Gallstones diagnosed today . . . Disney tomorrow

[MinMouse]

Help! I was just diagnosed with gallstones today. What are your suggestions for our trip to Disney which starts tomorrow?

 

[Haganfam5]

My mother had gallstones for years and didn't know it until her gallbladder became infected and had to have it removed. You should be fine depending on how severe they are. Just avoid fatty or fried foods, drink lots of water and be sure to include fruits and veggies in your diet while on your trip. Have fun! Oh, and one last thing avoid STRESS!!! Enjoy your vacation and don't worry!

 

[mommic32]

It has been years since I had my gallbladder surgery but from what I can remember, if it was me I would try and avoid any greasy food, especially burgers or fried chicken! I am not sure if they have medications to ease an attack, maybe check with your doctor to see if there is anything he can perscribe in case an attack would strick you while in Disney.

 

[MinMouse]

Thanks Hagan and Mommic. Doc said to go to the emergency room if I have an attack and that I can take Advil for any discomfort. I have an appointment with a surgeon the Monday after we return. Thanks for the food suggestions.

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

I had an attack 4 days before we left for our December trip but was okay while I was down there.

There's lots of healthy, non-attack-causing meals -- I didn't have a single french fry or cheeseburger the entire time I was there! And, I managed to lose 3.5 lbs while we were on our trip too!

Make sure, though, if you've had an attack, to have some pain meds on hand, just in case!!

 

[here757]

im so sorry!! i know they hurt like heck!!
i have never prayed for death before i got gallstones
pp correct. fried foods are a no no..
my trigger food believe it .. oatmeal!! i wanted it soo bad.
for me i couldnt do anything for the pain but ball up.. tey had me on vicoden i took 2 and it still hurt

 

[goofyboyzmom]

I agree with all the previous posters about no fried foods! Also take pain meds with you if they will give you some. Believe it or not what also worked for me: Gas X! It really somehow helped with the pain (before I knew what it was from; I suffered for years!). So nice now that it is gone, you will be so happy. Have a really enjoyable trip and positive thinking for you: NO ATTACKS!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Get a couple of good pillows to sleep sitting up if you get really bad. That helped me before I had my gallbladder removed.

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

...that gas medication seems to help, as a PP mentioned. And, I found I usually felt better for a bit if the attack happened to be one that made me throw up...

Also, no gallbladder also seems to help

Right before my surgery, things like bagels and bananas were setting off my attacks! I was afraid to eat!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I just had my gallbladder out in Aug. How about taking a heating pad to plug in when you side or back is sore? I used one a lot in the weeks before surgery. Or a hot water bottle.
I did not eat fatty or fried food either. Try to order low fat, including salad dressing and "fake" nonfat butters.

 

[amcc]

I had my gallbladder taken out at 22. Definitely no fatty foods. For me, triggers were things like pie crust, I guess shortening. But once, coming back from Universal Horror nights, after breakfast at the Olive Garden buffet, I wanted to die in the back seat of my mom's minivan. If you watch a little bit what you eat, you really should be fine. The surgery was also nothing - best thing I ever did. Recovery time was practically nothing. Good luck and have fun!

 

[NJGirl]

my trigger seemed to be honey nut cheerios and anything dairy. To this day I can not eat cheerios of any kind without getting nauseous bc it reminds me of that final attack before I had surgery.

Definitely got with a low fat diet while ur down there.

 

[MicheleLeigh]

My dh is having his gall bladder removed next week and we are heading to Disney World 3 weeks later lol

He cannot eat red meat, dairy, anything with more than a few grams of fat. He is living on lean chicken, ham, fish, salad with no fat dressing. Good news is he lost 30 lbs!

He has a Rx or Baxipan (sp?) which stops the spasms, he uses that with the Tylenol 3's for pain. See if you can get a Rx for something like that, it helps stop the attack.

 

[erin.w]

Didn't realize how common it is! I had mine out at the age of 23. I can't tell you what my triggers were, but I only had attacks in the evening. A few attacks were enough to make me want to get it removed. Although I don't have attacks anymore, there are other side effects that I still deal with to this day (weight gain specifically in my mid section, lots of gas, and unpredictable bowel habits). Anyone else experience this?

 

[ckdsnynt]

I thought I was dying when I ate cornbread especially! Didn't realize how often I ate the stuff until my gallbladder acted up!

Funny thing tho, my DD had her gallbladder removed several years ago and it was several months before her trigger foods stopped making her sick. With me, as soon as the gallbladder was gone, I could eat anything. I guess everybody is different.

Hope you have a pain free trip.

 

[here757]

it took me 2 weeks to heal.. then again i smoked like a freight train..

i remember waking up screaming and they put me out again..
i dont remember getting dressed.. or the car ride home.. i remember waking up in the drive way.. stopping to smoke on the way in the house..

once my husband filled in the blanks i laughed ..
he dressed me cuz they threatened to admit me.. LOL

 

[pearlieq]

Low fat, nothing fried, lots of water, fruits, & veggies. Cheese seemed to trigger attacks for me.

I see a lot of grilled chicken and grapes in your future at WDW. But hey, it beats hospital food!

 

[pal-mickey]

As already posted, watching what you eat is important. I hope you have a good trip.

 

[cajunfan]

Know your trigger foods...dairy and anything with lettuce were a problem for me. Also the surgeon told me that most attacks only last 2-3 hours and if one lasted more than six hours to head to the emergency room. I have not had problems since I had it removed!

Have fun!

Lynn

 

[JeMarie6]

I had my gallbladder out a few years ago now. Steak set me off before I had it out. Now I still have to watch certain foods like lettuce (so know where your bathrooms are!). I agree, if you get another attact, try sleeping sitting up for a while.