Gallbladder surgery 4 weeks before WDW

[mandis77]

Just scheduled my surgery for Sept 3 and we are leaving for WDW Oct 1. This gives me 4 weeks to recover. I had the surgeon, the resident and a nurse tell me this is plenty of time (planning on laproscopic). I am staying overnight and then will have plenty of help post-op. My husband works from home and my mom is coming to help with my kids (6yo & 3yo). My oldest daughter will be back at school my then too.

Has anyone out there did WDW 4 weeks post-op? Most people I'm talked to said they feel better after a few weeks.

 

[marklodi]

Hi. Did not do WDW or DL right after surgery, but I have had the procedure, and was good to go for any activity in 2 weeks. Of course, everyone heals differently, but most likely, you'll be raring to go for your trip! Just be a good patient and do everything your doctor and care-givers recommend for a quick recovery, especially regarding dietary changes (initially).

Have a great time!

Mark

 

[haj697]

I had my gall bladder removed (laproscopic) almost 2 years ago. We went to WDW exactly 3 weeks after my surgery. I was fine by then. The first week was a little rough because it seemed to take forever for the anesthesia to completely get out of my system. It was also painful to sit up from a laying position because of the muscles being cut for the incision sites (3 different locations). My post-op appointment was 8 days after my procedure and everything was healing nicely. I was definitely ready to travel by the time of our trip.

Just remember that everyone heals differently. Most importantly, follow the recovery instructions of your physician and allow yourself time to heal. Have a great time and enjoy your trip!

 

[North of Mouse]

Just scheduled my surgery for Sept 3 and we are leaving for WDW Oct 1. This gives me 4 weeks to recover. I had the surgeon, the resident and a nurse tell me this is plenty of time (planning on laproscopic). I am staying overnight and then will have plenty of help post-op. My husband works from home and my mom is coming to help with my kids (6yo & 3yo). My oldest daughter will be back at school my then too.

Has anyone out there did WDW 4 weeks post-op? Most people I'm talked to said they feel better after a few weeks.

Had the laproscopic surgery done end of Dec. and even though I had no Disney plans, I can tell you mostly what to expect. It was out patient - over night was not even considered. Getting in and out of bed was what I needed help with most as it pulls those stomach muscles.

Unlike what some would like you to believe, it did take me a week to get over most of my pain and the soreness lasted another couple weeks, but by the end of the third week I would have been ok to do Disney, but would not have planned a trip then. by the 4th week you should be fine.

By the age of your children, you are pretty young - that will make loads of difference in how you 'bounce' back. I am retirement age so my recovery may have been a little slower even though I am in good condition.

Barring complications unforeseen, you will be just fine. Have a great trip.

Sometimes 'health' does get in the way of planned trips, eh?

 

[msmama]

I had mine out when my son was 10 weeks old. I think I was back to normal activity by 4 weeks, but I don't consider Disney "normal" activity.

Your biggest problem may be food. Follow the diet the doctor gives you, but be aware there may be some hidden things that make you sick. For instance - for the last 6 years I've had to start my day with toast or a bagel or english muffin. Once that's in my stomach I can eat something else (in for a long day of discomfort if I start with, say, eggs, or something - pancakes and waffles can be ok, but I'm careful). Also, lettuce can be an upset stomach trigger for some people (for me, especially if I didn't start my day with my toast). I actually found that out the hard way at WDW and am lucky that I know where all the bathrooms are.

Amusement parks in general have a lot more fatty foods than you probably eat at home so be aware of that.

 

[KPeterso]

I guess I will be the lone dissenter. There was no way at 4 weeks that I was ready to go to Disney. Work was wearing me out and my body was still "adjusting". When I said bathroom, I meant, get out of my way as I ran for it. I could not have done that in the parks. I did head over to Disneyland about 5-6 weeks post surgery, but we only had dinner and went on a couple rides. Not long or full days.

 

[North of Mouse]

Ask your doctor? How you feel and what his advice is would probably be your answer.

 

[jel0511]

Last year I was in WDW 6-7 weeks post gallbladder surgery. I even walked the Happy Haunted 5k! It was tough, but I got through it! I was tired at the end of the race, but I had no problems with my incisions. I did have to watch what I ate though and was VERY careful so I wouldn't get sick. Those first few weeks after the surgery my diet pretty much consisted of soup so I wouldn't get sick. I don't know if I wouldn't have wanted to have gone that close post-op looking back. 6-7 weeks worked for me.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would be sure to purchase trip insurance just in case. My surgery ended up being a full incision after a planned lap and it took a full 6 weeks to recover. I actually had fewer issues with food after the surgery than I was having before and i was feeling so bad before, that going after a typical lap would have been easier than before the surgery.

 

[mm1971]

I would be sure to purchase trip insurance just in case. My surgery ended up being a full incision after a planned lap and it took a full 6 weeks to recover. I actually had fewer issues with food after the surgery than I was having before and i was feeling so bad before, that going after a typical lap would have been easier than before the surgery.

This is similar to my experience as well. I had to have the full surgery after expecting lap. While I'm sure the plan is lap, you never know. If for some reason you need the full incision, there is no way you'll be ready. As long as the lap goes well, you should be OK after 4 weeks.

Trip insurance would be worth the cost. Check the small print to make sure pre-existing conditions are covered.

 

[mirage0306]

If you do indeed end up with the lap (most people do), I would imagine you'd be just fine to go. I had the lap done 8 years ago and was fine after just a few days. I would just take it easy when you go, but really, it was an incredibly quick and uncomplicated recovery for me.

But like others said, if you end up needing the full surgery, it's pretty invasive and I imagine you wouldn't want to be traipsing around WDW just 4 weeks afterward. Trip insurance here sounds smart. Feel better!

 

[mandis77]

Thanks everyone for their helpful comments. To say I'm nervous about this is an extreme understatement. So I'm 36, in good health, I eat well and exercise regularly. I don't work and will have plenty of help with kids post-op so all I will need to concentrate on is resting and getting better. So on paper it "looks" like I'll have a quick recovery. But, I do know that unexpected things happen (obviously - when I booked this trip in April there was no gallbladder issue AT ALL) and it's possible I won't bounce back as quickly as I'd hope, or I might end up having a big incision. Yuck.

There is no way this trip will be cancelled, worst case scenario is that we would delay it a few months. We are under the 45 day mark so obviously this trip and airfare are already paid off. From what I've read that would incur a $50 change fee (and possibly any extra rate charges). Is this right? We purchased our airfare separately via Southwest and there is no change fee (again, except a possible increase difference). So at this point I'm not sure if purchasing insurance would be the most economical because we would not cancel, just delay.

I had previously done a WDW trip while in my 2nd trimester so I know it's possible to have a "take it easy" kind of trip and still have a wonderful time. We purposely planned this trip in October to take advantage of Free Dining and finally go to Food & Wine. This whole thing just bums me out immensely. Stupid gallbladder!

 

[mandis77]

oh, and the first thing I brought up to the surgeon, the resident and the nurse who scheduled me was about this trip and if 4 weeks was enough. All said it would be fine, even "more than enough time". I actually asked if I could delay it 8 weeks until WDW is over but I was advised against that.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

oh, and the first thing I brought up to the surgeon, the resident and the nurse who scheduled me was about this trip and if 4 weeks was enough. All said it would be fine, even "more than enough time". I actually asked if I could delay it 8 weeks until WDW is over but I was advised against that.

You definitely don't want to delay! You risk further inflammation to the point where laparoscopic isn't possible. I'm with the pp's. You'll feel fine 4 weeks out, you'll just really have to watch your diet. I think my husband's doctor said super low fat for at least 6 weeks. His nurse said it really should be little to NO fat for 6 weeks...or as long as you can hold out. I would bring some fat free snacks with you to munch on. Even "good" fats are off limits for awhile. Good luck!! You'll be fine. My husband was in and out of surgery in the time it took me to eat a chipotle burrito and read a people magazine.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

So, OP how did it go?

I ask because I had my gallbladder out, 2 weeks ago. And I leave for WDW in 2 weeks.

I had no idea that I needed my gallbladder out, until the Saturday before my surgery. I had pain, saw my doctor and he admitted me. I stayed overnight, then had the surgery. I then spent another night at the hospital.

I have been and can continue to take it easy until our trip.

 

[mandis77]

So, OP how did it go?

I ask because I had my gallbladder out, 2 weeks ago. And I leave for WDW in 2 weeks.

I had no idea that I needed my gallbladder out, until the Saturday before my surgery. I had pain, saw my doctor and he admitted me. I stayed overnight, then had the surgery. I then spent another night at the hospital.

I have been and can continue to take it easy until our trip.

It went just fine!

I noticed a huge difference between weeks 2 and 3. I started walking on the treadmill week 3 to prepare for all the walking. I left exactly 4 weeks after surgery and had no problems at all. I gave myself no restrictions and did plenty of eating, drinking, riding and swimming.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mrsbicewdw]

I had mine out and then took an eight-hour drive and wedding trip exactly a week later. I was okay. I bit sore still, but the worst of the pain had gone (honestly the worst part was the post-op bruising and the gas that gets trapped in your abdomen). A couple of weeks after, I was just fine. After a month or so the worst thing left was having to pull out one of my "dissolvable" stitches that had worked its way out of my incision. Apparently my body rejected the material instead of letting it dissolve. Itched like CRAZY.

 

[navyblue8]

I had it done when go was young, but I was back to my college classes in a few days.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I had it done when go was young, but I was back to my college classes in a few days.

When I was young, I was able to do that too.

Now, not so much.

 

[bean24]

I had gallbladder surgery three weeks before my Disney trip. I went just watched what I ate, and did fine. Good luck and take it easy.