Question for those that have had their gallbladder removed

[kwelch10377]

I am getting my gallbladder removed on 2/18 and wanted to hear what experiences people had with recovery. I am having the laparoscopic procedure done. I want to know how long before you were able to go back to work, what eating restrictions you had the first few days after surgery and any other info you would like to share.

My doctor did go over some of this with me, but I would like to hear from people who have had it done.

Thanks!

 

[kimblebee]

I had mine done a few years ago. It took 2-3 days for me to get back on my feet and then I had to be careful for a few more days because they only taped my incisions. No stitches or staples. The first night I slept in a chair only so I wouldn't accidentally roll over on the incisions. I am allergic to codeine so I didn't have anything stronger than tylenol for the pain and I remember that being enough. Good luck with your surgery.

 

[ilovedisney1]

My sister is going to have this done. We would both like to know anything about it.

 

[Kimberly815]

I had this done on 12/22/09 (laparoscopic). They removed the gall bladder with no problem that day, but noticed that I had a stone in the bile duct. So they admitted me into the hospital. I felt pretty good that night. On 12/23/09, they did an ERCP (I forget what it stands for, but they went down my throat) to get the stone out. That was more difficult. I had my follow up appointment on 12/31/09 and was feeling pretty good by that day. I was cleared to go back to work. I think my recovery took longer due to the two procedures.

Have to run, but will be back tomorrow if you have any more questions.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I had mine done a few years ago. It took 2-3 days for me to get back on my feet and then I had to be careful for a few more days because they only taped my incisions. No stitches or staples. The first night I slept in a chair only so I wouldn't accidentally roll over on the incisions. I am allergic to codeine so I didn't have anything stronger than tylenol for the pain and I remember that being enough. Good luck with your surgery.

I had mine out laprascopically (sp?) and was also allergic to codeine. Tylenol worked fine for me too. It took me about 3 days to feel like walking around, the incision in my belly button was still pretty tender. I wasn't allowed to drive for I think a week though. I was feeling back to myself 100% by a month out from surgery. I'd say the first 2 weeks were the most tender but it didn't really stop me from doing stuff. In the hospital they only let me have that bland diet stuff...broth, jello, tea until I was able to pass gas. Then they let me eat what I wanted to. I did have a lot of pain in my shoulder which was related to the gas they pump into your abdomen for the surgery. It only lasted about 2 days and went away. I was surprised by how quickly they do this surgery and how quickly I felt better. I'm sure yours will go smoothly! Good luck!

 

[shelbys mommy]

I had mine done a few years ago. Recovery time was 2-3 days. I was told to eat low fat foods for the first few weeks to get my body adjusted. I followed it & now everything works fine. And the loritabs for pain were wonderful! hahaha

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I was in the hospital over night and released the next day. Recovery was about 2-3 days, but I was out of work for 2 weeks per my doctor. It was just his recommendation as he didn't want me developing a hernia.

 

[lovepurple]

I had mine out in November. They also repaired a hernia that I didn't even know I had. I was extremely sore at the belly button incision I think moreso due to the hernia repair. It's funny that I didn't have pain or know I had a hernia, but once they repaired it I had a lot of pain. The other incisions healed pretty rapidly. I had surgery on a Wednesday and was working by the next Monday. But mostly sitting at a computer at work. The first few days I didn't want to eat much besides jello because my throat was really sore from the tube that they put down my throat. I try to avoid anything too greasy now but other than that my diet hasn't changed much at all.

 

[momof1princess]

i had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically in 1996. surgery was on friday, i was discharged friday evening, and went back to work on monday. i was pretty sore, but did fine. good luck

 

[englishteacha]

I had mine out December 10, 2008. My surgeon told me not to return to work till after Christmas, but I went in for a half day before vacation. I wanted to see my students! One thing to be careful of is that your outsides will feel pretty good, but your insides are still healing, so you do need to take it easy.

I find that I'm still having a bit of trouble with indigestion and heartburn that I didn't have before surgery. I'm in the minority, though. I know a dozen people who have had theirs out and have no problems at all.

 

[MickeySP]

Had mine done many many years ago. It was supposed to lap but a stone had slipped down to far.

I was lost about 20lbs(nice) but was up & around in 7 days. I even went to Disney on Ice 10 days later.

I had lap for another surgery and was back at work a week later. I could not lift anything over 5lbs for about a month and had some pulling pain at the incision site.

Just follow the no bending rule - that really hurts. You gotta remember that even though you may only have 3 or 5 small puncture type wounds outside. You still had trauma inside.

 

[Piecey]

I had mine out in July.

Recovery wasn't bad at all- my biggest issue was that I was still recovering from a c-section in June so when they pumped me full of all that air to do it lapriscopically it irritated my c-section incision.

I got to the hospital at 6am, was in the OR about 7:30, home by noon!

It's not bad at all.

 

[mikron]

I am getting my gallbladder removed on 2/18 and wanted to hear what experiences people had with recovery. I am having the laparoscopic procedure done. I want to know how long before you were able to go back to work, what eating restrictions you had the first few days after surgery and any other info you would like to share.

My doctor did go over some of this with me, but I would like to hear from people who have had it done.

Thanks!

Had mine out along with my lift kidney in 2005. Laparoscopic also and it was painless. Healed and back to work in two weeks.

 

[kwelch10377]

Thanks everyone for letting me know what your experiences have been. I am pretty nervous about having the surgery since I have never had any type of surgery before.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

Home same day as surgery. Had it done on a Friday, took it a bit easy over the weekend, but really no need to. I did go to one of the kid's sporting events over the weekend without a problem and back to work on Monday, no worse for the wear.

Doc doesn't believe in any food restrictions. I had no problems at all and can to this day eat anything without any consequences.

 

[Riverhill]

Had mine out in 1989. I was 19 years old. Since then I need to avoid fatty foods or else it will cause problems.(stay near the rest room). Everyone I've talked to who had this surgery has the same problem. The actual recovery wasn't bad. I was in college and back to classes within a week.

 

[Schmeck]

Had mine out last August, laproscopically. The fasting-after-midnight part made me very weak/dizzy before the surgery, which was in the afternoon. Even with anti-nausea medication right before the surgery I was very nauseous when I came to. They actually knocked me out again at that point, as it was so painful for me as I wanted to vomit but it hurt too much to try.

Once I got moved to a regular room, I was in a lot of pain. The gas they used to inflate my abdomen settled in my upper chest and even though I got up and walked around as much as I could, the pain was severe. They kept me overnight, and I even got morphine shots. (Morphine is my friend )

I had to be discharged late in the morning, as my insurance would only cover a 23 hour stay. So they wheeled me to the door and dumped me in the car. Hubby got to take me home and deal with me for two days of moderate bedrest.

I was only told to introduce solid food slowly, but I just made sure I avoided fatty stuff for a few weeks. I did have 1% milk and some chocolate two days after surgery, and was happy to have no reaction to them at all.

I still get odd internal twinges, the incisions are healed quite nicely (once I got some help at work after I stupidly did too much - my own fault!) and I eat fried clams on occasion without a problem.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Before I read everyone else's replies, I'll add mine.

I was rushed to the hospital on Christmas day with pains that I thought would kill me and after many tests, I was scheduled for an emergency surgery to removed my gall bladder on 12/17.

It was so painful, I couldn't wait for them to rip me open. But I just had the laproscopic surgery and it took just over an hour. The surgeon found some serious infections from the gall bladder failing/dying so the procedure took longer than expected. He said it was one of the worst cases he's seen in a while.

The surgery was at 8 am and I was walking ever-so-gently by around 7 pm. I apparently don't heal well or quick. This was my first hosptial stay and first surgery, so I didn't know what to expect.

They sent me home the next morning and I felt like I wasn't ready to go home yet. I had trouble just getting up from a sitting position but I worked through that. I couldn't sleep very well for about three days after the surgery, too. I was just uncomfortable all the way around.

So here is it now 1/20 and the guys here at work still refuse to allow me to lift anything. My husband barely allowed me to drive (seriously REFUSED to let me and insisted he did everything) just this weekend.

The two holes I had on my tummy are turning into lovely scars and you can see where the staples were inserted. I had a total of 10 staples. I was so afraid of having the staples removed, but you really don't feel anythng except a tiny pinch.

Bring a sleep mask to the hospital if you are over-nighting it. I couldn't sleep with all of the lights and action going on.

ETA: I had no food restrictions after, but was put on a clear liquid diet the two days before my surgery.

I went in on 12/25, surgery on 12/27, and they let me back to work on 1/4/10, but keep in mind it was during the holidays so I had more time available to me to relax and feel better without rushing back to work.

I've noticed I burped a little bit more the week or so after it. Odd.

I was given Vicodin for the pain and took them regularly (4x a day) unitl day 4 after the surgery. The infected bits were VERY painful.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I got mine out 10-12-09. I went to the ER with pain and was admitted! I was off work 1 week. Although I went back to work after the 1st week, I was pretty tired for a couple of weeks afterwards. I was also afraid to eat after the surgery, for fear I would have another attack. I stayed on a low fat diet for about a month but gradually resumed a normal diet. By Thanksgiving I ate what I wanted. I have had no problems.

I have to add that before my gall bladder attack I was having trouble with bloating and keeping my weight down. I wasn't over weight but had a few lbs. I just couldn't seem to lose. Now, since having the gall bladder removed, I have lost weight and I seem to be maintaining it! Here all this time I blamed it on going thru the change and it may have been a bad gall bladder!

I also have acid reflux and take Nexium for that.

TC

 

[Planogirl]

You might have stomach problems afterwards or you might not. I can't eat too much fatty food but that sensitivity has gradually decreased over time. Of course, I only eat fatty food once in a while or when on vacation but it was hard for a while.