Hey Gallbladder People... How Are You Doing?

[Virgo10]

There was a bunch of us around the end of last year who had just had their GB's out or who were waiting to have them out. I'm surprised no one was online WHILE they were having it out.

Anyway, how are you feeling? My recovery has been pretty generic except for the fatigue. I can't seem to shake it and I requested and got a blood test for a CBC. I was suppose to go to the DR. last week but had car trouble and had to cancel. I'm hoping he'll see me something this week.

Most foods don't seem to be bothering me but I think I might have OD'd on cheese yesterday because this morning hasn't been too good.

At nearly 8 weeks post op, the incisions don't hurt any more. Not even the one that was giving me so much trouble right after the surgery. The visible incision lines are nearly gone. My doctor did a great cosmetic job.


Anyone else want to report in on how their recovery is going?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Glad to hear it!!!

My 15yodd is going to have her gallbladder out soon. I have an appt. with the surgeon in March.
Mom is reallllly nervous about it of course...

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Hi Virgo! Glad to hear you are doing well.

I'm usually fine, except for that fatigue but that's getting better as well. I didn't have pretty incisions. I'm a little larger then most so mine were a bit larger but still healed quickly. Its funny because the lines where he cut me are almost gone but I reacted to the stainless steel staples. Even the dr was rather shocked about that. I still have darker marks from where the staples wouldn't heal. Go figure!

Also, I did find out the hard way about not eating for extended periods of time. I had lunch yesterday at about 3 p.m. so was not hungry for dinner. Figured I didn't need it anyway. I slept late this morning so when I hit the bathroom at about 9:30 a.m. it was rather . I won't get into the details but it was alot of bile. A friend had warned me about that but I had forgotten. My stomach still hurts!!

Other then that, I'm doing great. Food issues have pretty much gone away.

Good luck to your DD, MM. Being so young she should bounce back rather quickly.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

RE being online during surgery--I did ask for a laptop when I was in recovery right after surgery ...I did my best to DIS right after... Instead I waited until I got home, ate something since my DH would have had a fit otherwise , and then (1/2 hour after getting home) I was on MSN and soon after the DISboards. That's when I realized that I'm an addict.

I am doing much better 1 month post-op. I still have some pain sometimes where my gallbladder was. Not sure what that is all about and I'm supposed to call the surgeon if it's still going on. It is much better than what it was 2 weeks ago, though, so I'm holding off. It doesn't happen often so I think I'm ok. If it's still happening in a couple weeks I'll call. I had a few days of sticking very close to the bathroom, but I seem to be over that. My incisions are still a little sore, especially the belly button one. I really only notice it if my cat is getting on my lap and steps on it.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I had mine out the day before Thanksgiving, a hernia repaired at the same time, and I feel great.

 

[bgirl29]

O.K. I hate to ask but does anyone want to share how they knew they needed to have theirs removed. I have been having some stomach issues and am a major wimp about calling the Dr. Since issues come and go I avoid calling. And how bad did you feel right after the surgery? If this is too personal feel free to ignore me. Thanks!!

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I had mine out in December 2004 and had trouble eating a lot of food in one sitting or fatty foods for a few months afterward and the fatigue/nausea was really bad.
In May 2006 I got diagnosed with Celiac's Disease and any troubles with fatty foods went out the window.

 

[Virgo10]

O.K. I hate to ask but does anyone want to share how they knew they needed to have theirs removed. I have been having some stomach issues and am a major wimp about calling the Dr. Since issues come and go I avoid calling. And how bad did you feel right after the surgery? If this is too personal feel free to ignore me. Thanks!!

In October of last year I had a classic full blown gallbladder attack. It was absolutely the worst pain I have ever felt. EVER!!! About 2 weeks later I had a second one and that was all it took to convince me to be tested. They did an ultrasound and found my GB was full of stones.

Recovery was a breeze for the most part. I was out of bed and walking about 8 hours after the surgery. I went home the next day. My only set back was my own fault as I tried doing too much too soon and ended up with a hematoma behind one of the incision sites.

Not everyone has the mind boggling pain like I did. Others have said they had some discomfort and were surprised to find out it was coming from their GB. The ultrasound is a very noninvasive test and will most likely answer the question of if your GB is the source of your misery.

Good luck.

 

[SillyMe]

I just had my follow up from my HIDA scan. My doc is sending me to a surgeon for his recommendation. Mine isn't functioning right, he said the name but i don't remember what it was. So, he's leaving it up to the surgeon.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

When they did an ultrasound of my gallbladder it was completely filled with stones and not functioning.
I went to the doctor for immense stomach pain and cramping. I felt like someone was squishing me between two stones and then stabbing me in the breastbone. It was the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

When they did an ultrasound of my gallbladder it was completely filled with stones and not functioning.
I went to the doctor for immense stomach pain and cramping. I felt like someone was squishing me between two stones and then stabbing me in the breastbone. It was the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life.

That pretty much is it. It is horrible pain. I was operated on at 8 a.m. home by 1 p.m. the same day. And that was for the gallbladder and a hernia. I didn't take any of the prescribed med. for pain, just tylenol. I was home for 5 days due to school being closed (Thanksgiving, I drive a bus) back to work on Monday. I was tired and a little sore for awhile, not enough to take anything. No lifting for 2-3 weeks.

Surgery for me was much easier than the gallbladder attacks themselves.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Checking in about a month after surgery. My surgery was a little different b/c I was 21 weeks pregnant at the time. My recovery went well but was a little slow. We took our Disney trip 5 days after surgery and I was honestly exhausted most of the time even though I was in a wheelchair for the trip.

The scars aren't able to heal as fast because my uterus is expanding and pressing on my tummy but I am hoping they fade eventually!

I have lots of "juicy burps" and heartburn and some foods cause really bad gas. I still have issues with sugars and I have found I have a hard time with salads now but other than that I can eat most everything else like I could before I had gallbladder issues.

I am hoping that some of those issues go away after the pregnancy but we will have to wait and see!

Hope everyone else is doing well!

 

[thinkerbell]

My husband and I both had gallbladder surgery on Dec. 20th. We came home the same day and a week later we were back to normal. Neither of us really have any bathroom issues. We have eaten Mexican, Japanese, etc. with no problems. We were afraid of what might happen to our digestive systems after surgery because of all we had heard but we have both done really well. Like others have said, the surgery is absolutely nothing compared to a full blown gallbladder attack.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Hey guys...

I had mine out on April 12th, 2006 and I was home the same day.

The reason I knew that I needed an operation was unbelievable PAIN!

I had been to a dinner party on Feb 6th and had a very healthy meal. It was a nice pasta dish with red sauce and a nice salad. At about 1:30 am I was so uncomfortable in bed I had to get up as to not disturb my husband. By 2:30 am I thought there was something really wrong but I hate doctors so I took some tylenol and tried to sleep, at 4:30 I thought of waking up my hubby and having him take me to the Hospital but by 5:00 the pain was getting better so I thought it was over...NOT

Anytime I had ANY pasta I would get horrible cramps. It could be a full meal or a few noddles in a lean cuisine frozen meal. It did not matter but the pasta was my trigger. Doc said that was very odd as usually it was high fat foods that are the trigger.

I had a bad attack in March so bad that it freaked out my husband really badly and I was in the ER for 14 hours.

They sent me home with a diagnosis of GB stones and some demorol (spelling?) for pain if I had another attack. I did have many more before my surgery. Even when I did not have an attack, I did not feel WELL...That was the only way I could tell my husband how I felt...I did not feel well...

Well, fast forward to the day of my operation. I got operated at 10:45 am and was home by 8:30 PM. All hail Pain MEDS, all hail Dilauded (spelling?)...I love them. I was feeling better as soon as I woke up. It was night and day for me.

I have been great ever since. I have a few days where the bathroom is a good friend but that is the same as before my surgery.

BEST PART...before the surgery I was lactose intolerent...NOW I CAN HAVE LACTOSE!!! I can't tell you how that works but I think my GB was the cause of my cramps and bloating all that time. I was taking Lactose pills for at least 5 years. It had been a decade since I could enjoy an ice cream at Dairy Queen or cheese...NOW I CAN!!!

I still can't have sour cream much but I feel a lot better. It took a while to get my strenght back and I was tired a lot but after 2 months, that was mostly gone.

Hang in there guys, it gets better...

 

[Lisa11130]

I just had my Gall bladder out Jan 31st. I am a regular reader here about Disney things and just found this subject and really enjoyed everyone's posts. I didn't know I was having major gall bladder problems until Jan 30th when I was having some major right side pain and my Husband took me into the ER. They took me to do an ultrasound and said I needed to have my gall bladder out immediately. Later that afternoon I was laying in recovery thinking what in the world is happening to me? Since I turned 40 everything has went downhill. Timing with this was not good but WOW the pain I was in! They did my surgery by laser so I have been doing pretty well. I go to my 2 week check up this Thur. and hopefully back to work this week also. We are going to Vegas for Spring Break and now my slot $ is shot! LOL! Figured I'd loose it anyhow though. Wondering if anyone has lost weight after having their Gall Bladder out? I have gained over 50 pounds in the past 2 years and now am hearing that my gall bladder may have been part of my problem! I hopefully can loose this now or I am going to join Weight Watchers or something.
Thanks for everyone here for their input, you all are great!