Getting my gallbladder out

[mistyt]

Yes....fatty foods bother me as well and the bowel movements are bad too.
I have a doctor's appt booked for next week so I will see how it goes.
Thanks for the info and good luck with your surgery!

Thank you and good luck with your appointment too! I've been going through this for about 3 years now so I know the pain you are in!

My primary care doctor sent me for an ultra scan and a HIDA scan and they actually couldn't find my gallbladder in either. It wasn't until New Years Eve when I was back in the ER that they finally gave me a CT scan and saw that it was inflamed.

My advice to you is not to stop until you are satisfied with your answers. I can't believe it has taken this long for my doctors to find out what was wrong with me, but I can not wait to have a day where I'm not in terrible pain!

The week before my surgery I was so sick and nauseous I barely ate. I saw the Dr. on Monday and by the following Monday I had lost 7 pds. I was admitted to the hospital the next day and wasn't allowed to eat until Friday after surgery(I was on an all liquid diet while I was hospitalized). I've never been so hungry but I actually felt better because my gallbladder wasn't under stress, trying to digest food. Unfortunately I gained all the weight back once I was on solid food.

I agree that the nauseau is terrible! I've been living on toast!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I had my gall bladder out when I was 17 weeks pregnant. It was the first surgery I had ever had and I was terrified especially since I was pregnant! Everything went fine but my surgeon and OB decided together to keep me overnight just for observation. My anesthesia team was a riot. They kept me laughing before surgery and really put me at ease.

I was very disoriented when I woke up from the anesthesia and remember grabbing my oxygen mask and pulling it off and trying to scream (but couldn't since I was so hoarse from the intubation tube). I vaguely remember the nurse looking over me telling me to calm down then it all went black until I woke up in my private room on the OB floor.

Recovery was pretty quick. I think I was more careful just because of the baby but that was 4 years ago and my scars are almost invisible at this point.

Good luck, OP. You WILL feel so much better afterwards. Gallbladder attacks are much worse than any labor pains I ever experienced!

 

[mistyt]

Good luck, OP. You WILL feel so much better afterwards. Gallbladder attacks are much worse than any labor pains I ever experienced!

Thanks so much!

My aunt had hers out awhile ago and she told me the same thing. She said that I could pretty much go through natural childbirth and have less pain than a gallbladder attaack!

 

[mistyt]

So I just got off the phone with my Doctors Office and I have my Pre-op scheduled for this Friday.

Did you have any questions you asked during your pre-op that I should ask my doctor as well?

 

[Handbag Lady]

I had mine out last year in an emergency on Christmas day. I was 41 and had never had surgery or even a hospital stay.

It was so easy. I'd bring a book/Kindle/Nook because I was in for four days. The first day was when they moved me from the ER to the hospital. The next day was all tests. The third day was the surgery and they kicked me out the next day.

I was sore. Bring a button-down blouse to wear on the way home. All I had was a T-shirt and I couldn't pull that over my head. I went home wearing a pajama top that my husband brought. (He was so sweet and brought about 5 outfits for me to wear, not knowing they made me wear a gown the whole time.)

And the main thing: make nice with your nurses. You can't pee without them if you are hooked to the IV machine. You can't bend over to unhook your machine yourself, so make sure your nurse button is working. (This from the girl who sat needing to pee for six hours and no one came!)

 

[bored]

Wife had gallstones and the surgery caused pancreatitis to kick in resulting in a 4 day hospital stay. Just be aware some side effects to happen with the surgery in certain people.

 

[Catira]

I've been experiencing pain for the last several years and have been told it was everything from endometriosis to kidney stones. After being bounced around from doctor to doctor, they have finally decided that it is in fact my gallbladder and that it needs to be removed.

At 24 I've never had surgery, never broken a bone, or even needed stitches. I know this is a fairly simple procedure, but I'm still very nervous!

Has anyone else had this done and if so how was it?

Thanks in advance for sharing your stories!

I had gallbladder surgery in 2002... my first surgery also. I was nervous, but the surgery was done in the morning and I was home by the afternoon. The one thing I can recommend is to wear loose fitting pants, and a comfortable shirt. Maybe go ahead and wear comfy slippers as well to the procedure. I barely remember trying to put back my jean skirt and a turtle neck sweater. Not the best combination of clothing to have worn that day But it was November and it was cold that morning. Of course, dr's office didn't suggest I wear something comfortable either. I was back to work, 4 days later but was still a bit uncomfortable. Do watch watch you eat after the surgery, as greasy foods tend to cause stomach issues.

Everything will be okay.. ask your doctor any concerns before your surgery. I was also given my post-op prescription prior to my surgery.This way, my husband wouldn't have to leave me alone.

 

[Freyja]

I´m 32 and had mine taken out in August. It was also the first time I was put under. Had the surgery at around 9 AM and was back home around 4 PM. I went back to work a week later (I´m a teacher) and had no complications at all. I was so happy to finally get it out since I had been experiencing excruciating pain which got me into the ER and morphine shots on more than one occasion.

Good luck with your surgery

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I have a friend who's 17 and has to have hers out

Good luck!

 

[mistyt]

I'm so glad that most everyone has seem to had a good experience with getting this procedure done!

I'm actually feeling very relieved (thank you Dis family!) and am trying to get up the courage to watch a video of the procedure being done on youtube (I might opt to not do this still)!

 

[mistyt]

One last question for you guys who have experienced this.

What did you eat prior to your surgery? It seems like everything I eat makes me super sick to my stomach, but I'm always starving! How can I get through this with a week until surgery.

 

[krcit]

I stuck with very bland foods ie: plain chicken, baked potatoes, rice

 

[mistyt]

I stuck with very bland foods ie: plain chicken, baked potatoes, rice

I tried some chicken and rice the other night but couldn't even take a bite.

I'm thinking I might just have to stick to applesauce and popsicles.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I tried some chicken and rice the other night but couldn't even take a bite.

I'm thinking I might just have to stick to applesauce and popsicles.

All I had was applesauce.

Gallbladder pain was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life! After getting it out I felt SO MUCH BETTER. Be prepared to run to the bathroom for the next year, though... unless you're going for a plain diet

 

[mistyt]

All I had was applesauce.

Gallbladder pain was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life! After getting it out I felt SO MUCH BETTER. Be prepared to run to the bathroom for the next year, though... unless you're going for a plain diet

LOL, I've heard it can be a bit rough afterwards! I think I'll be sticking to a plain diet!

 

[kwelch10377]

All I had was applesauce.

Gallbladder pain was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life! After getting it out I felt SO MUCH BETTER. Be prepared to run to the bathroom for the next year, though... unless you're going for a plain diet

I actually had no problems with that afterwards and I wouldn't call my diet plain.

 

[hellokitty86]

When I was really sick before surgery (and before they put me on the clear liquid diet) I was constantly having my DH go to Dunkin Donuts for plain bagels. That was the only thing I could eat without feeling sick.

Please update us after the sugery to let us know how you are feeling.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I had my gallbladder out and my dd had hers out at 16. Yea it sucks, however walking around with gallstones is not fun either.

You will be fine.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I lived on KFC mashed potatoes for almost a month waiting for my surgery. They didn't deem it an emergency, so I had to wait. That was the only thing that didn't make me feel awful. That and plain bread.

I remember going to the prep area with my husband and saying goodbye before they gave me a shot in my IV that made the rest disappear. I don't remember talking to my husband, but her reminds me of the conversations and funny looks I gave him totally out of it.

Although I do remember waking up and watching the clock tick on the wall and the man in the next room over who kept asking me what I was 'in for'. He then proceeded to tell me about his operation! I went to recovery 2 where they made me eat a few crackers and sit up for the first time. Hold on for that!

I was in on a Thursday and back to work on Monday. It was slow going for a while but I'm still cautious about what I eat. If I eat something terrible, I know I'll be sick that day or the next day. But it won't stop me from enjoying food again. 30 days of potatoes and bread makes ANYTHING else sound good!

Good luck and don't worry. You'll feel so much better when you wake up.

 

[bdcp]

All I had was applesauce.

Gallbladder pain was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life! After getting it out I felt SO MUCH BETTER. Be prepared to run to the bathroom for the next year, though... unless you're going for a plain diet

Not everyone has that problem afterward. My DH came home the day of surgery and had tacos for dinner. He never had any problems. My nephew (17) had his out a few days before Christmas and he was eating everything with no issues. We just cruised with a friend who had hers out several weeks before and she was eating what ever she wanted with no problems.