needed a pain pill. Can you take Ibuprofen?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I limited my movement, wore very loose clothing, took a mild pain pill. You may want to ask for a different drug that doesn't loop you up. Food was my major trigger. Eat small meals more often during the day. I needed to stay away for fat for over 2 years... I also was told to use Gaviscon for the belly upset...

The best advise I can give you is to stay calm. As hard as it it, try not to stress over it. It will help you to heal faster and without much pain.

 

[ilovecoasters]

For me it doesn't matter what I eat or drink. Immediate access to a bathroom. After about 2-3 weeks of this, I finally called the doctor and he prescribed cholestramyne (sp?). I've been on it ever since. He said some people need it for a little while, some people for years. Apparently I'm lucky enough to be one of the ones that needs it for years. Don't hesitate to contact your doctor if you need help in this "area".

I take this now too after 6 months of every test, ultrasound, endoscopy and colonoscopy to rule out any major problems. The name brand is Questran. It made a huge difference. Nobody ever told me that not having a gallbladder would mean never eating out at a restaurant again. My tummy isn't perfect, but without this medication, life was rough.

 

[Vijoge]

Just some info that nobody gave me: Try to watch the fat content of the food that you eat from now on. It will affect you differently now. I can't eat some foods if I don't have immediate access to a restroom. For example, I can't eat a Big Mac if I'm traveling (enough said there ).

I got terribly sick from eating fatty foods before I had my gallbladder surgery but not after.

 

[Vijoge]

We did not use ice packs but then again we were not that sore.

I had so much pain prior to surgery that my post-surgical pain seemed trivial. I didn't take any pain meds once I left the hospital.

 

[Vijoge]

Nobody ever told me that not having a gallbladder would mean never eating out at a restaurant again.

How awful for you. My sister had her gallbladder removed when she was in her mid-twenties and I remember she complained a lot about getting sick after she ate. I've never had that problem, though. Once I had the surgery everything was fine.

 

[horseshowmom]

For me it doesn't matter what I eat or drink. Immediate access to a bathroom. After about 2-3 weeks of this, I finally called the doctor and he prescribed cholestramyne (sp?). I've been on it ever since. He said some people need it for a little while, some people for years. Apparently I'm lucky enough to be one of the ones that needs it for years. Don't hesitate to contact your doctor if you need help in this "area".

I take this now too after 6 months of every test, ultrasound, endoscopy and colonoscopy to rule out any major problems. The name brand is Questran. It made a huge difference. Nobody ever told me that not having a gallbladder would mean never eating out at a restaurant again. My tummy isn't perfect, but without this medication, life was rough.

That's interesting. I'd never heard that before, but OTOH, nobody ever mentioned to me that there would be any kind of a problem at all. It took awhile to adjust, and I did have some major issues while I "learned" how to deal with it.

Mine came out years ago (about 18 years ago). I would think that doctors would do a better job of warning patients now, but my dad had his out a couple of years ago, and nobody mentioned it to him either. He finally asked me if I had had any problems, and I knew immediately what he was talking about. I'll check with him to see whether he may need the medication or whether he's doing better.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

That's interesting. I'd never heard that before, but OTOH, nobody ever mentioned to me that there were be any kind of a problem at all. It took awhile to adjust, and I did have some major issues while I "learned" how to deal with it.

I agree completely agree about doctors being a little more forthcoming. I specifically asked and my doctor told me there would be any issues. If I even had a drink of water, I had major problems. Had nothing to do with fat intake. Any intake at all was an issue. I finally called the doctor after I began bleeding, thinking I had color cancer or something. He was very nonchalant about it and said take the prescription and your problems will subside. He was right, but I was angry that I hadn't been warned.

 

[KyraS]

I can't help with pain because my pain was so severe before having mine out that the pain afterwards didn't even count as pain to me. Of course I have also had a C-Section so comparing the two wasn't even in the same ballgame.

Now the other problem....uggh I hate it. I deal with it because it's so much better then the severe pain of the gallbladder but I hate it. Especially if we are out of town or on vacation and eating at a restaurant. With me when it hits, it hits and there better be a gas station or something quickly! I hate that part!

 

[MomToARedhead]

I can't help with pain because my pain was so severe before having mine out that the pain afterwards didn't even count as pain to me. Of course I have also had a C-Section so comparing the two wasn't even in the same ballgame.

I had a natural childbirth - I had the epidural, but it had worn off well before it was time to push - and I would do it again WITHOUT the epidural if the alternative was gall stone pain and blockage! Without a doubt, the stones squeezing into my ducts was the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life!


I, like another poster, am surprised to hear all of the problems. I'm 4 weeks post-op and everything is back to normal - I normally follow a low-fat diet anyway and am continuing to do so, but I have DEFINITELY been indulging in the fatty treats that accompany this time of year. No problems though and the doc never mentioned I could have further problems. I am so sorry to hear that problems have continued in a different way for some folks.

 

[ols386]

I had mine out about 2 years ago (laproscopic), and within 24 hours I had a complication, and had to go back to the hospital to have the complication repaired. I took the pain medication that the dr. gave me for about a week afterwards. The directions said I could take two pills at at time, but I didn't take more than one at a time, because taking two literally knocked me out. Since having mine removed, there are some things I really can't eat anymore, like foods that are high in fat (which I don't need anyway).

 

[burberryplaid]

I had mine out a year and a half ago and had no problems or complications. I eat healthier just because I am trying to lose weight, but when I do indulge in high fat foods on occassion, it's not an issue.

My advice for recovery is to make sure to get up and walk around every once in a while. It will help relieve the bloating caused by the gas that was pumped into your body during surgery. Take it easy and rest as much as you can.

I hope you have a speedy recovery.