Recovery from laproscopic gall bladder removal?

[javaj]

The surgeon has scheduled DH's laproscopic gall bladder surgery for the day before we leave for WDW. Sigh. I told DH I think we should just move our trip to January (next available time we can travel). But we've both heard from friends that recovery from the procedure isn't really that bad. So he's wondering if he can just mostly relax at the resort the first few days, or change his outbound flight to leave 2 or 3 days after us, giving him a few days recovery time at home.

He is a little leery of canceling since:
1. our DVC points would expire, too late to bank so we'd have to figure something out in order to not waste our 07 points
2. airline change fees
3. family's traveling with us
4. non-refundable MVMCP tickets
5. non-refundable Wiggles concert tickets in Tampa
6. 3 non-refundable priceline hotel nights in Tampa

So has anyone had this surgery? Could you have gone to WDW right after???

Slight edit because I know others only read the original post - Surgeon did give him the go-ahead to travel, and I'm just trying to get some ideas of personal experiences from those that know WDW. Also, he's totally okay with just relaxing at the resort a whole bunch. So the main question we're asking ourselves -- would it be a stretch having him fly out about 3 days later then just relaxing at the resort and going out for meals? We've been there enough times so he thinks he'd be pretty happy doing that, but I just want to make sure he wouldn't be over-extending himself.

Thanks for any input!!!

UPDATED ON WHAT WE DECIDED: POST #40

 

[rwdavis2]

It takes at least a week. Don't even think about traveling the day after. He'll still be experiencing the affects of the anesthesia (no energy, sleepy). I had it done about 6 years ago. It took me a good 7-8 days to be back to 100%. But this surgery is elective and can be put off. How bad and how often are the attacks? I lived with them for about 2 years before I had the surgery.

But ask the doctor. Is your DH in good physical condition, not overweight, exercises? That may help. But, again, ask the doctor.
Sorry,
Bob

 

[Mom2Nick]

Nope - don't do it. Recovery is very easy - but not easy enough that you can hop on a plane the next day and go on vacation. Yes you can go about your business within a few days to a week - but that's gong back to normal life - NOT going on an exhausting vacation. Either tell the DR about the vacation and move the surgery or move the vacation.

 

[javaj]

It takes at least a week. Don't even think about traveling the day after. He'll still be experiencing the affects of the anesthesia (no energy, sleepy). I had it done about 6 years ago. It took me a good 7-8 days to be back to 100%. But this surgery is elective and can be put off. How bad and how often are the attacks? I lived with them for about 2 years before I had the surgery.

But ask the doctor. Is your DH in good physical condition, not overweight, exercises? That may help. But, again, ask the doctor.
Sorry,
Bob

Hey, thanks for input! We did ask the Doctor about traveling -- and they said that it was okay, but it was up to DH obviously, and they warned him that he could still be in pain. He has 2 gall stones and has had pain on and off the last few years, but it has escalated over the last couple of weeks. They did blood work and it showed that his levels were good, all within normal range, so it could wait a little bit. But based on DH's pain, he wanted to do it sooner rather than later. And due to work, that was the earliest week that he could accommodate.

 

[daisax]

My coworker had the exact same thing Weds and she'll be back at work on Monday. But I agree -- that's not the same as the next day leaving for a strenuous (and no matter how fun, WDW vacations are strenuous) vacation.

If he truly, truly wants to go and just hang out in the hotel so the rest of the family doesn't lose out on the nonrefundable stuff, and goes with the expectation that he's simply exchanging recuperation at home for recuperation in a hotel room at WDW... maybe. But it will take a lot of resolution to get there and not want to go go go!

 

[javaj]

Nope - don't do it. Recovery is very easy - but not easy enough that you can hop on a plane the next day and go on vacation. Yes you can go about your business within a few days to a week - but that's gong back to normal life - NOT going on an exhausting vacation. Either tell the DR about the vacation and move the surgery or move the vacation.

Thanks for that input!

Just a question for anyone who has had this surgery - would it be a stretch having him fly out about 3 days later then just relaxing at the resort and going out for meals? We've been there enough times so he thinks he'd be pretty happy doing that, but I just want to make sure he wouldn't be over-extending himself.

The kids and I would spend time with other family members at the parks...

 

[javaj]

If he truly, truly wants to go and just hang out in the hotel so the rest of the family doesn't lose out on the nonrefundable stuff, and goes with the expectation that he's simply exchanging recuperation at home for recuperation in a hotel room at WDW... maybe. But it will take a lot of resolution to get there and not want to go go go!

You know what's funny is sometimes I think he'd prefer to relax in the room during a lot of our trips! I don't know if I want him getting used to this

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I had mine out in Aug. I am a young healthy person and there is no way I could have gone on a trip! I thought the recovery would be easy and I would be able to go to a picnic 4 days later. No way. The meds, which I had to take for 4 days b/c of the pain, made me really tired and loopy. I could not get up out of bed w/o my husband helping me. I could not stand up for very long. Sitting in a chair was painful. On day 6 I was able to go to a small store with my mom for an hour, then I was exhausted. I don't want to be so negative, but the recovery isn't that easy for everyone. I did not have gallstones, just an inflamed gall bladder. I am glad I had it out and feel better now. I would just postpone the trip.

 

[goofy!]

The surgeon has scheduled DH's laproscopic gall bladder surgery for the day before we leave for WDW. Sigh. I told DH I think we should just move our trip to January (next available time we can travel). But we've both heard from friends that recovery from the procedure isn't really that bad. So he's wondering if he can just mostly relax at the resort the first few days, or change his outbound flight to leave 2 or 3 days after us, giving him a few days recovery time at home.

He is a little leery of canceling since:
1. our DVC points would expire, too late to bank so we'd have to figure something out in order to not waste our 07 points
2. airline change fees
3. family's traveling with us
4. non-refundable MVMCP tickets
5. non-refundable Wiggles concert tickets in Tampa
6. 3 non-refundable priceline hotel nights in Tampa

So has anyone had this surgery? Could you have gone to WDW right after???

Thanks for any input!!!

I had mine done on Thursday, July 3rd. Mine was not elective. Met the surgeon Wednesday afternoon, was in the OR on Thursday morning. After the surgery, the surgeon said I came within a day of having to do full open surgery. And one of my gallstones was one of the biggest he had ever removed, so it was not an easy surgery.

The surgery was at 7:30am, I was home by 3pm. They did say most patients choose to stay in the hospital overnight, but that was due to just wanting to rest and there was no medical reason to stay. So, I was out of there as soon as they let me go.

By 5pm, I was on our porch having drinks (mine non-alcoholic, darn) with our neighbors.

I did cancel our 4th of July party the next day, but in retrospect, I could have easily had it.

I was very sleepy the next day, but I could have slept just as well on a plane as I did on our couch.

I was sore for a few days, but nothing major. I never needed the vicoden the doctor prescribed and just took an advil every few hours.

That Saturday, (2 days post-op), I scored a 7 hour swim meet (6am - 1pm), outside in the hot Colorado sun, with no problems and then went out to dinner that evening.

I definitely could have gone on vacation the next day and relaxed in the hotel room or around the pool for a couple of days.

My only concern would be travelling so far from my doctors in case an infection set in or there were complications.

I think this is a decision best made between your husband, you and your physician, as some doctors are a bit more cautious than mine was. I had no restrictions on anything, food, driving -except for normal anesthetic rules, showering or activities. Also, as you can tell from the different posts here, everybody reacts differently to pain and healing, so you won't have any idea how DH will react until after the surgery. I would say my recovery was more the exception than the rule.

 

[javaj]

I think this is a decision best made between your husband, you and your physician, as some doctors are a bit more cautious than mine was. I had no restrictions on anything, food, driving -except for normal anesthetic rules, showering or activities.

goofy! - Thanks for your sharing your experience. I know each person's recovery is different, but it is nice to hear that yours was fairly easy. The surgeon has already given DH the go-ahead for travel, but I was just trying to get some DIS-information We'll probably ponder this over the weekend and decide what to do on Monday...

 

[goofy!]

goofy! - Thanks for your sharing your experience. I know each person's recovery is different, but it is nice to hear that yours was fairly easy. The surgeon has already given DH the go-ahead for travel, but I was just trying to get some DIS-information We'll probably ponder this over the weekend and decide what to do on Monday...

Good luck! For me, I wouldn't hesitate to go on vacation. But it would really depend on how your DH will react. You can probably get a good idea by looking at how he handles other illnesses like flus and colds and then realize that surgery would be a bit more taxing.

 

[joviroxx]

I had mine out last September. Had it on a thursday and was back to work that Monday. But I would not have been able to do a strenous trip. It took me a bit to get my energy back and I would tire easily. I was up and around doing everything and had no restrictions but my energy wasnt.

I would have gone for a relaxing "hang around the pool" vacation but not so sure walking in the parks for hours on end would have been fun. But I agree with others, its a call with the dr.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks for that input!

Just a question for anyone who has had this surgery - would it be a stretch having him fly out about 3 days later then just relaxing at the resort and going out for meals? We've been there enough times so he thinks he'd be pretty happy doing that, but I just want to make sure he wouldn't be over-extending himself.

The kids and I would spend time with other family members at the parks...

If your doctor said its okay, that says a lot. I had the surgery and when I had it, I had just given birth four weeks earlier. I can tell you I was shocked at how quickly I recovered. I too had no restrictions and I had a four week old baby to come home to. My husband and mom were both out of sick time and it was up to me to care for my son and all that entailed. On little to no sleep! Oh and I came home and Thanksgiving was a week later and we had a ton of family coming in. So it was just a busy time. I never did really get a time once I got home to rest and relax and recover. But I did fine.

Now all that said, I don't think I would have necessarily wanted to go to WDW and do a vacation that was all about parks and rides. But I could have definitely done a vacation with lots of relaxation built in. If you can wait to fly out three days later, and he can relax at the resort and go out for meals, that sounds pretty good. Doing that may in fact be more relaxing for him than being at home! Heck, he can get on a bus and go to a park to sit on a bench, watch people and do things like the TTA. There is a lot at WDW that is not about lines and climbing in and out of ride vehicles that would strain him.

In the end its between you, your husband and the doctor.

Good luck, I hope it all works out!

 

[jbthi]

I was in my mid fifties when I had mine out. They made me stay overnight because I was a diabetic. I had no problems, I could have gone the next day to DW. I missed four days of work because that was what had been planned but I could have gone back sooner. Not saying I didn't have any aches or pains but nothing severe.

My daughter had hers out a few years later. She was so sick for several days. Extremely nauseous. She carried a pail around the house with her.

So everyone is different. He may plan to go and then not feel like it.

 

[arminnie]

I had mine done on Thursday, July 3rd. Mine was not elective. Met the surgeon Wednesday afternoon, was in the OR on Thursday morning. After the surgery, the surgeon said I came within a day of having to do full open surgery. And one of my gallstones was one of the biggest he had ever removed, so it was not an easy surgery.

The surgery was at 7:30am, I was home by 3pm. They did say most patients choose to stay in the hospital overnight, but that was due to just wanting to rest and there was no medical reason to stay. So, I was out of there as soon as they let me go.

By 5pm, I was on our porch having drinks (mine non-alcoholic, darn) with our neighbors.

I did cancel our 4th of July party the next day, but in retrospect, I could have easily had it.

I was very sleepy the next day, but I could have slept just as well on a plane as I did on our couch.

I was sore for a few days, but nothing major. I never needed the vicoden the doctor prescribed and just took an advil every few hours.

That Saturday, (2 days post-op), I scored a 7 hour swim meet (6am - 1pm), outside in the hot Colorado sun, with no problems and then went out to dinner that evening.

I definitely could have gone on vacation the next day and relaxed in the hotel room or around the pool for a couple of days.

My only concern would be travelling so far from my doctors in case an infection set in or there were complications.

I think this is a decision best made between your husband, you and your physician, as some doctors are a bit more cautious than mine was. I had no restrictions on anything, food, driving -except for normal anesthetic rules, showering or activities. Also, as you can tell from the different posts here, everybody reacts differently to pain and healing, so you won't have any idea how DH will react until after the surgery. I would say my recovery was more the exception than the rule.

My 50 year old sister had hers out last month. I took care of her so I am very aware of her recovery. it sounds very, very similar to goofy's so I won't repeat all of the details.

She was not having an acute gallbladder attack but she did have a HUGE stone. She went home (from my house) after about 48 hours and was driving and had a house guest.

Flying out a few days after surgery and relaxing in the room really should not be a problem.

Will there be anyone with him the first couple of days after surgery (if you leave earlier) just in case there are any problems?

 

[TEENEE]

When my mom had hers out I caught her sweeping the porch a few days after the surgery. I didn't think she should be doing that but she said she felt fine. Everyone heals differently.

 

[shortbun]

My sister and my SIL both were back at work in four days. They are sissies too! I think I'd order a wheelchair transfer for him at the airport and maybe even an ECV to get around the first couple of days. That way he could do what he feels like doing and have easy transitions. We've done ECV's in the past for old farts and after surgery type people; they are wonderful and make it possible for everyone to keep up and enjoy the kiddies.

 

[Magix]

I had mine out probably 6 years ago and did go to Disneyland (but, I'm a local) for a few hours a couple days later, but I had my mom push me around in a wheelchair. I wouldn't have wanted to try to lug baggage around or deal with doing a lot of walking and going on rides. Once the initial pain is gone, you still have to deal with the tightness of the incision areas. My mid-section felt like it was very tight and I couldn't stand up fully.

If someone else handles his luggage and he can just sleep on the plane and not do anything strenuous, he might be okay. But, I wouldn't really advise visiting WDW as the best thing to do to recover from surgery. It's just asking for a problem to occur. Better to give his body time to rest and recover fully.

 

[A4Disney]

I was only 23 when I had mine out Laporscopically I definitely couldn't have gone to WDW(or wanted to)that soon.It took a week to feel normal.

 

[krcit]

I had an easy recovery also but everyone is differant. It's a big risk. Are you going to be comfortable leaving him home alone if he is feeling really lousy? I don't think I would risk it. I would either try to schedule a new surgery day or find another Dr that could do it at a sooner date. Good luck.