Gallstones diagnosed today . . . Disney tomorrow

[Belle5]

My trigger food was ice cream/ice cream bars. I think you'll be fine as long as you avoid fatty foods. I remember having an attack at Whole Foods right before my scheduled surgery. Somehow, just knowing what the pain was from helped me get through it--it's when you don't know what the pain is that makes it so unbearable and frightening! I hope you have a pain-free trip!

 

[hugabearjo]

I agree with the warmers, depending on where you are staying if you have a rice warmer that goes in the microwave they have been a life saver for me in the last 3 weeks that I have been fighting severe attacks waiting for my surgeon to have an opening to get it done. I finally get to have it out on Friday, and I have never been more thankful for surgery.

From those who have had it out what is the recovery time. I have a friend that is having a tough time (her husband just left her for another woman). She has asked me to be the designated driver so she can go dancing. Is there any chance I will be able to do it after having surgery at 7 that morning? I know it seems silly but, I am afraid she will drink and drive or go home with someone that night if I don't help her get home safely. I will cancel if you guys who have been through surgery think I would make it.

Thanks for the information.

 

[nanadeb]

She has asked me to be the designated driver so she can go dancing. Is there any chance I will be able to do it after having surgery at 7 that morning? I know it seems silly but, I am afraid she will drink and drive or go home with someone that night if I don't help her get home safely. I will cancel if you guys who have been through surgery think I would make it.

She can't be a real friend if she wants you to drive her the evening of your surgery. That's what cabs are for.
No, you will not be up to driving. On your discharge instructions, you will be told not to drive for at least 24 hours because of the anesthesia. Add another 24 hours after the pain medication is discontinued. Both the anesthesia and pain medications need that much time to get completely out of your system. If you try to drive, you will legally be driving under the influence (DUI).
Take care of yourself and let your friend be responsible for her own well being. If she was a real friend, she would be offering to help you recover, not asking you to be her designated driver so she can go out dancing and drinking.

 

[dreamin_disney]

like the others said watch what you eat. I was 7 months pregnant when i got my first attack. Pizza Hut pizza caused me to vomit, nausea and horrible pain went to the ER and found out it was gall stones.

STay away from greasy, fried, enchiladas, etc.

Eat lots of fiber. I didnt get the surgery when i was 7 month prego luckily i passed the stones by vomiting or #2. I had a worse attach 5 weeks after i delivered dd, so i had to have the surgery. Pain was worse then labor.

I think you'll be fine as long as you watch your diet. GOOD LUck! HAve fun!!!!!!!

 

[hambirg]

I didn't have gallstones, but a non-functioning gallbladder. It took over 2 years to get it diagnosed. I agree with the poster that said just knowing what is causing the pain and that it will pass helped a lot. Once we figured out what my problem was I could pretty much only eat chicken or turkey breast, plain oatmeal and green beans. One thing my Dr told me is that the portion size of the food can trigger an attack as well. She said even if you are eating a plain vegetable. . .if it's a bowl full, it can trigger an attack. I found eating off a saucer until I had my surgery really helped keep the attacks at bay. I know that's not really what you want to hear right before a vacation. . .sorry. Something else that helped me was taking enzymes before I ate. . .specifically I would make a tea of water, 2Tbs Bragg's apple cider vinegar with some honey in it and drink that about 30mins before I ate. Ditto what has been said about a hot pack and vicodin. Good luck and I hope you don't have an attack.

ETA- To the poster that asked about being able to drive. . .NO WAY!!! I think I was in a drug induced stupor for at least 3 days after having mine out. It took at least a week before I was up and around. Tell your "friend" that maybe instead of going out, she could come over and take care of you.

 

[BeckyScott]

I just had mine taken out about a month ago.

The ER (where I was actually diagnosed, for obvious reasons) gave me prescription Prilosec. I think it was the same as OTC, but since it was the hospital it was an rx.

I had mine done laparoscopic and it wasn't bad. Or maybe I was just lucky. The day of the surgery, I was pretty stupid and asleep most of the day, but I walked out of the surgery center 4 hours after the surgery. Second day I was up to go to the bathroom and such but taking lots of naps and needed DH to help me get up out of bed. By about Day 4 I was puttering around the house without much problem, took it easy but able to get around, but not feeling good enough to wash dishes, if you kwim. Doctor told me not to drive for a week so DH did FMLA for the week and took over. I had it done on a Friday morning and 9 days later I was back at work no problem, although I have a sitting-desk sort of job.

So hugabear, your doctor will probably tell you no driving, even if you feel like it which you won't, you'll be told not to. It was written on my release paperwork.

The surgeon did mine in 18 minutes flat. Apparantly this is a point of pride somehow. I also totally grossed out the kids showing them my owie-spots. You gotta gross out your kids every now and then. And the joke was that apparantly I have to have surgery to get anyone else to do the housework, but I don't have very many spare body parts.

And yes, I have felt much better now that it's gone.

 

[mamalle]

feel better and stay away from the foods that trigger it. Nothing like ending up in a ER OOT.. Just happend to a patient of mine over the weeked in the ER... He ended up missing his flight back home and had his GB removed here. He was in a lot of pain and very sick. on that note.. dh had his via laprascope.. It was out pt surgery and he did very well... He took the weekend off and back to work in a few days.. Really he didnt need more than 4 days and he is a fireman.. there was some bruising and the main complaint I see with patients ( I also do outpt recovery) is the shoulder/gas pains.. Hope you have a nice trip.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I had my Gall Bladder out several years ago . I agree with the advice others have given pertaining to the foods to avoid. I got very sick with my gall bladder ended up having liver function issues but that was mostly because I had huge stones and evidently a very high pain tolerance. The Doc told me I should be screaming in pain and begging for meds. I recovered quickly from the surgery though. I wouldn't advise anyone make plans for several days afterwards.

 

[princessmom29]

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

This was my trigger food too. Especally dark green lettuce and spinach. It took the doc six months to figure out what was going on b/c I have gall stones and IBS! Started after the birth of DD now 5. Some nights I thought I was going to die. I got so fustrated when no one could tell me what was going on. I was trying to lose weight so I was eating LOTS of salads. When the finally got it figured out that all the lettuce was aggravating both conditions I didn't even end up having to have my gall bladder out. I have not had an attack in over 2 years.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I had mine out 13 years ago. wow where does the time go! but my triggers were spaghetti sauce and red meat. I had it done Thursday before Memorial day and spent the weekend at the shore recovering. I was back at work by Tuesday. I didn't drive until then though. You will be amazed at how much better you feel. I had no idea how sick I was until I had it out. I though all my back pains were fron my car seat. LOL.

 

[MicheleLeigh]

One thing my Dr told me is that the portion size of the food can trigger an attack as well. She said even if you are eating a plain vegetable. . .if it's a bowl full, it can trigger an attack.

Yes, my dh has noticed this as well, eat more smaller meals. Do not eat a big meal even if it's low fat with no trigger foods. He also mentioned that the Rx he takes (Baxipan) is apparently available OTC in the US (we are in Canada)

I had my gall bladder out 15 years ago so it's too long ago for me to remember much. Mine was also pregnancy triggered, it was actually my first pregnancy symptom right after the missed period lol My mother knew what was happening but by OBGYN kept putting it off to gas So I suffered through many attacks with no pain meds. Finally after the birth my GP diagnosed me and I got it removed when ds was 3 months old.

Good luck with your trip!

 

[MinMouse]

Thanks for all the advice. We're heading out and I'm sure to watch the food I eat!

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Here's hoping you have a pain free trip!
I had my gall bladder removed a few weeks ago after having just one attack. I'd never had attacks before and I didn't even know what was wrong with me after that first attack happened.

I started googling and asked the DIS drs and figured out it was my gall bladder. About a day and a half after the first attack, I had a second one which put me in the ER which led to having emergency surgery to remove them.

I still can't eat much fried food or drink anything with caffiene. It makes me really sick now..bleh.

 

[brekin67]

There are excellent Drs. that will come to your resort room if needed. The cost is what you would pay about anywhere. hope everything goes well during your trip.

 

[Piecey]

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

I was diagnosed with gallstones during my 20th week of pregnancy... Can't have it out until after the baby.

I carry Tylenol 3 with me at ALL times. Attacks hit randomly and they're horrible. Did they give you anything for pain?
I've only had to take it 3 times since I was diagnosed but I can't imagine going through that pain again...

Stay away from...
Spicy foods (actually had an attack last night and I had salsa )
Deep-Fried... I'm fine if I JUST eat something like french fries.. but I couldn't do french fries & chicken tenders both. I eat a lot of salads.


I used this chart to get a better idea of good/bad things.
http://www.gallbladderattack.com/gallbladderdiet.shtml#gallbladderdiet

It can be controlled relatively well with diet but carry some painkillers with you, just in case!!!