laprascopic gallbladder surgery??

[sdjen]

Just wondering if any DIS friends out there have had this? My 38 year old SIL had to have emergency surgery today and I am wondering how major it is? How long did it take before you were back to normal? She has two little ones and is wondering how long she will need help for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mrs.Milo]

I had mine out last August, not an emergency, out on Tuesday, back to work on the next Monday. Just a little sore when sitting up (pulling up) from a reclining position in the recliner, very easy recovery.

 

[Goofyluver]

I was up and around in a few days. I had weight restrictions for a few weeks afterwards.

 

[momof1princess]

i had my gallbladder removed laproscopically in 1996. surgery was on a friday morning, i went home that evening, was back to work on monday without pain meds. i was sore for about a week after that, but nothing unbearable.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

I had my gallbladder out last March. It actually went well. I was out of it for a good day ... but I think that was due to the anesthesia.

I had to take it easy for about 3 days, but was back to work in a week. I probably should have taken a few more days off (I teach), but I had it done over my spring break and didn't want to take more days off. In hindsight, I should have taken a couple of more days off. I would just come home from work and take a 2 hour nap. My body was telling me to rest.

 

[burberryplaid]

I had it done in 2007. I went home the same day and wasn't in too much pain. I did get tired easily. I was back at work in 10 days and felt 100% in about 2 weeks. My advice is to walk after surgery to help with gas pain/pressure.

Overall, it was better than living with the pain of a gall bladder attack.

Good luck!

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I had mine out in october. I stayed overnight in the hospital. I was much better within a week. The first few days are hard because you're really sore and bloated but each day is much better than the last.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I took off work for a week, but I could have gone back after 4 days. As far as surgeries go, this isn't a bad one. How little are the little ones? I don't remember how long before I could lift normally.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I took two weeks off work, and needed it. Several people told me that based on their own experience, I might need up to a month off but but the end of the second week, I felt much better.

Everyone is different and will heal in their own time. You only have one chance to heal correctly-I would tell her to not push it before she is ready.

 

[spacemountainmom]

I had it done when I was in my early 30's and had two little ones. My husband took the day off of my surgery and that was it. I was a SAHM and took it easier for a few days, but didn't need any help or anything like that.

My sister had it done a year later and was sick as humanly possibly for the next four days. She did not react well to the anesthesia drugs. I had to go take care of her as she literally could not get out of bed without assistance. It's a good things that she didn't have any kids at that point.

I guess it depends on the person. Hope all goes well!

 

[ols386]

It took me about two weeks, but I had a complication after the surgery. If it wouldn't have been for that, I think I could have gone back to work in less than a week, for sure.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I had mine out that way 1 1/2 years ago. I was only off work a week.

I watched what I ate the first month after the surgery but went back to my regular diet after that.

I still have to watch rich foods.


TC

 

[kwelch10377]

Had mine out last Feb and was back to work within a week. You do need to be very carful about lifting things for at least 3-4 weeks. After about a week and a half I felt ok and wasn't sore so I decided to carry a laundry basket downstairs to the basement to do laundry. Big Mistake! I went from being in no more pain to more pain than I was in the first few days after surgery. The dr said while I wasn't sore anymore I was still healing inside and I aggravated things.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I had mine out in December 2005, on a Thursday morning. I had planned to be back to work on Monday, so I went to church Sunday morning and after 15 minutes asked DH to take me home. I think I went back to work on Thursday.

I don't know if it was the anesthesia or what (because I don't think it was the pain), but I was just off balance and felt "off", not functioning properly. I hadn't expected it, as I usually don't have a problem in terms of pain, etc.

 

[ols386]

Had mine out last Feb and was back to work within a week. You do need to be very carful about lifting things for at least 3-4 weeks. After about a week and a half I felt ok and wasn't sore so I decided to carry a laundry basket downstairs to the basement to do laundry. Big Mistake! I went from being in no more pain to more pain than I was in the first few days after surgery. The dr said while I wasn't sore anymore I was still healing inside and I aggravated things.

That's a very good point. You can't overdo it too soon, or you will feel it.

 

[sdjen]

Thanks everyone. I will pass on the info. She has a 2 and 4 YO. Her parents are coming to help for a few days so they can help with the lifting, etc... Hopefully she can take it easy and heal fast!

 

[JLTraveling]

My mom had hers out in the early '90s. Spent the previous night in the hospital, had the procedure super-early AM (maybe 6:30 or 7:00?). Released just after lunch and was at the MK by late afternoon!

People told her she was crazy, but she said the walking really helped with the gas/bloating. She skipped the roller coasters, but did Splash Mountain. We took it a little slower/easier than usual, and Mom ate pretty lightly, but she was fine.

That was a Friday, and she was back at work (in mental health day treatment, lots of hands-on with clients) on Monday. Back to a normal diet (plus lots of things she couldn't eat with the gallbladder troubles) in less than a week.

I think Mom did have lifting restrictions for a week or so. With two kids that age, it's not a bad idea to have help for a few days.

 

[Crystal0608]

I had mine out last May. I had my appendix out 2 months prior so my cut was a little bigger than normal. I was cut from my belly button up, a horizontal cut under my bra line, and a few other cuts on my right side. I went in as an outpatient around 6am and was home before lunch. I slept 5-6 hours, took more pain meds, ate (HAVE to with the vicodin or tummy pain), and was back asleep. This was on a Tuesday and I had to be back at work Monday and I was back at work a week after my appendix and I HURT, so Wed, Thurs, and Friday I went to Walmart (a/c) and slowly walked the whole store holding on to the buggy. The walking really helped working out the soreness. The ride to and from was the worst, had to recline. I bought a few pairs of granny stretchy pull on capris since I couldn't stand the waistband touching my vertical staples and wore them babies to work for the next few weeks. I had to sleep on my back surrounded by pillows. have a slight allergy reaction to the staples (red, swelling) so if that occurs, the dr may pull them and butterfly the incision if it's healed enough. I was fine in a few weeks.

 

[VAN]

I had a gallbladder attack and was referred to a specialist who scheduled me for surgery 4 weeks out. In that time, he wanted me to watch my diet in the hopes that the gallbladder would "settle down."

It did and he was able to do the surgery laproscopically.

Only out of work 4 days.

I think that had the gallbladder been inflamed, it might have been more complicated.

1-1/2 weeks after this surgery, I had a scheduled hysterectomy. When it rains, it pours!! LOL.