OT, gallbladder surgery tomorrow! 8 days til we leave for the World!

[Neesy228]

After months of stomach problems, the doctors seem to have arrived at a concensus that I need to have my gallbladder out. Unfortuntely, they've arrived at this concensus 8 days out from the trip we've been planning for 6 months.
I'm hoping to delay the whole ordeal until after our trip -- we leave next Friday!! On the off chance that they won't let me delay the surgery, any chance someone can tell me that a week will be plenty of time to recover and head to Disney??

I'm so sad about the possibility of not being able to go. My kids will be crushed. Guess I just needed to vent....*sigh*

 

[AuroraBeauty]

My BFF had her gallbladder out last year and she had to take one day off of work. She had it done on a Friday and was back at work on Monday. Main issue is being exceptionally aware of what you eat.

I know that others here on the DIS will likely add to this b/c they were really helpful in finding out more about the whole gallbladder surgery/recover/afterlife.

Unless you are having major attacks, you should be able to delay your surgery for a short time. You should be able to delay it w/o much problem, but talk to your doctor. You didn't mention you were having major problems on a daily basis and it was affecting your ability to live normally. You'll just likely have to be aware of what you eat b/c you don't want to set off an attack while on vacation.

Be well and Best Wishes!

 

[Corjack]

I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopiclly(sp) and I was only out of it for about 2 days. It is a fairly easy procedure! Just take it easy until you leave. You will be fine!

There is NO WAY I would have postponed mine but I was having HORRIBLE attacks. You should be able to postpone it(unless it is in danger if rupturing) until you come back. The only thing is you run a rsik of having emergency surgery away from home!

Jackie

 

[MamaCoog]

I had to have my gallbladder taken out a few weeks after my son was born via c section. I had to have it done immediately because I was at the point where I could not eat or drink anything without excruciating pain. If you dont have frequent attacks then you may have the option to postpone the surgery. It is normally done as an outpatient procedure so you only stay in the hospital for a few hours after surgery. I was in the hospital for 3 days because we had to postpone my surgery until after I gave birth so some of the stones had come out and were blocking my pancreas from draining. For most people the recovery is pretty easy but I dont think you would be able to ride anything. You are not supposed to lift anything heavy and no unnecessary straining. Good luck with everything! I hope it all works out for you trip!

 

[DisneyBrat]

I had mine out with laproscopy(sp) and it took me about a week and a half to feel better. They kept me overnight for some reason. I felt REALLY good the next day when I came home and went with my mom to the drugstore then later that evening went to Target and rode the electric wheelchair around. BIG MISTAKE!!!! I thought I was dying the next several days If I were you unless the gallbladder is really dieseased or you are in danger for waiting I would have the it after the trip! I suffered for years with mine before they found out what was wrong.


Good Luck,
Lew

 

[JoliBug]

I can't say how quickly the recovery from surgery is, because I have not had mine removed. However mine is "non-functioning," as is my Mothers and she still has hers too. We both take a digestive enzyme (different brands) but it really helps both of us. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but if you are having a lot of problems and you Dr will wait until you get back, you might try picking up a bottle of a digestive enzyme to see if it will help a little bit while you are on vaca since several of the foods at Disney are GB problem triggering foods. I bought mine at a health food store (Not GNC type store) called Sunshine Health Foods.

 

[maymom96]

I had mine out in July. It was not functioning and the doctor feared that gangrene would set it. I was wisked off to surgery with hours notice.
Waking up and the next 24 hours were HORRIBLE for me. I couldn't breathe, I was in really bad pain and the gas pressure was bad. I was miserable but kept active to relieve the gas pressure.
Most cases, you can go home a few hours after surgery. But if they have to open you up, you will be in the hospital for several days and recovery is many weeks. You will also need to go back to the doctor about a week after surgery. If I were you, I would try to put off the surgery till after your trip.
Good luck!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I was kept overnight when mine was removed and was pretty much down for the first 24 hours. After that, I was feeling ok and getting around pretty well. My grandmother was really sick at that time (bone/brain cancer) and I was able to help her to the bathroom, dressing, etc.

My dd25 had hers removed a few years back outpatient - her's was non functioning as well. She came home a few hours after surgery and slept pretty much he rest of the day. The next day she was up and about.

If you would have the surgery before your trip, I would make sure I knew what I was/was not allowed to ride. Even if it's laproscopic - it's still surgery and you will still have incisions inside and out.

 

[foltzy]

I had mine out five weeks after my ds was born in 2007. It took me maybe 2 days to recover. I was up and about and taking care of two children with no problems. How good it felt to, to not be afraid an attack would come on when I was taking care of a newborn and at the time 2 year old.

 

[HGD24]

Before you decide to have the surgery right now or wait, find out if the surgeon sends you home with a drainage tube or not. I had one in for 4 or 5 days and it was not easy to do anything with that tube in. Once it was out, I was fine and was doing most things fairly easily.

I was having severe attacks and had to have mine out right away. If your's isn't severe and you think you can wait until after the trip, wait.

 

[Corjack]

I
Waking up and the next 24 hours were HORRIBLE for me. I couldn't breathe, I was in really bad pain and the gas pressure was bad. I was miserable but kept active to relieve the gas pressure.

I had a laparoscopic surgery before my gallbladder one and I had really bad gas pains too. They puff you up with air to get in there and move around and cannot get it all out. The secret to this is do NOT lay flat. Stay in a sitting position for like 24-36 hours. I slept sitting up on the couch the second time and was fine. The first time i laid down on my bed and went to sleep for a little bit and felt like i was dying when i woke up, I could not breath well or MOVE for that matter. Lesson learned! :lol:

My gall stones were pregnancy induced. So I just had stones no real threatening situation so my surgrey was scheduled like 2 weeks out.

 

[ScrapperBelle]

I had a really sudden, severe attack (no previous problems at all). They admitted me to the hospital and kept me on an antibiotic drip for one day & night before they would do surgery. The ultrasound pic wasn't clear whether or not mine had actually ruptured.

I'm only telling you this because I had a very severe case. Infection and inflammation to fight off as well as the surgery. I believe if I had a "normal" surgery I would have been able to go to WDW within a week. I would have had to take it a little easier than I normally do, but I honestly believe I would have been fine.

The main thing will be to watch what you eat. All of a sudden things that didn't bother you before will send you running for a restroom. Sorry to be gross, but that is definitely how I felt. I had the most problems with meat and raw or barely cooked veggies and fruits.

 

[angelat]

I would definitely say to wait if at all possible. Have they found stones, or is it badly diseased and in danger of bursting? That happened to my mother and she almost died. So if that is the case, then have it done ASAP. Mine was pretty well diseased and had multiple stones, but I only had it out after a major attack where I was vomiting and almost passed out from the pain.

The reason I say wait is because most surgeons have the intention of doing a laporoscopic procedure, but if the gallbladder disintigrates while they are trying to take it out, they will have to switch to a traditional surgery and you will have a major incision and pain. I had a laporoscopic procedure and after a week I was able to go back to work f/t. But I walk about a mile to get from where I park to where I sit, so I had to wait that long. I also had a collapsed lung because I couldn't breath properly from the pain I was experiencing.

You don't want to find yourself in too much pain half way through Epcot, or end up laying in the hotel while everyone else is trying to have fun without you. Find out from the doc what the risks are to postponing, if there are any at all.

Good luck!!

 

[Neesy228]

Update: They want me to have it out tomorrow...They're concerned about it affecting my pancreas. Prayers and/or positive thoughts would be wonderful.

I'm completely freaking out. Never had any kind of surgery before....

Thanks for all the information.

 

[angelat]

Well, I'll say a prayer for you that everything goes smoothly. You'll have a full week to recoup anyway. Do exactly as the docs tell you to help heal quickly. Don't over do it at home with cleaning etc. Your stitches should be out or disolved by then. You'll probably have one or two.

As a PP said, be sure to check with the doc regarding restrictions for rides. Pace yourself while you are there. Consider renting a wheelchair if you end up needing it.

Good luck with your surgery. You'll be fine.

 

[mejkjj97]

Sending prayers your way!

I had mine removed in July when my liver and pancreas were being impacted My blood levels were really really bad. I had emergency surgery at 10 pm and was home the next day by 2:30. I also had trouble with gas. After teh surgery in the middle of the night I was up watching tv and the gas got into my sholders. That was more painful than having my galbladder removed. I was up and about with little ot no issue within 3 days. I was not allowed to carry anything heavy for 3 weeks though.

You will feel a world better once it is out but take it easy on your trip.

Here is to a speedy recovery

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I second the idea about speaking with the doctor about rides. I'm sure you'll feel fine, but I can't imagine being able to ride Rock N Roller Coaster, ToT, Dinosaur -- anything that jostles you around.

 

[millerjmls]

Well, first of all it depends if you can have your "cholecystectomy" (gall bladder removal) done laparoscopically or not. If you have not had many or any abdominal surgeries in the past, it will probably be done this way. You may have referred gas pain to your shoulder which is common with this surgery and some people have some problems with nausea secondary to anesthesia. It is usually only an overnight stay in the hospital so you can go home the next morning. After you are home, you will not be able to do any heavy lifting, strenous exercise and you cannot drive while taking the pain medication which is usually a narcotic. You should be able to make the trip, but you will have to take it easy, take breaks/rest periods during the day and also closely watch your diet. You won't have staples on your "lap sites", they usually have paper tapes on them called steri strips and they will eventually fall off on their own. Swimming may not be permitted that soon out from your surgery. Your best bet is to talk to your surgeon about the pros and cons of waiting and having the surgery done now. Also, the extreme rides should probably be avoided.
Good Luck to you.

 

[HGD24]

Update: They want me to have it out tomorrow...They're concerned about it affecting my pancreas. Prayers and/or positive thoughts would be wonderful.

I'm completely freaking out. Never had any kind of surgery before....

Thanks for all the information.

Sending positive and calming thoughts your way!

 

[Stitch76]

I would not have the procedure postponed if you are having problems, the last thing you want is an attack while you are on vacation. (Mine were so bad I thought I was dying.)
I had my gb removed (liproscopically), and I spent one night in the hospital (I had some problems coming out of the anesthesia). The procedure was done on a Thursday, and on Saturday my DH and I drove 6 hours to Georgia to see my Mom. Other than being sore for a few days (felt like I did 1,000 stomach crunches), I didn't have any problems.
If you take it easy up until the trip, and don't tear any of the steristrips or inside stitchs loose in the days immediately following the procedure, I don't believe you will have any problems on your vacation.