gallbladder sugery...glad it's over!

[YourMajesty]

I had my gallbladder out this past Friday. It really went pretty well. This was my first surgery that I was actually placed on a vent so waking up was a little different. I had some major ankle surgery last year but I was able to breath on my own. I checked off on my pre-op that I wasn't nervous so they did give me anything before putting me out. This turned out to be distressing to me. I was fully alert and then they gave me the heavy duty meds in my IV and I felt like I was dying. On top of that the nurse started cutting off my airway while I was sitll awake. She was pressing on my throat telling me that she was blocking anything from coming up in my airways. If I could have I would have knocked her hand away and ran out....however, I just kept thinking go to sleep...which i did. This was awful...did anyone have someone cut off their air by pressing on the throat before you were alseep?

The DR said the surgery went well. I did wake up in tons of pain. My lungs felt so tight too. The nurse finally ask me if I took pain meds at home...which I had in moderation for ankle pain(surgery). She told me I had built up a resistance....I'm like what? If I needed anything it was darvocet(not the stongest of pain meds)...maybe one or two a day if I was having ankle pain. I always responded to the basic dose...no resistance. There I was in pain feeling like I couldn't say anything. I think I just woke up in so much pain it took a while to get under control....when I went back to recovery I was better and haven't needed too much in the way of pain control...although i would probably take more if they didn't make me sick.
Well, just needed to get that experience off my chest. The gallbladder was very diseased and had been for a long time per Dr...it was also inflamed so it's good to have it out. Good luck to the others that are needing surgery.

 

[MinnyGranny62]

I feel so sorry for you but glad that everything turned out all right.
How are you doing today? Better I hope. Shirley

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yikes, that sounds fairly unpleasant as far as the pressing of the throat goes. Glad you're feeling better.

 

[YourMajesty]

I feel so sorry for you but glad that everything turned out all right.
How are you doing today? Better I hope. Shirley

Much better today...thank you. I'm able to enjoy the DIS boards today...that's an improvement from yesterday.

Pea-n-me...I hope I didnt' scare you about the throat thing...it's just I would recommmend something before going in. I had something before i had my ankle surgery and I coudln't remember anything but some bright lights in the OR.

 

[Candace]

Gosh, I had this same surgery on Thursday, the day before you. Was yours laproscopic? I am cut 4 places - the only one that hurts is the one in my belly button, and for the first 3 days, it was awful! Not as bad as my c-section, but that was 21 years ago. This hurt much more than I thought it would. Getting in and out of bed is the worst, but today, the 4th day is a huge improvement. I am probably going to try to go back to work tomorrow. Glad to hear you are doing well.

 

[bsnyder]

Glad you're feeling better, and I hope the recovery goes smoothly for you.

This surgery has come a long way! I had my gallbladder removed in 1984 and back then, it was major abdominal surgery, that required a week long stay in the hospital.

 

[debbiedoo]

I have had laproscopic gall bladder done -- after the first week it is like you did not have done.

I had this done 7 and 1/2 years ago and you were out of work for 2 weeks -- I hear it has went to one week now

 

[llij]

I'm glad to hear you are doing better, but what a scary experience for you! Did you have it out laproscopic or the old fashion way?

I had mine out 7 years ago and I remember feeling uncomfortable for a few days and then back to normal within a week.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[YourMajesty]

Gosh, I had this same surgery on Thursday, the day before you. Was yours laproscopic? I am cut 4 places - the only one that hurts is the one in my belly button, and for the first 3 days, it was awful! Not as bad as my c-section, but that was 21 years ago. This hurt much more than I thought it would. Getting in and out of bed is the worst, but today, the 4th day is a huge improvement. I am probably going to try to go back to work tomorrow. Glad to hear you are doing well.

Hi Candace. Yes it was laproscopic and I have four incisions...one right above the belly button. I also had a c-section...eight years ago. I was a bit surprised about the pain too(I guess I didn't hear the pain part...just the quick recovery part ). I'm just umcomfortable now...mostly when I first stand or make sudden movement. I've had a nagging cough since I woke up...it's like something is stuck on my vocal cords. I'm glad to hear you have turned the corner. I'm planning on working this Thursday but it's at a desk...no lifting. Keep me posted...hope everything goes well at work.

 

[MinnieM3]

What a snarky nurse!! Glad you're feeling better. Take it easy. Wishing you well!!

 

[DVC-Don]

Had mine out 4 days before this past Christmas. I takes 2 to 3 weeks to really get back to normal. It'll get better.

I had 4 attacks in mid December and wound up in the ER three times, twice via ambulance along with a 3 day hospital stay thrown in. I thought I was dying. I lost about 20 pounds which was a nice side effect.

And I went on a short WDW 4 weeks after my surgery for the Expedition Everest preview.